As the title states I am taking the plunge into building a HTPC to replace my comcast DVR with something that is more robust. I had my mind set on going full XBMC with a NextPVR backend but then I discovered MediaPortal this weekend and have been reading up on it liked crazy. Overall I don't see that much difference between the two. I've read that XBMC is easier to setup and is quicker when loading up the software neither I really care about cause once its setup and loaded I won't touch it. What I really care about is replacing hopefully all the functionality that my Comcast box gave me. This is where I was doing a lot of research on how to integrate Live TV in XBMC. Its great they have the PVR interface built in to the main software but there still seems like there is a lot of work around to really get it functioning like a set top box you get from your provider and integrate recordings from a TV backend (like NPVR) into the XBMC library.
This weekend I dsicovered MediaPortal when googlin about setting up a client-server multiseat based "HTPC System". What I loved was that MediaPortal's TV Server is already setup for what I want, distribution of TV through out the house and MP2 is going to make this even easier when setting up the rest of the software. I love the documentation in MP's wiki and I really like the Titan skin. Some say MP is not as atractive as XBMC but that skin has really caught my eye.
Now that you're sick of my ramblings I'll ask my question. I really feel this question will be the make it or break it deal for me and will determine which software package I go with. I love TV, probably more than Movies. I usually record TV and watch my favorite shows on the weekends or late at night. From all my research on XBMC and Live TV PVR, It was near impossible or a huge effort to take my record shows and integrate them automatically into the XBMC Library for playback later. So can MediaPortal take the record shows and load them into the media library allowing me to play them back from the TV Show listing at a later date? I don't normal save TV Show recordings permenately on my DVR. I do intend to delete these shows after I have watched them. Sometimes I record random things like Nature Shows, Documentaries, Concerts from Paladia. I know the scraper probably won't be able to find info on these records from the internet but will MP save the info from the EPG about the recording and integrate that into the library as well?
So is this possible? My whole decision on building this HTPC is becuase I really hate the software on my comcast DVR. It just doesn't look nice on a HDTV. and I am sick of turning on the PS3Media Server and the PS3 to watch my movie collection. I just want to toggle a menu to get to my collection now.
This weekend I dsicovered MediaPortal when googlin about setting up a client-server multiseat based "HTPC System". What I loved was that MediaPortal's TV Server is already setup for what I want, distribution of TV through out the house and MP2 is going to make this even easier when setting up the rest of the software. I love the documentation in MP's wiki and I really like the Titan skin. Some say MP is not as atractive as XBMC but that skin has really caught my eye.
Now that you're sick of my ramblings I'll ask my question. I really feel this question will be the make it or break it deal for me and will determine which software package I go with. I love TV, probably more than Movies. I usually record TV and watch my favorite shows on the weekends or late at night. From all my research on XBMC and Live TV PVR, It was near impossible or a huge effort to take my record shows and integrate them automatically into the XBMC Library for playback later. So can MediaPortal take the record shows and load them into the media library allowing me to play them back from the TV Show listing at a later date? I don't normal save TV Show recordings permenately on my DVR. I do intend to delete these shows after I have watched them. Sometimes I record random things like Nature Shows, Documentaries, Concerts from Paladia. I know the scraper probably won't be able to find info on these records from the internet but will MP save the info from the EPG about the recording and integrate that into the library as well?
So is this possible? My whole decision on building this HTPC is becuase I really hate the software on my comcast DVR. It just doesn't look nice on a HDTV. and I am sick of turning on the PS3Media Server and the PS3 to watch my movie collection. I just want to toggle a menu to get to my collection now.