Quote:
Originally Posted by
tonydix 
Can you give me a bit more info about how you use your pc to record the program
Thanks
Tony
use software such as dvbviewer that works with your PCI satellite tuner card that at a certain day and time, it'll tune the signal and record the transport stream. You can then watch the transport stream file directly with VLC or use video conversion software to edit it/process it for ipod, dvd archiving, etc.
The problem is, that many people aren't happy with just being able to play back via computer, particularly if you want to watch high bitrate HD, which with most computers won't play smoothly on a computer unless it's a very fast computer, or one with efficient video cards.
However, if your PC card is compatable with TSREADER, there are other options.
I currently have 3 FTA cards in my main computer and use a USB receiver in another, and have an HD-HomeRun on my LAN for OTA ATSC, which can be accessed by any of my computers. All these devices can be used to record directly to hard drive. TSREADER can manually schedule recordings, or, if there is an EIT or similar source of programming info, you can schedule recordings by simply double clicking on the program name.
Once recorded, these programs can be played back on the computer via VLC, as mentioned above, _OR_ I can play these directly from either my ROKU HD1000, or my PopCornHour, or my Azbox. I can also stream live from any of the sources via TSREADER to the 3 boxes. Everything is done without leaving my recliner. My main computer with the 3 FTA cards is downstairs, however I have a laptop next to my recliner, and I have a VNC server on the downstairs computer, so I can run TSREADER via a remote desktop on my laptop.
Playback via either of the 3 playback devices is very easy. In all three, you basically go to a file server directory tree which shows up shared drives on your local network, you select the recorded file you want, then you're playing on your TV. Good and bad points of the 3 playback devices are:
(1) ROKU HD-1000 Good points are that it is very quick navigation, very easy to use. It will play back high bitrate 4.2.0 MPEG2 video with excellent quality, and you can adjust for overscaned or underscaned TV screens. You can also play MP3 and other music formats and set up photo displays where you can cycle through a series of jpg files while playing mp3 music in the background. The ROKU also has very convenient fast forward/reverse buttons that will jump forward a set amount, like 3 minutes, which is a quick way to skip through commercials. There are 2 sets of buttons the 2nd set of which jumps in smaller increments. The Roku also plays back at a very controlled rate even if you pause playback, so you can pause video to sync with audio from other sources.
The bad points of the ROKU are that it is no longer manufactured, so you have to find them used. I have 2 of them, one just a spare in case my main one ever dies. The other issue is that the ROKU only does 4.2.0 MPEG2. It does NOT do 4.2.2 or MPEG4. Also, it doesn't have an HDMI output, only component, however the video quality through the component output is equal to any other device I use with HDMI. There are also 3rd party programs that will do a few neat things, like sending a remote computer desktop to your TV via VNC so that you can demonstrate computer programs on your TV.
(2) PopCornHour Good points are that the PCH can play MPEG4, and SD 4.2.2, and there are a few other varieties of formats it plays better than the ROKU. It will not play HD 4.2.2. PCH has HDMI output.
The bad points of the PCH are that it's user interface is very slow when setting up, or navigating between computer shares. Also, setting it up for live streaming is a bit more cumbersome than it is with the ROKU, mainly because TSREADER has built in functionality to control the ROKU. With the PCH, you have to initiate playback both on the PCH and on TSREADER or other streaming program.
(3) Azbox Good points are that it does MPEG4 and 4.2.2. The Azbox has HDMI, and can output in 1080p if you can find source material in that format.
Bad points are that streaming is very cumbersome, and not yet fully supported well. Also , with the firmware versions I've used, it isn't yet capable of doing high bitrate HD. Supposedly this may be corrected in later firmware versions. Basically, the Azbox has the potential to be the best of the 3, but as yet is only partially functional.
Overall, recordings played back via ROKU or PCH are excellent quality. I use mainly the ROKU because it has the most user friendly interface. I use it a lot toplay OTA ATSC programs, and if I get home say 10 minutes after a program starts, I can start playing it back while it is recording, and I can usually catch up to live by using the 3 minute jump forward during commercials. I only use the PCH or Azbox when the recording is MPEG4 or 4.2.2 .
There are other programs besides TSREADER and VLC that will stream to these playback devices, but I'm not as familiar with their use.
Anyway, the above is just to make it clear that if you use a PCI card receiver, that you're locked into viewing programming on a computer. If you have network playback devices like the ROKU or PCH, playback is excellent and convenient on your TV. I use my computer card receivers more than any of my STBs.
