Some newbie questions (1 Viewer)

[DiscoPanda]

Hello all. Very new to HTPC, infact I'm just about to order all my bits and pieces. Stumbled across MP by accident and have to say from the You Tube videos I've seen it looks like I'll try it instead of Media Centre.

I'll have one PC only. Connected to one TV. Thats it. No multiple anythings.

My first question is, what is "TV-Engine_0.3"? I want to install a Hauppauge HVR 2200 but from reading posts on here it seems to have no native support and users suggest to try TV3. But further reading reveals people talking about server and client PCs? Um... help?! Can I use a 2200 out the box in MP for dual recording?

2. What is TV Server? Why would I need it?

3. How does EPG and the TV guide work? i.e. where and how does it get its data?

4. Is MP easy to install and setup? One HDD, one dual tuner DVB-T card and a Blu-ray drive is all I have. Can I get something working quite quickly or does it require hours of tinkering?

Thanks in advance

 

[rekenaar]

what is "TV-Engine_0.3"?

This is basically the TV Server. There are two options for TV. Loose standing TV Server or the inbuilt TV engine.

people talking about server and client PCs? Um... help?!

No proble if you only have one PC. It can act as the client and the server. The server just refer to the backend services for TV and recording. The client refer to the User Interface Application - the Mediaportal you will see on your TV. The client will connect to the server when required.

Why would I need it?

I think there is a wider range of supported cards. Possible to record even if MediaPortal is not open. Ability to use 3rd party advanced scheduler like ForTheRecord.

How does EPG and the TV guide work? i.e. where and how does it get its data?

I think some of the digital sources provide EPG over the air. Don't know much about this. WebEPG can grab it from the internet. Or you can give a XMLTV file yourself (see XMLTV)

Is MP easy to install and setup?

In my opinion, if you watch the videos and read the manual, quite easy to get a basic installation working.

or does it require hours of tinkering?

I think one of the major advantages of MP is the ability to customize to your own liking. Warning - it is addictive! If you start playing with brilliant plugins like TVSeries, ForTheRecord, Moving Pictures, etc and fancy skins like Aeon Wide, Monochrome, etc, you will definitely be busy for a while. And of course, major effort goes into organising and tagging your media library.

Hopefully one of the experts can comment on you hardware questions?