Just about to start out and have some questions (1 Viewer)

[900spg]

I'm a long time beyond tv user who is looking to build a new htpc and found mediaPortel on the search for the best solution. I live in the United States and receive my television through DirectTV. I'm looking to use a Hauppauge Colossus and it appears that MediaPortal is supporting the card. Are most users having good luck with this card combined with mediaPortal or are there still issues to be worked out?

Will Windows Home Server be an acceptable OS choice or would it be better to stick with Windows 7 Premium? I would prefer use Home Server, but if it will make it more difficult to make the system reliable I would prefer to use Windows 7.

I still have an old Hauppauge PVR-250, would this be worth using still for standard definition recordings or should I just skip it as I would have to get a motherboard with a pci slot.

What is the best supported way to change channels on a set top box?

Any other hardware recommendations? I'm really excited that MediaPortal might be the software I need to use a Hauppauge Colossus in a htpc. Thanks in advance for any input that you can provide!

 

[mm1352000]

Hi and welcome 900spg

I'm looking to use a Hauppauge Colossus and it appears that MediaPortal is supporting the card. Are most users having good luck with this card combined with mediaPortal or are there still issues to be worked out?

Yes, the Colossus is supported with 1.2.0b. Some people struggle to get it working though as there are a couple of patches that you need to apply to get it working and TV Server wasn't really designed to support capture cards. If you're not that technically oriented and can afford to wait until MP 1.2.0 rc is released then I'd probably advise you to do so. Otherwise, follow the instructions -->here<-- to get it up and running. Note that you should make sure you *do not* install the WMC Colossus plugin - it will cause problems. We'd be happy to help with any problems that you encounter in that thread.

Will Windows Home Server be an acceptable OS choice or would it be better to stick with Windows 7 Premium? I would prefer use Home Server, but if it will make it more difficult to make the system reliable I would prefer to use Windows 7.

We don't officially support the Windows Server operating systems because they don't support BDA (the Windows framework for TV) out of the box. Having said that, people have managed to get *some* TV features working (here would be a good place to start - I know the title says WHS2008, but I'd bet they've been discussing 2011 even though I don't follow the thread). To be honest I think you're going to find it difficult if you go that route because the Colossus is supported as an analog crossbar device (not via the new pseudo DVB tuner which is used in WMC - that wasn't available when we started working on support) and the first page of the thread clearly says *analog cards are not supported*.

I still have an old Hauppauge PVR-250, would this be worth using still for standard definition recordings or should I just skip it as I would have to get a motherboard with a pci slot.

Completely up to you. The PVR-250 is supported, but again the caveats with the server OS apply...

What is the best supported way to change channels on a set top box?

As I already said, TV Server was not really designed to support this. Many people try it and just end up getting frustrated at the complexity. It can be done if you persist though, and -->here<-- is a good tutorial to follow. For you I'd suggest IR Server Suite (your STB may be supported already) + SchedulesDirect for your guide data + 1.2.0rc (when it comes out) + W7.

Any other hardware recommendations? I'm really excited that MediaPortal might be the software I need to use a Hauppauge Colossus in a htpc.

Nope, I think I've said all that I can say except good luck!

mm

 

[900spg]

Thanks for all of the input. I'm pretty comfortable with the technical side and went through similar hoops years ago with the PVR-250. I'm thinking it might be better to skip trying to use the older card and purchase a motherboard that has spots for two Colossus cards down the road. When you mention that TV Server was not designed to support capture cards, I'm a tiny bit confused. If I primarily want dvr functionality, should I be looking elsewhere? If I can get the Colossus working for recording of HD through a DirectTV stb it sounds like the product I'm after? Thanks again for the feedback!

 

[mm1352000]

When you mention that TV Server was not designed to support capture cards, I'm a tiny bit confused. If I primarily want dvr functionality, should I be looking elsewhere?

What I mean is that TV Server is designed to support *tuners*. The only capture devices that are supported right now are the Colossus and HDPVR, although capture inputs on tuner cards are also supported. What does that mean practically speaking? It just means setup is not streamlined for working with capture cards. That is *not* to say it can't be done though...

 

[900spg]

When you mention that TV Server was not designed to support capture cards, I'm a tiny bit confused. If I primarily want dvr functionality, should I be looking elsewhere?

What I mean is that TV Server is designed to support *tuners*. The only capture devices that are supported right now are the Colossus and HDPVR, although capture inputs on tuner cards are also supported. What does that mean practically speaking? It just means setup is not streamlined for working with capture cards. That is *not* to say it can't be done though...

Got it, thanks for the clarification. Hope to be trying out MedialPortal soon!