Noob To MP, Just Need Some Pointers (1 Viewer)

[jestermgee]

Hello

I am not new to the HTPC world, but am new to Media Portal. I have been reading a lot on this massive forum and have played around for the past week with MP and just need a couple of pointers in the right direction. Here are some details of my setup:

MP Version: Currently 0.2.3.0
TV Card: DNTV Live Dual Hybrid S2
OS: Windows MCE
MOBO: Asus P5K-E WIFI
RAM: 2GB
HDD: 320GB SATA
CASE: Zalman HD160XT
Other Software: Meedio, Zoom Player, Winamp 5, blah, blah blah.....
Location: Adelaide, Australia


My main aim for MP is TV recording and viewing as this seems to be the best software I have trailed for PVR. I don't need any media browsing or anything as I have other tools for this. Just TV! There are just a couple of things I am having trouble with and need some recommendations and advise from the experts here. If anyone can even answer one of my queries that would be great.

1. EPG data - There seems to be a lot of info in regards to this but I am confused. I have an account at freeepg and even have a tool that downloads an XML file. I do not know how to reliably get this data into Meedio though. I have pointed the config to the file but when I load MP, no data is loaded. Now I guess you have to press F3 then update the guide (in MP) and this populates some of one channel. All others still have no data even though the xml file has data for all channels. A simple and easy method that I could experiment with is what I need.

Now we have free epg data over the air which I have experimented with and it would seem that there are several days of data. But, it only seems to download this data when I am viewing that channel. Can I get all data using my second digital tuner?

2. Recording TV - My dual hybrid card has 2 digital tuners that I have configured. I can record and timeshift tv fine. What I want to know is will MP automatically manage the cards for me? Can I select "record" on one channel then switch to another channel without disturbing my recording? Does MP automatically use the second tuner? Then can I record a second TV show with that tuner? I am assuming that I can but I haven't played enough and want to get as many things clear as I can.

3. Scheduling - I have not tested the scheduling of tv either. I always put my HTPC to "sleep" when not in use and would like to make sure that it will wake up. I have configured the scheduler plugin but thought this would create some kind of service which I never noticed. Can MP wake PC and record TV in the background? If I have scheduled recordings can MP record without me knowing? Do I have to have MP minimized to taskbar for this to work?

4. Main Menu - I launch MP from another application for TV only. Is there any way I can just have the TV plugin work without the main menu? I don't have anything in the main menu apart from TV.

5. TV Server - Would there be any need for me to install this to achieve any of the above?

I know there are some basic questions there and I am sorry but the more I understand how MP works and how to achieve what I want the more I will know if this is the software for me.

I also need to get my composite inputs working and the FM radio but they are back burner issues.

Big thanks to anyone that can get me started

JesterMgee

 

[ajc122]

I suggest you go to TV Server

Hi,

I wouldn't call myself an MP expert (like lots of IT people, I know enough to be dangerous) but am happy to try and answer some of your questions: (sorry in advance for the "typos", but I'm sitting in an airport lounge at the moment and writing this fairly quickly)

In summary though, I think you should use TV Server as this will help you with a number of your questions. You can use the standalone version for this too, but personally I find TV Server easier and more reliable.

1. EPG data - I use the XMLTV plugin. You don't actually have to use XMLTV though. You say you already have a tvguide.xml that's being populated so configure the plugin to point to that location of that file and it will upload it for you. You can manually load it in the config application, and also MP will automatically load it for you. I find the broadcasted program data in Australia to be very hit-and-miss.

2. Yes. MP automatically manages your free/busy card for you with no intervention required. It also manages back-to-back/overlapping recordings on the same channel on the same card very well.

3. Scheduling - Again, I suggest you switch to TV Server as this does all of the background recording for you (ie. as a Service) so you don't need to intervene. Enable the PowerScheduler (from memory that's what it's called) in the TV Server config and also the PowerSchedule Client plugin in the MP config application. These manage the standby/restart for you. If you have issues with Windows in this area there are a few supporting apps out there (do a search on the forum for "standby" and you'll probably find them)

4. Main Menu - Sorry. Don't know the answer here.

5. TV Server - As TV Server runs as a service I find it much more reliable and stable, and there's no risk of someone accidentially shutting the application down.

Re FM radio - I haven't been able to get this to work either. I think I've read somewhere that it doesn't work anyway, but I don't know this for a fact.


Hope this helps.

 

[jestermgee]

Awesome!!

Thanks very much for the reply. Die hard user or not, if you are on the go and have time to answer my questions, you are as good, if not better than the rest.

I thought the TV server would be the way to go. I have not gone that far as I wanted to be sure before I install SQL and everything on my HTPC... I don't like having to install apps if they are not needed on a HTPC.

I have already read a very helpful post on getting FM radio workiing and though I haven't done it yet, I do have radio in Winamp from my card so I have something in that department.

I guess after I install TV server then I will be more farmiliar with what I still need help with.

Thanks again.