Options for new build

HappyAsLarE

Hi,

I am seeking advice for a new build (already finished).

There are a total of 9 satellite (CT100) cables ran from the various tv points in the house all back to a central enclosure box.

I want free to air satellite and Saorview terrestrial at 3 locations for now, 2 of which would be good to have 2 satellite feeds for watching/recording. These 2 tv points have 2 cables. The other location has a single cable run.

All locations have CAT5e ran back to the same central enclosure.

Can I do anything smart like having a server type satellite/terrestrial receiver box in the central location and use the CAT5e runs to feed the video to the TVs?

Or is a triple tuner box at each point the best solution?

Johnboy1951

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Hi,

I am seeking advice for a new build (already finished).

There are a total of 9 satellite (CT100) cables ran from the various tv points in the house all back to a central enclosure box.

I want free to air satellite and Saorview terrestrial at 3 locations for now, 2 of which would be good to have 2 satellite feeds for watching/recording. These 2 tv points have 2 cables. The other location has a single cable run.

All locations have CAT5e ran back to the same central enclosure.

Can I do anything smart like having a server type satellite/terrestrial receiver box in the central location and use the CAT5e runs to feed the video to the TVs?

Or is a triple tuner box at each point the best solution?

Yes you can.

Check out the HTPC forum for many posts on such set ups.

HappyAsLarE

Thanks.

They seem to involve using apps/http to view the served up content. Ugh.

Is a better solution to use boxes at each tv point? Ignoring cost for a sec.

HappyAsLarE

Thoughts on this solution:

http://www.techfit.ie/distributing-sky-hd-and-hd-devices-via-a-hd-matrix/

Sends the box output over the network rather than using a client app.

Johnboy1951

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Thanks.

They seem to involve using apps/http to view the served up content. Ugh.

Is a better solution to use boxes at each tv point? Ignoring cost for a sec.

You did not read many threads if you came to that conclusion!

My latest ramblings for instance
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057826211

HappyAsLarE

Johnboy1951 wrote: »

You did not read many threads if you came to that conclusion!

My latest ramblings for instance
https://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2057826211

Wow thanks, will read in detail.

Johnboy1951

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Wow thanks, will read in detail.

There are other such threads ..... both by myself and others which relate to this type of set up.
You should be able to get almost all the info you need from them, and if any questions remain simply ask.

All stored media can also be served to all clients in a similar manner.
Recordings can be centralised also and available to all clients.

Clients can be any device with suitable software to play the streams. I use Kodi exclusively, as it keeps the user interface the same across all devices.

HappyAsLarE

Ok that was heavy reading :-)

I am struggling to understand the client end though. For me using Kodi is not viable - there are less techy people in the house. Besides I hate it also.

Is there a client setup that will mimick the user experience and UI design (EPG with PIP) of a set top box? Can you post a screenshot of your TV guide perhaps?

Thanks

durtybit

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Ok that was heavy reading :-)

I am struggling to understand the client end though. For me using Kodi is not viable - there are less techy people in the house. Besides I hate it also.

Is there a client setup that will mimick the user experience and UI design (EPG with PIP) of a set top box? Can you post a screenshot of your TV guide perhaps?

Thanks

Kodi when configured is relatively easy to use (comparable to any normal TV or set top box or even Netflix)

durtybit

If I was to do it again I would build a dedicated media server and stream all the channels. That way you only need a LAN connection at each TV point which can access all your live TV, downloaded films and music.

On any device including phones, TVs laptops and iPad/tablets.

Johnboy1951

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Ok that was heavy reading :-)

I am struggling to understand the client end though. For me using Kodi is not viable - there are less techy people in the house. Besides I hate it also.

Is there a client setup that will mimick the user experience and UI design (EPG with PIP) of a set top box? Can you post a screenshot of your TV guide perhaps?

Thanks

Kodi has one of the most user-friendly GUI interfaces I have seen.
You decide which 'skin' you prefer, some of which are quite feature-rich as you seem to want.

I prefer a simple interface as it is more suited to the users here.
Presently I use Estuary skin.




My clients are a mixture of small dedicated devices and other LAN connected devices, such as
Tanix
R-Pi
NUC
Smart phone
Tablet
Laptop
Desktop PC

In my case all run Kodi which integrates very well with tvheadend using Addons.
So regardless which manner a user wishes to view Live TV or a stored recording or movie, there is a consistent interface.

Kodi is indeed viable.
But if you do not wish to use it, then use something else that will provide the interface you want.

HappyAsLarE

Thank you so much that clears up a lot of my misunderstanding. More research needed.

HappyAsLarE

Ok, I need to take you up on your offer of me asking for clarification after a lot of reading.

I will install a satellite dish with Octo LNB feeding into something. What do I feed the tuners into?
I understand that I could have a Unicable LNB allowing a single cable run but I’d like conventional runs from LNB to allow me to use my existing set top boxes temporarily while moving in.

I will have a UHF aerial feeding into a HDHomeRun box. Is that correct?

I will then set up a Tvheadend server inc. hard disk for recording.

All three devices (Sat tuner box, HDHomeRun box and Tvheadend server) will simply connect to a gigabit switch. None connect to each other. They all communicate over TCP/IP. Is that correct?

I will then use some cheapo android boxes (or even RaspPi) at the tv points with Kodi installed. These will connect to network switch using CAT5e.

Re Kodi, can I configure it with a skin that will auto boot into the EPG? I want to simulate a standard box.

Also, is the EPG on Kodi configured and stored on the Kodi client box or is it served from Tvheadend?

Think that is enough for now :-D

durtybit

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Ok, I need to take you up on your offer of me asking for clarification after a lot of reading.

I will install a satellite dish with Octo LNB feeding into something. What do I feed the tuners into?
I understand that I could have a Unicable LNB allowing a single cable run but I’d like conventional runs from LNB to allow me to use my existing set top boxes temporarily while moving in.

I will have a UHF aerial feeding into a HDHomeRun box. Is that correct?

I will then set up a Tvheadend server inc. hard disk for recording.

All three devices (Sat tuner box, HDHomeRun box and Tvheadend server) will simply connect to a gigabit switch. None connect to each other. They all communicate over TCP/IP. Is that correct?

I will then use some cheapo android boxes (or even RaspPi) at the tv points with Kodi installed. These will connect to network switch using CAT5e.

Re Kodi, can I configure it with a skin that will auto boot into the EPG? I want to simulate a standard box.

Also, is the EPG on Kodi configured and stored on the Kodi client box or is it served from Tvheadend?

Think that is enough for now :-D

So Octo is probably overkill. If you feed 4 into a TV card on the server you can pretty much watch up to 16 devices at once. Channels would be streamed over the lan to yes an android box would do.

If you want conventional backup run 2 satelite cables along with 2 cat6 cables to each TV area. No harm to do this anyway. (make sure the cat cables are solid copper as there is a lot of rubbish a out "CCA" being one )

Johnboy1951

HappyAsLarE wrote: »

Ok, I need to take you up on your offer of me asking for clarification after a lot of reading.

I will install a satellite dish with Octo LNB feeding into something. What do I feed the tuners into?

You answered this below ..... they become available on the network when connected to the network switch.
Remember the tuner boxes must have this capability; your standard set top box will mostly not have this capability, but there are a few that do.

I understand that I could have a Unicable LNB allowing a single cable run but I’d like conventional runs from LNB to allow me to use my existing set top boxes temporarily while moving in.

Yep, just as valid.
I use Unicable only to reduce coax runs needed from the dish into the house and because my tuner box is Unicable compliant.

I will have a UHF aerial feeding into a HDHomeRun box. Is that correct?

Yep

I will then set up a Tvheadend server inc. hard disk for recording.

Any attached storage media can be used, such as a NAS or server or USB HDD.

All three devices (Sat tuner box, HDHomeRun box and Tvheadend server) will simply connect to a gigabit switch. None connect to each other. They all communicate over TCP/IP. Is that correct?

Essentially they are all connected to each other through the switch ....
their ethernet cables go to the switch.

I will then use some cheapo android boxes (or even RaspPi) at the tv points with Kodi installed. These will connect to network switch using CAT5e.

Yes ...... every device is connected to the LAN.

Re Kodi, can I configure it with a skin that will auto boot into the EPG? I want to simulate a standard box.

Kodi is extremely configurable. Probably too much so for a lot of people who are not used to being able to make personal changes to their environment.
The default skin (Estuary) also has this selection available. You have a choice of many, such as Channel list; Channel Guide; Movies; etc etc.
So, yes you can make a choice on each device.

Also, is the EPG on Kodi configured and stored on the Kodi client box or is it served from Tvheadend?

In my case the server generates and stores the EPG and my selected channels. I order the list as I wish as I do not use any pre-defined numbering system.
You can choose what you wish.
Again, the user has choices.

Think that is enough for now :-D

no prob.

Digibit R1 ....... to switch
HDHomerun .... to switch
Tvheadend server .... to switch
Client devices .... to switch

The switch can be a standalone unit or part of a modem or such.
I use a separate switch, and then connect that switch back to the modem which provides internet access for those functions that require it ... such as getting fanart for stored movies and such.

Of course for initial use the tvheadend server is not required as the Digbit tuners will be accessible using HTTP/DLNA.

HappyAsLarE

Thanks lads, I’m getting a handle of the concept now!

HappyAsLarE

I’ve another conundrum:

It seems a bit cumbersome to have 3 boxes: HDHomeRun, Digabit and Tvheadend server.

Is there a single box solution?

Ten Pin

Possibly one of these...

http://www.gigablue.de/portfolio-category/4k-ultra-hdtv-receiver/

Has 8 demodulators for satellite and a twin terrestrial tuner. Also has SAT IP over LAN. You'd need one less client as this box would be connected to main TV.

dubrov

Ten Pin wrote: »

Possibly one of these...

http://www.gigablue.de/portfolio-category/4k-ultra-hdtv-receiver/

Has 8 demodulators for satellite and a twin terrestrial tuner. Also has SAT IP over LAN. You'd need one less client as this box would be connected to main TV.

I was looking at something like this. The Gigablue would receive a terrestrial and satellite feed (unicable) and make the channels available over SAT>IP. The Gigablue could do all the recordings and make them available to any client on the network via DLNA.

The bit I am not clear on is what clients are suitable for SAT>IP. Will newish TVs handle SAT>IP or KODI running on a RPi?
Also, I know the Gigablue can be setup to show a Freesat style EPG but can it serve this up over the network via SAT>IP?