Calling all MP New Zealanders (Both of you!!)

[TVKiwi]

I would be interested to know who from the land of the long white cloud is using MP with a view to sharing resources and info for local setups.
Eg I have made simple icons for all the TV and Radio stations in area (Auckland) if anybody would like copies. Things such as links to images for my weather etc would be useful. Even if anybody has info on where htpc gear is available locally. Even links to local resources for htpc stuff.

In particular is anyone in NZ using a DVB card to grab free to air digital broadcasts of TV1 and TV2 (this is available now) or other channels? I am guessing quality is much better than analogue.

[zxcvbnm]

I've only just got around to getting MP going properly after having the odd tinker with it over the past years.

Current spec's

AMD XP1700
512 ram
Gforce 4200 ti
Skystar 2
ATI Theatre 550 pro
XP pro
Mediaportal 0.1.3

Using a Sky TV dish aimed at Optus b1 I have TV 1, TV2, Maori TV, CCTV9, DWI and NASA TV-only just started. Had to made my own tlp file to scan for channels and enter settings for NASA manualy.
The Theatre 550 pro handles TV3, for some reason it can't find TV2, not that it's need anyway.

I got my Skystar2 from Germany and the ATI Theatre 550 pro is available locally, both Sapphire and Powercolor brands. I just orderd a MCE Remote [the one with 4 extra buttons] from AU, I could only find the old remote with less buttons here in NZ.

Here's the tlp file:

satname=Optus B1 - 160.0E

12316,H,6980
12326,H,6980
12336,H,6980
12353,H,5100
12371,H,6111
12380,H,6111
12420,H,12600
12437,H,12600
12451,H,6111
12456,H,12600
12460,H,6111
12490,H,6111
12525,H,6111
12610,H,14288
12626,H,14288
12643,H,14288
12670,H,14288
12688,H,14288
12706,H,14288
12339,V,6617
12349,V,6111
12356,V,6111
12366,V,5632
12456,V,22500
12519,V,22500
12546,V,22500
12581,V,22500
12608,V,22500
12644,V,22500
12671,V,22500
12707,V,22500
12734,V,22500
12456,V,22500

[TVKiwi]

Zxcvbnm (??)

Hi, with the inclusion of you I think there are now 4 (yes 4!!) MP users in NZ. Where did you learn about how to get DVB on your PC - is there a website I can research. I am absolutely new to DVB and the TLP file you posted means jack to me. I need to start from the beginning on this one.

I have sky digital and I am guessing that if I start altering the dircetion the dish faces I will lose sky? Maybe a second dish is the way to go. But first i need to learn the basics so if you know where I can start looking it would be appreciated if you could post a link.

Cheers :wink:

PS - A link to a local PC store that specialises in HTPC. Has a lot of stuff like HTPC cases, remotes etc. I have dealt with the guys there and they are really friendly and knowledable on the products they stock.

http:\\www.computerlounge.co.nz

[zxcvbnm]

I started by playing with PROGDVB and a few others sat software, biggest problem was getting the SS2 card to go.

Your Sky dish is pointed at Optus b1 already. Optus c1,b1 and b3 are close enough that you can get all 3 on one dish with 3 LBN's, the thing poking out in front of the dish.

Asia Pacific Sat forums.
http://www.vetrun.com/forums/index.php?

both these places have a lot of info
http://www.thedropzone.co.nz/
http://www.hooktech.co.nz/channels.htm

Computerlounge was the place with the MCE remote I was looking at

[Brocklander]

Originally Posted by zxcvbnm

Computerlounge was the place with the MCE remote I was looking at

Me too! They seem a good bunch of guys. www.c1computer.co.nz is another place that has good prices.

Strictly speaking I don't yet have a HTPC, spent big on a Powermac which has pushed the HTPC back down the list of things to spend money on. I have been researching and planning for nearly a year though, and run everything but live TV on my PC.

I'm not sure what I can help you with as I'm looking at a normal Hauppauge tuner, and you already have the HTPC, channel logos, etc. Are you okay for EPG data?

[TVKiwi]

Hi Brocklander,

EPG is always a bugga in NZ. At present I am using a program called xmltvnz. It creates an xml file for all channels (sky and free to air).
It is not 100% as sometimes crashes when looking up sky data but the best I have found so far.

The idea of this post was not only for me to get help from other kiwis but maybe offer some advice and help to other kiwis so let me know if you need anything when it comes time for you to set up.

I originally started with the idea for an htpc about 18 months ago and it has taken me this long to get something which is fully functional.
I have purchased showshifter and meedio, trialed several other freeware not to mention beyondTV etc. I was about to resort to MCE2005 but was weary of all the copy protection/rights issues that microsoft have. I only discovered MP recently but it seems to work out of the box for me (bar a few minor issues which I think are already fixed in the latest CVS).

Off Topic - Brocklander how have you managed 50 posts if you dont even currently use the software or have an htpc??

[Brocklander]

Originally Posted by TVKiwi

Off Topic - Brocklander how have you managed 50 posts if you dont even currently use the software or have an htpc??

Hehe, good point! I have been playing with the software for the last 9 odd months, just not the live TV part as I don't have a tuner. I've mucked around with some skin stuff (did a widescreen mockup a few weeks ago, as well as a MCE mod back in the early days), answered a few questions and asked a few more, but apart from that I'm not sure! :?

I do know that I have a 6 month old HD TV craving for some high def input, an excel spreadsheet with all the parts and prices, and the software, codecs, etc all sorted out... Just need some money to throw at it! Another gig of ram for the Powermac has my name written all over it :lol:

xmlTVNZ is what I use too, tried a few other things but went back to it.

[andydixon]

I'm down Christchurch way and I'm in the process of getting Media Portal up and running. I'm planning on buying a Hauppauge card in the next few weeks, just as soon as I get a TV antenna installed in my new house.
I got some EPG data loaded in yesterday so I think now all I need is the Hauppauge card.

zxcvbnm: Where in Aus did you get the MCE remote and how much did it cost?

Really looking forward to getting it up and running!

Andy

[vbgeezer]

I have been using MP for a few months now and most of the time I love it. Other times I cry into my beer. I use XMLTVNZ also and it is fairly reliable. I keep asking the author for the code but no joy. Sometimes when it stops working I get the urge to write my own then I think about how much work that really is and decide that if I wanted to cod ein the evening I wouldn't need MP anyway

Hi to all

[TVKiwi]

Crikey!!

Its like dole day in Whangerei - people turn up from everywhere! I had no idea there were this many kiwis using MP.