DVRplayground - Windows PC & Media Center

TiVo Vs. Media Center Edition

Tom Keating — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 22:12:21 GMT

TiVo may get all the headlines and they certainly have a rabid following, including geeks who modify their units, add additional hard drives, and perform other tweaks. But I’ll tell you, I would not trade my Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC for a TiVo. I’m hooked baby! Especially when you consider that TiVo decided to betray their customers by ADDING their own commercials — check out the storm of controversy in the tivocommunity.com forums. I believe TiVo adds popup ads AS YOU FAST FORWARD through commercials. If I spent >$300 for a lifetime TiVo subscription (or pay their monthly subscription), I would be pretty peeved that TiVo decided to change the rules, when one major purchasing factor is the ability to fast forward through advertisements. And speaking of subscriptions, that’s another reason why I love my Windows Media Center Edition 2005 PC - NO MONTHLY SUBSCRIPTION FEE! The TV guide listings download for free via the Internet to an XML file which the MCE PC is able to display. One of the "knocks" against the MCE 2005 PC is that it’s too big - no one wants a bulky PC in their living room and they want something...

How Do I Record DirecTV on my HTPC?

Matt Whitlock — Mon, 05 May 2008 15:00:51 GMT

A TechLore "Ask the Experts" Question... Question: I have DirectTV (satellite). I want to record shows on my computer. Do i need a TV tuner with more than 125 channels? If so can you give info. Thank you very much. Answer: Unfortunately, adding satellite recording to an HTPC isn't quite as easy as with basic cable, since there is no add-in card that sports a DirecTV tuner. The only tuners for DirecTV are the set-top boxes that satellite subscribers are familiar with. Adding a 125 channel TV tuner to an HTPC will only record programs from a terrestrial antenna or basic cable. What you'll need to do is get a video capture device, either standalone or one of the ATI All-in-Wonder cards, and connect it to your existing DirecTV satellite box. You should be able to find software to control the DirecTV box through with an IR blaster, which you'll connect from the back of the HTPC to the front of your satellite box. Matt Whitlock - Editor, TechLore.com Syndicated from TechLore: The Consumer Electronics Community

Terabyte Solution...

562lonnie — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 05:07:04 GMT

Hello all, I really stumbled onto this site ( and I'm glad I did) searching for ideas on how I can put together a system to download my dvd collection into a 1 terabyte HD and view them from my home theater system. I know I at least have to have special software to do this and if so what would you recommend and is there a way this can be done through a usb/video audio cable via the HD. I am missing something somewhere... All I want to do is have my dvd collection stored in the HD and have the option of playing back any movie and still have the same picture and sound quality as if I were viewing the original disc. This is an awesome site and I'm gald I got to registered last nite. Thanks for your time and any input would be greatly appreciated. Lonnie

TiVo coming to PC via Nero software

GrondramB — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 23:32:23 GMT

http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/28/tivo-coming-to-pc-via-nero-software/ I wasn't sure where to put this - its really a crossing of borders. Tivo has not traditionally made money on the hardware - the bulk of the profit (such as it is) has been from the service. This would seem, in principle to be good for Tivo and good for those of us who like and are used to the Tivo interface. [quote] TiVo has just announced an agreement with multimedia software provider Nero AG that will bring its familiar interface and feature set to the PC. According to the joint announcement made today, Nero will embed the TiVo experience in its next generation of software, allowing the millions of us who rely on USB dongles for our TV to finally join the exclusive realm of Series1, 2, and 3 owners. Plus, as Zatz Not Funny! points out , Nero's international presence should help spread TiVo to the far corners of the Earth like some digital Happy Meal. Hopefully this new PC timeshifting solution -- release window: unknown -- will also convince other purveyors of home theater-only hardware-based services to finally bring their wares to the desktop. Yes, we're looking at you, Sling .[/quote]

A Commercial-Free Windows Media Center

Community Headlines — Mon, 15 Oct 2007 15:24:59 GMT

A new application called Lifextender is set to make Windows Media Center lovers a much happier bunch of people. Lifextender snips out the commercials for you so you never have to see them at all, saving you both irritation and disk space. You'll never have to watch another commercial again, and the best part is that it works without any real effort on your part—you don't even need to configure it.

Microsoft Spreads Itself Another Micron Thinner

Community Headlines — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:15:41 GMT

In its dedication to taking over the world, Microsoft's ramping up its effort to entertain us. The company's just released some slick-looking MCE Extenders so you can hook your PC up to your TV. Using the Extenders, you'll be able to stream just about anything—yes, even HDTV—right to your television screen and it functions as a DVR, too. Plus, you get to do this from anywhere in the house thanks to its wireless bridge. (I'm guessing these units are for people who don't already own an XBOX 360 for this.) But slipping this tidbit deftly between the paragraphs of its other news, Microsoft has also announced its latest beta product: Internet TV. Hmmmmm.

Beyond TV + Slingbox Question

Jacob — Thu, 20 Sep 2007 18:20:37 GMT

I have a PVR that uses Snap Stream Beyond TV. Does anyone know how I can use the Beyond TV's Channel Guide to change the channels on my cable box through the SLING BOX PRO. My current set up Sling box Pro hooked up to my Verizon Fios Motorola QIP 6200 box via. the ir blaster Sling Box Pro is also hooked up to my Network My network has SnapStream Beyond TV 4.XX Thank you

Can you only use windows media center edition with a hauppauge pvr-150

Aaron1 — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 12:44:35 GMT

I was looking online to buy the hauppauge pvr 150 tv card and all of the info suggests that it needs to be used with windows media center edition. Does it have to, or can you use it with xp pro, and some tv software like yahoo, or sage tv.