Questions about setting up Media Portal for Wife Approval

[Raymond__hi]

TV-Server Version: RC1 SVN 5/2/08
MediaPortal Version: RC1 SVN 5/2/08
MediaPortal Skin:
Windows Version: XP SP3
CPU Type: AMD 5600+
HDD: Samsung SATA 500GB
Memory: 2GB DDR800
Motherboard: M2N32-SLI Deluxe
Video Card: Visontek 2600 Pro
Video Card Driver: Catalyst 8.4
Sound Card: On-Board - ADI 1988B 8-channel High Definition Audio CODEC
Sound Card AC3: Coaxial, Optical S/PDIF
Sound Card Driver:
1. TV Card: Happague 1600
1. TV Card Type: Analog and ATSC
1. TV Card Driver: 3.4
2. TV Card: AVerMedia AVerTVHD Volar
2. TV Card Type: ATSC
2. TV Card Driver: AVerTV: 6.0.7
3. TV Card:
3. TV Card Type:
3. TV Card Driver:
4. TV Card:
4. TV Card Type:
4. TV Card Driver:
MPEG2 Video Codec:
MPEG2 Audio Codec:
h.264 Video Codec:
Satelite/CableTV Provider:
HTPC Case: Thermaltake Mozart Sx
Cooling:
Power Supply: Antec NeoPower 650
Remote: Harmony 550
TV: Zenith 40" rear projection HD ready
TV - HTPC Connection: DVI

I have installed MP/TV Server on my HTPC that I put together from my last computer before I updated. So here is the Goal:

Replace my HD tuner STB and have a PVR that my wife can use. I just bought a harmony remote so that I can set everything up and see can just press a button to watch TV, pause it, set up recordings, what a DVD etc.

I have been able to get my TV channels setup but is seems to be buggy. I need help getting these things worked out so that I my wife will let me put this in the living room without

Here are the issues I can't seem to figure out, i search the forums, but can't seem to get any traction:

1) I can run MP choose TV and it will tune to what ever channel I select. Then Close MP and re-open it and I get "Can't start time shifting, can't start graph" (something like that). If i select another channel it works, then I go back to the previous channel and it works. That will not fly with my wife.

2) Remotes: The case came with an IMON VFD with IR receiver, IMON remote, but I want to use my harmony remote. I do like the ability of the IMON remote to switch between mouse and keyboard, but I am willing to give it up if I can create a seamless solution.

3) HD-DVD/Blue Ray - I bought the LG drive that plays both so that I can move on from DVDs. How do I integrate that into MP?

4) EPG. I live in the US and I have no idea where to start with this. Are there any free options that don't require manual uploads? Can I point to some web site and it pulls it for me? How do I set it up?

Any help with any of these would be great!

Thanks

[Paranoid Delusion]

3) HD-DVD/Blue Ray - I bought the LG drive that plays both so that I can move on from DVDs. How do I integrate that into MP?

Blu-Ray / HD-DVD Player with PowerDVD (a working solution)

Sorry cannot help with other questions, you'll need someone with a similar setup.

[Raymond__hi]

Are there any HDCP (SP??) issues using DVI i need to be wary of?

[Raymond__hi]

bump...anybody on 1,2 or 4.

2) I got my IMON remote working except the "my keys". Any thoughts? I searched the current threads and no one seems to be able to get those working. Then how do I map all this stuff to my harmony remote?

4) I looked around on here and GB-PVR and they have the YApi2XML. Any thoughts on that setup?

[sleepycol]

Hi Ray,

Number 2) I am successfully using the imon remote with my keys. Make sure my keys is in the plugins/process directory. Check if the key presses are working (look in the my keys entry in MP config->plugis for the appropriate keys that my keys uses. Then run MP to test that the key presses work (this will check plugin is working).
Then you need to make an entry in the imon remote manager to map the remote "my tv" key to the relevant key (eg t). If you are using version 6 of imon manager you need to go to Settings->program command then select mediaportal in the drop down list of programs. Then add a new entry for each of the my keys buttons you want to use. See screengrab attached.

I assume you have already mapped some other keys like this?

Don't know how to get this working with your other remote though......


Cheers,
Colin

[SpudR]

There is a config file for the Imon setup somewhere in the forums (saves you inputting everything!)

I had one - replaced it with the MCE version (for about £15!) and had it working out of the box

[magnets]

for number 1, i seem to recall something about mp being too quick for the tv card.
on the tv server conmfiguration app, got to General settings, application tab
try playing about with the delay.

just my guess.

[milhouse]

Question 4 - U.S. EPG data. It's not free, but $15/year isn't bad. Search the forums for "Schedules Direct". There's a simple plugin, and once your channels are configured it just works.