DirecTV-2-PC Public Beta

**dfergie** · 10-21-2008 11:48 PM

I've watched 1920x1080i 19 mbs video on both of the pc's that will not show live stuff... with no problems...

**meStevo** · 10-21-2008 11:52 PM

Originally Posted by Gimpy McFarlan

+1

My 2 year old Dell does meet the qualifications.

I realize it is no spring chicken of computers but it surely should be able to play video even if it isn't HD.

Problem being your 2 year old Dell has a graphics card that is 4 years old:
ATI Radeon X600 PCI-Express (Video Cards: ATI PCI-Express) by ATI -- FiringSquad Hardware Info & Web Reviews

And a processor that is 5 years old:
Intel 3GHz 800MHz FSB PCSTATS Review - Fast processor, high price...

While your dell can 'play video' it will certainly struggle to do the legwork to view this video, with the bandwidth it can get from your wireless connection.

I'd still try it, but just wanted to clear that up. Many computers, especially from the big box retailers/builders, are built using some pretty old parts that are passable for their time, but just that, passable. My computer is 1.5 years old and I have an e6600, 4gb of RAM, Vista, and a 8800 GTS. Granted it probably cost 3x what your Dell did ($1200), I'll get 2x-3x the life out of it.

**daverp** · 10-22-2008 12:00 AM

This program is a disappointment. Runs great, completely smooth, only about 35 -40 % processor utilization. Great PQ. Only problem is I have to turn off one of my monitors. Great error message "DirecTv2PC does not support multiple monitors"

Why not support multiple monitors when you only have to display on one at time. I'm guessing this is DRM run a muck.

**charper1** · 10-22-2008 02:57 AM

Well I finally got home and installed; and both SD and HD run fine. All the DVR options I have on my set-top DVR (FFW, REV, 30sec skip, etc) all work fine with a tad of a delay which is expected being network relayed commands back to the home unit.

Here are the specs of made hand-built and very dated PC:

AMD Athlon 64 FX-57
PCIe x16 ATI Radeon HD 3870 w/ 1GB of dedicated RAM (Catalyst Driver v8.530.0)
3GB of System RAM (DDR2 400MHz CL2)
Windows XP Pro / SP3 w/only necessary processes running.
Gigabit Ethernet on Mobo w/all latest firmware installed.
CAT6e hardwired Network

Until I can off-load my DVR recordings to my PC to archive to DVD, I am not sure how much I will actually use this, but it work for me and works fine.

**Big Dawg 23** · 10-22-2008 07:15 AM

Laptop passed with no issues Desktop failed DHCP content(AMD 64 X2 5200+). Wonder why advisor says my Laptop has 2GB of memory when it has 3GB. Based on HD play on video without Core Duo or higher this will not work very smoothly. Can't wait to try this out. Wireless G with MIMO should be find.

**darrencp22** · 10-22-2008 08:41 AM

Originally Posted by GeorgeLV

Your PC is a piece of junk as far as mpeg4 decoding goes.

It's very conspicuous that you did not mention a graphics card specification. I'll assume you have Intel "Extreme" Graphics (what a joke) or some similar integrated entry level graphics processor.

The mpeg4 avc algorithm is very complex and processor intensive. A single core processor, even at 3ghz, can not decode it at HD resolutions without hardware acceleration from the graphics card.

My modest self-built PC (<$400 build cost), has no problem running DirecTV2PC.

My specs:

Athlon 64 X2 5200+ (2 cores @ 2.7ghz)
2 GB DDR2-800 RAM
GeForce 9600GT

The playback advisor detected that my graphics card supported hardware acceleration, and judging from the smooth playback of HD content it works great.

Edit-
I noticed you posted later:

I'm saying it literally can't be done. Mpeg2 is a much simpler algorithm than mpeg4 and additional many more graphics processors (even integrated ones) support basic iDCT acceleration for mpeg2. WMV HD and the streaming "HD" from network websites use proprietary algorithms that are less processor intensive. Try watching a 1080p AVC clip from QuickTime on you computer, is Apple's programming "sloppy and inefficient" as well?

Well then they created a product that will be used maninly by the geek community, those like yourself and not the average customer. I love geeks as yourself talking about graphic cards specs, etc... the average consumer wants to know that they can install a program on their PC and it works... not fiddle around with cards etc... this is why i dumped PC gaming.. it became a nightmare. This should be able to work on virtually any newer PC. There's a way to do it.. just like there's a way to build a HD-DVR thats doesnt perform sluggishly. DirecTV, go back to the drawing board.

**slinger** · 10-22-2008 10:37 AM

Originally Posted by elwaylite

This feature is poop, sorry.

If you could access content from say a hotel while travelling, its one thing. Accessing dvr content in HD on your pc while sitting in the SAME house with a nice HDTV is crap.

This will be like the new toy at Christmas, people will drool over it for a month, then realize its a gimmick.

If you set up a VPN at your house, then you'll be able to watch programs remotely.

**Blurayfan** · 10-22-2008 11:06 AM

Originally Posted by Scott Greczkowski

Still no keys here, I now have requested them to 5 different addresses.

Scott

Cyberlink seems to be holding the activation key email for the e-mail address submitted until a successful download or redownload for each key requested.

**schneid** · 10-22-2008 11:22 AM

Originally Posted by JAG72

Sorry to say darren but with purchasing this only 1 year ago it was already out dated when it was bought. I had a P4 2.8GHz PC about 4 to 5 years ago and finally threw it away this past weekend.

Don't knock these old P4's. I built one out of my parts bin to stream Netflix. It green lights all the tests while my year old main PC won't. I did upgrade to a P4 3.2ghz bought on eBay and overclocked it to 3.6. Upped the memory to 2gb which was probably unnecessary as XP doesn't require it. Bought in mid-range Radeon HD3650 AGP for $80 that was HDCP. Best thing is that the old Asus MB has on board digital audio out that will pass DD 5.1 without messing with it.

To test old iron download and run BD Advisor from the Cyberlink site. If it will do Blu-ray it will do most anything. The biggest snags are getting a video card that really is HDCP. Lot's of Nvidia's claim they are but they aren't. I went through three before switching to ATI. The next snag is getting a DD 5.1 or greater sound card with digital out for your amp (or an HDMI video card that passes audio). Lot's say they are but downcode 5.1 to 2 channel stereo. I don't know if DirecTV2PC does 5.1 anyway.

The next big issue is an HDCP display and so far the jury here is out here on whether that is really required for DirecTV2PC.