Madbones Phoenix


Joined: Mar 08, 2010 Posts: 771 Location: In the zone
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Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:15 pm Post subject: Cheap Media Centre thing? |
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Hey!
My family want to have a HTPC as their main source of media. They want to do the following:
Be able to watch Youtube videos
Watch: BBCi Player, ITV Player, 4OD and Five on demand.
Watch and record live TV.
The absolute max budget (even this is sort of pushing it) is 160.
I can build a Linux HTPC box for that much.But the thing is, finding the right TV tuner that will work with Linux (And then getting it to work with Linux, I dont mind that, but its just finding one that I know works with Linux).
I was wondering if there was any media centre thing that would do all of this for that much?
Thanks! _________________ <p> “Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.” -Steve Jobs. </p> |
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sliqua-jcooter Phoenix


Joined: Jan 26, 2010 Posts: 814 Location: Burke, Virginia, USA
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Posted: Sat Mar 17, 2012 4:39 pm Post subject: |
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This is one of those roads that, if you start going down it, costs way more than you ever realized.
I started a project to bring MythTV into my house in much the same way you're doing now - from there, it continued to spiral out of control, as there was more and more stuff that I wanted to do with the system.
So far, I've spent well over 3k on my setup - and I expect to spend much more as time goes on. Getting HD content in the US is particularly difficult - I've heard it's much easier in Europe.
As far as finding compatible TV tuner cards, there's a really good source for that info here: http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information |
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TroubledPerson Emu Egg


Joined: Mar 18, 2012 Posts: 4
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject: |
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This is absolutely possible, using XBMC's PVR branche. XBMC as-is does not have support for Live tv, its yet-to-be-merged PVR branche has support for several backends, that take care of the actual work. Go and see if Tvheadend suits your needs, it supports both analog and digital tv , plus a comprehensive recording function.
May I ask what type of tv signal is delivered to your home? PAL? ATSC? DVB-C/T? Is the signal encrypted? |
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Madbones Phoenix


Joined: Mar 08, 2010 Posts: 771 Location: In the zone
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 5:43 pm Post subject: |
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| TroubledPerson wrote: | This is absolutely possible, using XBMC's PVR branche. XBMC as-is does not have support for Live tv, its yet-to-be-merged PVR branche has support for several backends, that take care of the actual work. Go and see if Tvheadend suits your needs, it supports both analog and digital tv , plus a comprehensive recording function.
May I ask what type of tv signal is delivered to your home? PAL? ATSC? DVB-C/T? Is the signal encrypted? |
That would be PAL.
Dont know if it is encrypted or not.
Analog connection too. What does Tvheadend do exactly?
Does it add support for TV tuners or something?
Thanks!
PS.
I apologize for my ignorance. _________________ <p> “Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.” -Steve Jobs. </p> |
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Madbones Phoenix


Joined: Mar 08, 2010 Posts: 771 Location: In the zone
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Posted: Mon Mar 26, 2012 7:47 pm Post subject: |
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I have just found this service called FilmOn which will do all the things I want it too.
Best of all, it runs on Android.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/smart-tv-entertainment-box-powered-by-android-586939
I can buy one of those and use it for Film On.
Mind you though, if it doesnt work, I'l be stuffed. Il have to see if I can get an in store demo.
I know you can use FilmOn through a web browser, but it didn't work on my mothers HTC Wildfire. _________________ <p> “Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations.” -Steve Jobs. </p> |
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