Using PC as a TIVO

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Ive seen stated in a number of other threads that some of your are "computer geniouses" (genius ---brian32672). I know this isnt a computer forum but in a strech it does involve video. Im sure some of you would like to know how to do this.

Anyway, I am looking to use my pc as a TV recorder. I would like to know what Hardware/software I would need to accomplish this. Also I would Like to knoow how to set this up.
Heres a list of what I have:
Processor-AMD 64 3000
RAM-1 Gig
Motherboard-ASUS A8V Deluxe
Video Card-ASUS 9520x
Storage--160 Gig Internal HD & 300 Gig External HD

Sorry to all the dedicated Audioholics who dont know about this topic or more importantly, dont care about this topic. I certainly dont want to ruffle any feathers. Some of you have hinted on knowing a lot on this topic. I have gotten comfortable with receiving quality advice from all of you (and giving some in a limited way). Your two cents is greatly appreciated. If you feel insulted I would post a "computer" question, remember the ultimate goal on this is to capture VIDEO from Cable! If there is another place to post this please let me know...If there is another trusted forum you would recomend for answers to this question please post a link...
Thanks for any advice and or suggestions

 

[mazurek]

It sucks that you have to preemptively apologize to the angry gods of the forum.

Anyhow, you need a tv tuner card. Hauppauge is the de factor standard for those, the pvr 150 is their best single tuner card, and they make a double tuner card (can record two streams simultaneously). For your software, SageTV and BeyondTV are the heavyweights for aftermarket Tivo software. Generally the software included with tuners is lame. You could also use WindowsXP media center edition for your software instead, but its a bit more expensive.

 

[wilkenboy]

You should have no problems with this hardware setup (Hauppauge PVR 150 is a good recommendation)- plenty of power for capturing and playback. Make sure you set your internal hard drive as the record drive.

Capturing standard analog channels from cable should not be a problem, but digital channels or scrambled analog channels are more of a challenge. If you want to capture those you will have to put the output of your Cable-provided set top box into the capture card. At this point you should be able to capture the channels but you will lose the ability to have the card control which channel it is capturing (as this will be driven by the set top box).

If anyone has a work-around to this problem, I'd love to hear it!

Also, most capture cards are standard def. If you want to capture high-def programming you will need to purchase a card that has that capability.

BeyondTV is the closest thing to Tivo from a capabilities and interface perspective, and I think it will only run you about $60. A good deal. mazurek is right on- most software bundled with the capture cards are crap.

If you want to go the free software route there is an open-source project for WinXP machines called Media Portal that I've tried with success - very Tivo-esque.

http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/

A good link to check out:

http://www.makezine.com/extras/4.html - more than you're looking for here, but a good start.

~Josh

 

[avnetguy]

I've been doing my recording on the computer for a while now.
I currently use a 3GHz P4 system with an Avermedia 1500 MCE under WindowsXP. The Avermedia card works very well with the hardware MPEG2 encoding onboard so my computer runs at only 9% utilization when recording, I don't even notice that it is recording. The Hauppauge cards are supposed to be very good as well but I'd stay away from ATI, I had one and its a real pain.

I use my XBox to playback all my recorded material streamed over the network. For recording software I just use the UltraTV that can with the card, does the job well and gives me all the options I want.
I tried using some of the "popular" programs (Sage, Beyond, etc) but found them to be simple, not enough control over recording and their interfaces are a little weak and buggy.

Hope this helps,
Steve

 

[Duffinator]

It sucks that you have to preemptively apologize to the angry gods of the forum.

Anyhow, you need a tv tuner card. Hauppauge is the de factor standard for those, the pvr 150 is their best single tuner card, and they make a double tuner card (can record two streams simultaneously). For your software, SageTV and BeyondTV are the heavyweights for aftermarket Tivo software. Generally the software included with tuners is lame. You could also use WindowsXP media center edition for your software instead, but its a bit more expensive.

No need for appologies, this has been discussed here many times and nobody got angry.

Anyway the Hauppauge and Sage are very popular and work well. Check out the forum from Hauppauge for a ton of information. You can use a Hauppauge Media MVP to stream the video from your PC to your HT.

 

[mazurek]

- as a side note for those that want to tivo an external cable box. I believe the latest pvr-150 I bought has an IR blaster. There's different versions though that don't have them, mine was retail. I believe sagetv can control IR blasters.

An IR blaster is just a remote control LED controlled by your computer

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

No need for appologies, this has been discussed here many times and nobody got angry.

Check out the forum from Hauppauge for a ton of information. You can use a Hauppauge Media MVP to stream the video from your PC to your HT.

I figured no one would get angry...but you never no when someone wakes up on the wrong side of the sub-woofer. This is a great forum. Ive gotten tons of usefull information. I wanted to keep it that way! Just thought I would pre-empt someone thinking about climbing up on the soap box.

Hauppauge has an informative website. Hauppauge PVR 150 seems like the way to go. Ill put that on my soon to buy list.

thanks for all the Info!

 

[brian32672]

Here is another to consider this is the old model MDP-100. The newer model is more expensive and is also almost as hard to find...
Read this..
http://www.modthebox.com/htpc5.shtml

EDIT:: Here is their new model 130 http://www.mitinc.co.kr/mitinc/e_site/prod/prod_mdp130_new.jsp
EDIT #2:: The newest model, can even be used with DVI if needed. (If I recall correctly, but would require a seperate module), But I believe they all have (RGB) component, as well as S-Video, and composite and 5.1 DD.
EDIT#3:::: I sent you a PM....Mr Fries.

 

[brian32672]

Sent another PM, after I read yours, Tell me if the link worked out...

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Worked fine. I will check it out when I get some time.
thanks

 

[10010011]

WOW thats a lot to do just for a Tivo.

Look around at local pawn shops, Goodwill, yard sales and the like. Used series 1 Tivos are cheap and abundent. There are so may people out ther that will throw something perfectly good away just because something newer came out.

I got a Sony series 1 Tivo for $6 at a Goodwill, it's lifetime activation was still valid

Last weekend I dropped in a 120Gig hard drive, now I got room to spare and its still simple enoughto operate the wife can use it.

 

[Mr. Lamb Fries]

Good Idea 10010011. I will keep my eyes open!

 

[brian32672]

Oh, thats a long list. But, he already has all the computer to do it. Including the hard drive. All you need to do, is find a computer shop that deals with used computers for a tuner card, then there is software (even freeware) that you can use. You should be able to pick up a tuner card for about 6 as well. Or maybe try eBay. I sold a Pinnacle card on eBay for about 13.00. Anyhow, there are more advantages than just a TIVO hooked to your tv. Can you edit with a TIVO? No. Or at least that I know, of. I'm not much into TIVO.