Using PC as a TiVo VCR

[Don W. McCollough]

Hi,
I am currently building a PC as part of an entertainment center for
playing MP3s /CDs DVDs etc on my 32" TV. I have Toslink out of my
sound card for my amplifier, and my current (cheap) video card has
S-video/TV out. But I would also like to use it to record Cable
programs...essentially use it as a VCR. My current VCR makes stange
noises and is 12 years old .

So, I know I need a TV/capture tuner card. I've been looking at cheap
Kworld KW-878RF-PRO cards with Conexant chipsets. These seems decent
enough and come with nice remotes, but the bundled software that comes
with them only records MPEG 1&2.

Other than these, I'm looking at the MSI @nywhere TV Master cards
which have 10-bits video Analog to Digital converters and scheduling
software that supports MPEG 1,2 & 4 recording. The remote is a little
cheesy.

Or would it be better to ditch my current video card and buy an ATI
All-in-wonder video card and use its tuner to capture cable. Do the
All-in-wonders have program scheduling software? Do they support MPEG
4? Can I use a stand alone DVD player and use the All-in-wonder card
as a *pass through* to watch DVDs through my computer like one would
watch cable through a stand alone VCR?

(There are remotes for All-in-Wonders too!)

I know I can use Snapstream, but that alone is $65! Is there any
other option beside snapstream out there to schedule recordings?

What about USB options?

Thanks in advance. Lots of questions?

Don

 

[Gary Tait]

Hi,
I am currently building a PC as part of an entertainment center for
playing MP3s /CDs DVDs etc on my 32" TV. I have Toslink out of my
sound card for my amplifier, and my current (cheap) video card has
S-video/TV out. But I would also like to use it to record Cable
programs...essentially use it as a VCR. My current VCR makes stange
noises and is 12 years old .

So, I know I need a TV/capture tuner card. I've been looking at cheap
Kworld KW-878RF-PRO cards with Conexant chipsets. These seems decent
enough and come with nice remotes, but the bundled software that comes
with them only records MPEG 1&2.

Other than these, I'm looking at the MSI @nywhere TV Master cards
which have 10-bits video Analog to Digital converters and scheduling
software that supports MPEG 1,2 & 4 recording. The remote is a little
cheesy.

Or would it be better to ditch my current video card and buy an ATI
All-in-wonder video card and use its tuner to capture cable. Do the
All-in-wonders have program scheduling software? Do they support MPEG
4? Can I use a stand alone DVD player and use the All-in-wonder card
as a *pass through* to watch DVDs through my computer like one would
watch cable through a stand alone VCR?

Get something with partial or built in MPEG compression. Forget
anything with an 828 chip.

(There are remotes for All-in-Wonders too!)

I know I can use Snapstream, but that alone is $65! Is there any
other option beside snapstream out there to schedule recordings?

The bundled software.

Snapstream, AFAIK, includes the guide service.

What about USB options?

Forget it.

 

[ArchGriffin]

Get something with partial or built in MPEG compression. Forget
anything with an 828 chip.

The bundled software.

Snapstream, AFAIK, includes the guide service.


Forget it.

You might want to check out the freevo project

http://freevo.sourceforge.net/


They have a lot of information there on that sort of thing.
This is also a list of systems built for freevo that worked for other
users.

http://pvrhw.goldfish.org/tiki-pvrhwdb.php?
find=freevo&search=find&sort_mode=lmodified_desc

 

[WayneM]

Don,

I have a Leadtek Winfast 2000 XP deluxe that came with their own version of
PVR software. It has a remote and an FM tuner is included. The last time I
looked this card was available from www.newegg.com for around $45 and you
can check this link
www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_deluxe_1.html for more info on
the card

It can record in avi and mpeg 1 and 2 but it does have the Fusion version of
the 828 chipset. I have had trouble getting it to do timed recording, but
this is apparently something with my system because others don't seem to
have this problem. It records fine if you're sitting at the PC and select
record.

You do need a pretty fast system to use the TiVo like functions, the best
quality video and the most advanced compression. My system only has a 1000
Celeron; so I'm pretty much restricted to normal or good video and
uncompressed recording. Fortunately, I have a 120 GB 7200 rpm HDD as my
second drive.

I've looked at ShowShifter and SnapStream software but I didn't see that
there were any 'better' than the software that comes with the card.
ShowShifter integrates all your multimedia functions as long as you have the
software installed ( CD and DVD software ). I was able to do timed recording
with the ShowShifter software and that's why I think there must be some
conflict with the card software that prevents me from doing timed recording
with card software.

If you need anymore info either post here or replace the 'at' and 'dot' in
the email address.

Wayne

 

[Will Dormann]

I know I can use Snapstream, but that alone is $65! Is there any
other option beside snapstream out there to schedule recordings?

Maybe consider MythTV?

I set up an Asus Pundit as a MythTV box and it works great. Scheduled
recordings, time shifting, program guide... all sorts of stuff. Plus
add-ins to get weather forecasts, play MP3s, play videos, etc.

The software is free.


-WD

 

[AJ]

I know I can use Snapstream, but that alone is $65! Is there any
other option beside snapstream out there to schedule recordings?

Techtv did a round up and nothing on the market even comes close to
Tivo quality. I've had DirecTivo for years and would not settle for
less. The monthly fee of $5 is nothing to pay for such a great
service!.