FloppyDTV MCE version + MP (1 Viewer)

[nschoot]

Hi,

I'm considering to buy a FloppyDTV MCE version. This is the version without the remote and some "software".

What I want to know if I really don't need the remote and the software. The Dutch distributor claims that you only don't need their remote when using MCE. When using other software, you will need their remote.

Is there anyone who bought the FloppyDTV MCE version and knows with any custom remote that works with MP? Is the extra software required? (Does it contain any specific codecs I need?) Are their any hardware differences? I would like to use the card to watch HDTV as well.

 

[endo-soft]

Hello,

with Mediaportal you can you other remote controls as well, i.e. the M$ MCE Remote or using WinLIRC. You can also use EventGhost(free) or Girder that supports a vast amount of Remote Input Devices.
My parents use the FireDTV with MP and even though they got a remote control to it they use the M$ MCE Remote.
Further you don't need the software that comes with the full version, but rather a BDA driver which is available online, as far as I know.
I've never heard of hardware differences.

It should be possible to watch HDTV as long as it comes in MPEG2. So it depends whether you are using DVB-S/C/T
AFAIK, in Europe HDTV over Satelite comes only via DVB-S2 in VC1 or H.264 codec. DVB-S2 FireDTV is supported by Mediaportal but the hardware seem not to be available yet.
I suppose DVB-T does not support HDTV due to limited bandwidth.

 

[nschoot]

Thanks for your answer. I am planning on buying the cable version. I'm also planning on getting a hardware MPEG decoder (Radeon HD series) to watch HDTV.

Do you actually *need* a remote to control the FloppDTV or is it Media Portal that receives the remote control signal and changes channel etc?

Currently I have a IR-receiver that I have programmed to work with my regular TV-remote (which works great with Media Portal), so as long as Media Portal controls the FloppyDTV device, I don't need an extra remote... (Right?)

 

[endo-soft]

Hi,

you're right. You don't need an extra remote. The MP controls the floppyDTV and you control MP.

 

[nschoot]

Thanks, that was useful info. I'll go and buy the MCE version now

 

[erosco]

I too have a FloppyDTV MCE working quite happily under MP. Note, I did have problems with the MCE drivers that came with the card.

In the end I downloaded the BDA drivers instead.. MP was quite happy from then on.. mine is the Satellite version.

Cheers
erosco

 

[kkendall]

Hello,

It should be possible to watch HDTV as long as it comes in MPEG2. So it depends whether you are using DVB-S/C/T
AFAIK, in Europe HDTV over Satelite comes only via DVB-S2 in VC1 or H.264 codec. DVB-S2 FireDTV is supported by Mediaportal but the hardware seem not to be available yet.
I suppose DVB-T does not support HDTV due to limited bandwidth.

So how does this work again in Europe?
for DVB-T you need a MPEG2 decoder and is in .ts containerformat and can only be in SDTV bandwidths,
for DVB-S you need a MPEG2 decoder and is in .ts containerformat and can only be in SDTV bandwidths,
for DVB-S2 you need a VC1 and H.264 decoder and is in .ts containerformat and can be in SDTV and HDTV bandwidths,
for DVB-C broadcasts you need a MPEG2, VC1 and H.264 decoder and is in .ts containerformat and can be in SDTV and HDTV bandwidths.

Is this correct?