Anyone built a 3 or 4 Tuner system? (2 Viewers)

[TV_Fan]

It's getting to be that time of year to cough up T*vo's $120 annual fee, so I am looking into the HTPC thing.

Has anyone tried 3 or 4 tuners? Would the PC be able to handle such a thing?
Thinking about maybe getting 2 AverDUET cards, as my T*vo has on occasion missed out on a 3rd show, even just using the 5 OTA networks, as I tossed out DTV and their $80/month as well. Don't need the NTSC or capture ability of the Hauppauge 2200.

Also, my best PC is in the office, away from the Living Room. Seems that MP does not support either XBOX or MediaMVP clients.
Say, can my T*vo Series3 serve as a client?

Looking for input before I start buying cards. MP seems like the best open source alternative, though it seems to require a local PC to play the client.

Rich
the "TV-Fan"

 

[mm1352000]

Hi and welcome Rich

Has anyone tried 3 or 4 tuners? Would the PC be able to handle such a thing?

I have 6 devices for a total of 12 tuners in one PC, so it can be done. The question would be whether you're able to have more than one of the card that you want in the same PC - that can sometimes be a problem.

Thinking about maybe getting 2 AverDUET cards...

Okay. It looks like there were support problems at one time in the past (link link) but I *think* it should work fine now.

Say, can my T*vo Series3 serve as a client?

I don't think so. MediaPortal is PC software. In a few cases there is software for other devices - for example iPiMP (iPhone), aMPdroid (Android OS). Those are exceptions though, not the rule. We don't actively attempt to port MP to other devices like XBMC does - we don't have enough resources to (1) do it and (2) provide good support for it.

mm

 

[2BitSculptor]

hey Rich,

I've got 2 dual SiliconDust HDHomeRuns that give me 4 channels for OTA ATSC for local broadcasts. I had the first one for about 3 years now, and picked up a second one recently on e(vil)bay for about half price. I've got enough heat in my box, didn't need to add more with internal tuners.

Best regards,

Chuck

 

[TV_Fan]

Hey, I looked inside my PC and it only comes with 1 PCI-Express slot, so I am thinking of either 1 dual tuner card and one regular, or my buddy just lent me his HVR-9500 USB stick. Unbelievable, what they can do with electronics these days!

Plan to play around a bit with the USB, trying out MP versus MMC. MMC has the advantage of working with Extenders, such as Xbox, but there are so many possibilities.

 

[mm1352000]

Unbelievable, what they can do with electronics these days!

I'm with you there.

Plan to play around a bit with the USB, trying out MP versus MMC. MMC has the advantage of working with Extenders, such as Xbox, but there are so many possibilities.

Yeah, each HTPC software will have its own advantages and disadvantages. I fully encourage you to experiment and choose the software that feels right for you. Absolutely no hard feelings if that doesn't turn out to be MediaPortal, although we would appreciate your feedback if you decide to go a different way - we're always looking for ways to improve. Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions...

mm

 

[TV_Fan]

Having lots of trouble with the external TV stick: 950Q actually. My buddy was quick to offer it saying "let's see how it works for you." ominous foreboding perhaps?

Anyhow, under MMC it hangs when scanning channels.

NextPVR is doing better, but still not finding many channels and hung on channel 64.

MP is not detecting any channels, but all very fast. Will try a reboot.

 

[mm1352000]

Hi again

MP is not detecting any channels, but all very fast.

I'd be suspicious of this. Any chance of posting logs - doing that is really easy if you use the watchdog:

1. Find the "debug mode" link in the Team MediaPortal folder in your start menu.
2. Start that and choose option 3 "export all currently present logs" to create a zip file containing all your existing logs.
3. Post the zip file here.

mm

 

[TV_Fan]

Hey, I discovered/realized I was on the analog side of the tuner.

When I scanned the ATSC, it got hung up at channel 42. I think my buddy's device is defective.

Would logs help for a hung result like this? (When all 3 HTPC's are getting hung, I think I can easily blame the HW.)

 

[TV_Fan]

logs attached, just in case.

 

[mm1352000]

Hi again TV_Fan

The logs don't show any reason for the scan locking up at channel 42 - it seems a little odd. Is it possible that other software jumped in and tried to use the tuner (only one application can use the tuner at a time)? The other thing I'd check (and this may seem a little weird) but I wonder how hot the tuner is getting - could it be overheating?

mm