Setting up a home made DVR

[Kamal]

Not interested in purchasing a TIVO and paying annual subscriptions.

So has anyone built one using a home PC + Windows XP MCE ? I'm in the process of building one (my next project) and so I'd welcome suggestions, comments, recommendations?

Ingredients?

1. PC (Got a fairly powerful one)
2. WIndows MCE (gonna buy one shortly). Any specific editions I need to know about?
3. Remote control. Probably the most crucial ingredient. I'm on the hunt for a suitable remote (not the butt ugly white dog bone shaped crap thats everywhere I search) and was wondering if anyone knew of any. Even better would be a Universal Remote that can also control your PC + MCE
4. TV Tuner card.
5. Cables

I know algy just got one setup and he's interfacing his XBOX with his PC, I DUG the fact that his XBOX remote even controls his MCE features which is a huge plus, but for those not looking to purchase a console, that's a very expensive controller.

Looking forward to help with this project

[asdf_admin]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

i always wanted to check this out ... seemed like a cool thing.

http://www.mytinytv.com/mytinytv.html

[algy]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

Did you find a DVI to HD cable? You will be solid! Fuck, I've got to get an HDTV so I don't have to rely on Component connections anymore.

[res0nat0r]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

i have been wanting to make a mythtv box for a long while.

http://www.mythtv.org/

http://www.mythtv.org/modules.php?name=MythFeatures

supports tvguide like grids via the internet
records / streams tv like tivo
can record / program it remotely
rip cd's to mp3 / ogg / flac
emulator frontend (nes, snes, mame, etc)
image viewer
weather
dvd player / transcoder
best of all, it is FREE

it is linux based though

[Kamal]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

man getting drivers for that is going to silly as fuck. I found the perfect remote for it too

http://reviews.cnet.com/Logitech_Harmony_720/4505-7900_7-31929414.html

while it maybe difficult to train it to learn MCE commands, it's a very good package overall

[res0nat0r]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

there are a couple of linux infared projects out there for that that i know of..

http://www.lirc.org/

http://tldp.org/HOWTO/Infrared-HOWTO/

[Kamal]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

u gonna be building that mythtv one ?

[res0nat0r]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

i have been wanting to build one for a while, i need to get motivated to research the best deals for the mobo, case, etc..i want to get a micro-atx motherboard and case with a dvd burner and could put it in the living room like a replacement dvd player. i could attach it to the network and then could play avi's on it thru the tv and real dvd's etc, and attach it to the stereo and play mp3s thru it. i was also wanting to get an external hd enclosure that holds like 4 hd's and do some type of raid-5 with them and just make it a big network fileserver connected to the box..

[FM]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

My current computer will probably turn into something like that when it gets replaced...always wanted to do a music/movie-type server, but also interface it with a TV/entertainment center.

Sure beats the TIVO/DVD player deals...

[res0nat0r]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

yup, you can get a free version of tivo complete with tvguide grids for $0, as long as it is connected to the net

[SyntaxTerror]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

Kamal - don't waste your time with Windows.

Go for the MythTV option. Not only is it free you end up with one powerful setup. It's amazing what it will do compared to the windows MCE option.

For the easiest way to get it all working use KnoppMyth. You'll find the help available to you to get it all working to be first class.

Trust me, you'll be glad you went with the Myth option once you get it working.

[Kamal]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

is it easy to install/get drivers and shit ? My biggest worry is getting drivers for Linux.

[res0nat0r]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

^^i really havent had any driver problems w/ linux, if you know what hardware you are looking and you can usually find compatability lists online for what you are looking for. alot of stuff has already been ported if it is reasonably popular.

what items are you concerned about maybe i can help dig up some info

[arielus]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

that MythTV system looks great!

[Kamal]

Re: Setting up a home made DVR

^^i really havent had any driver problems w/ linux, if you know what hardware you are looking and you can usually find compatability lists online for what you are looking for. alot of stuff has already been ported if it is reasonably popular.

what items are you concerned about maybe i can help dig up some info

Mainly my
- DVD Burner (Sony DRU 530A)
- eVga nVidia 6800 Ultra
- Creative Soundblaster (I think its the Audigy)