Viewing TV from laptop (2 Viewers)

[porky996t]

I seem to have the TV PC setup and running well now. Thanks everybody, you're all so helpful.

The GF uses it too, and this is now where we have conflict - if she is watching TV, can I access the TV PC from my laptop and watch the other TV channels, or play videos etc? If so, how do I do it?

Thanks in advance



M

 

[craigparris1]

Hi porky,

In simple terms, if you've got your "TV PC setup", then I'm assuming that means you've got TV-Server and the MediaPortal client installed on one PC. If you want to watch TV, etc. on your laptop, then you'll need to install just the MediaPortal client on the laptop and configure it to connect to the TV-Server machine (again, I'm assuming you have a network running...).

One thing to remember is, if you've only got one tuner card in the TV-Server machine, then that card can only tune to a single channel (or the channels of a single transponder) at one time ..... so you may still have "conflicts" with the GF! If you've got multiple tuners, then you'll probably be OK (unless there are recordings happening which conflict with the channels you both want to watch)

I'd suggest that you get the client installation and basic config done on your laptop first, and see how you go. If you've still got issues, then you know there are always people here who are willing to help.

Cheers,
Craig

 

[finrudd341]

Should work fine - you need to have MP installed on the laptop, and have the laptop running on the same network as the main machine with the TV Server application running on. But once you tell the 'client' (laptop) where to find the 'server' (main HTPC) it should start to stream the tv.

What I don't yet know is what happens if you both want to watch the same channel, or indeed what happens if you both want to watch different channels mapped to the same card - post back and let me know how you get on! Tele here is mostly so rubbish it has not yet been a problem between the wife and I!!

I just saw this post here: https://forum.team-mediaportal.com/...0-3-watch-tv-your-desktop-2010-01-30-a-76570/ which could be exactly what you want?

One thing to remember is, if you've only got one tuner card in the TV-Server machine, then that card can only tune to a single channel (or the channels of a single transponder) at one time ..... so you may still have "conflicts" with the GF! If you've got multiple tuners, then you'll probably be OK (unless there are recordings happening which conflict with the channels you both want to watch)

Looks like you answered my question then! So, if you have 4 clients, and all want to watch 4 different channels, all on Digital TV (for example) you would either need 4 x TV cards, or 2 x Dual TV cards? How about if all 4 wanted to watch the same channel? I have not done enough testing on this but am curious about this - I assume this means that a really large TV server, with perhaps 5 slots in it, could stream up to 10 channels, if each tuner card was a dual card?

EDIT: Well, did some testing, and had my first Blue Screen Of Death on the client PC - I had forgotten those things exist!

 

[porky996t]

Thanks for that Guys, I'll have to have a play later.

I have two, dual tuner cards; one card for terrestrial TV and the other for Satellite. I'll install the MP client when I get home and see what happens.

I'll keep you posted!

Many thanks.

 

[porky996t]

Hi Guys,

Just a quick note to let you know that I installed MP on the laptop (second time around as at first I said I didn't want to watch TV ) Set up the TV server as the TV PC's IP address and away it went - no probs.

I'm currently sat in the living room with the TV PC on BBC One and the laptop playing BBC Four - full epg too!

Only a small hiccup was the picture freezing on the TV PC when the laptop started streaming. I changed channel on the TV PC and it was then OK.

Great stuff !! I'll have a play now!

All working wirelessly too.



M.

 

[finrudd341]

Great news! Just thinking about all the decent channels you guys get on Digital Freeview in the UK is almost enough to make me come home...almost, but not quite!

I've realised that while I am interested in getting it all setup properly here, there is actually nothing on TV here that I actually watch - however, it's the principal of having it all working.

 

[porky996t]

Shame about the TV there - as much as people do malign the BBC, it does produce some great programmes. Just watched "Secret Britain" on HD this evening and it was stunning!

With the Laptop & MP, the GF has asked me to install it on her laptop now, so she can watch stuff in bed.