Best TiVo like system for PC?

[ThePMonkey]

I'm looking to get TiVo like function out of my computer. I need both the hardware and software. Any suggestions? I was looking at Snapstream Beyond TV 3 and the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-USB2. Anyone know, how is the ease of use, does it freeze up, does it use a lot of system resources? Does it encode when recording (I'm looking to use this just to tape TV shows I miss, I don't need super quality)? Basically, what should I know before buying it? Or is something else better?

P.S. - I have a laptop, so I need USB@ as opposed to PCI.

[greymalkin]

i don't know about the usb part...but i have used gb-pvr in the past with much success..it's got an easy to understand setup and interface.

you may also want to try media portal..

[reboot]

The Hauppauge hardware devices use little or no CPU. The only work the CPU has to do, is write the stream to the hard drive. Average CPU usage during recording is less than 5%.
Encoding is done in the hardware, and is a great match for gbpvr. BTV3 just isn't worth the money IMHO.
Mediaportal is a resource hog. Try it and see.
Another freebie is GotAll Media.

[handyguy]

build your own PVR:

byopvr.com

[lennyt]

How about SageTV and Sagetv Recorder. I am using recorder to record 1 hr tv shows weekly. I use the "Great" setting and using DVD Movie Factory I can get 2 hr + on 1 DVD, excellent results. Have not tried the other settings because I am hooked on the"Great" setting. If you want Tivo try SageTV. It has all that stuff th others have and a TV Guide thing. 15 day tryout at WWW.sagetv.com. I am using a Hap. PVR-250 capture card.

[reboot]

Why pay, when there are at least 3 free ones that do the same (or more) than Sage?

[ThePMonkey]

So, apparently the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-USB2 is a good choice for the hardware end - now, the software. I don't mind paying if I'm getting the best program out there. Oh, and earlier when I was talking about memory usage - I meant the program that actually records the shows, not the hardware end, I just wonder what RAM running something like BTV3 or Sage will use up.

[jameshgross]

I use the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-USB2 and get excellent results. I use the WINTV 2000 SW. from Hauppauge. To date I have captured over 200 movies or TV shows. Excellent product.

[ThePMonkey]

I use the Hauppauge WinTV PVR-USB2 and get excellent results. I use the WINTV 2000 SW. from Hauppauge. To date I have captured over 200 movies or TV shows. Excellent product.

Ok sounds good. What ports would this be using on my computer? Also, would it create an issue if I were to frquently unplug my laptop and take it with me (obviously it won't record if unplugged, but does it jostle the whole sytem if it's not always connected?

[dl090465]

speaking of capturing, i use a WIN TV PVR 150 and capture in MPEG---how can i convert a 3 hour movie to be DVD compliant, to then use DVD SHRINK?? i use NERO Vision express for 90% of what i capture, but when i get more than two hours, it will encode and then error at the end???

[reboot]

@ ThePMonkey: It uses a USB port, that's it.
The WinTV2000 software is good for live TV, but the scheduler sucks. Try gbpvr, gotall media, or mediaportal (gbpvr is my choice).

@ dl090465: Stop using Nerovision express. You've got an excellent card, why choke it with crap software? Try the ones mentioned above. You can adjust the bitrate, so that 2 hours of edited video will fit on one DVD, without having to re-encode it all.

[handyguy]

showshifter.com is software to do it. They often package it with a card.

[reboot]

Yuk! Showshifter reminds me of my kids playskool toys. Sorry, that's just IMHO.

[ThePMonkey]

Now this may be wimping out a little, but does anyone know of any standalone units that will just record to a hard drive as opposed to running it through a computer? I don't mean TiVo, just something like a VCR that instead of recording on to a tape records on to a harddrive?

[canadateck]

There is many DVD Recorders with this function,Look to the Left at DVD Recorders.

[ThePMonkey]

There is many DVD Recorders with this function,Look to the Left at DVD Recorders.

Uhhhhh, a little bit out of my price range. But thank you. Are there any without DVD Burners? That might save me some money.

[handyguy]

There are some dvd recorders under $100.

[pchan]

showshifter.com is software to do it. They often package it with a card.

Used for almost 1 year. Scheduled recording really BAD BAD BAD...
Have to reformat and reinstall after a few months. Worse still, need to patch from Showshifter before it can be re-install. Piece of SHIT.

[ThePMonkey]

Hmm, maybe I'll just get the Hauppauge card and then mess around with free software until I find something I like.

[ThePMonkey]

I think I'm going through with it. Any last minute suggestions? Also, incredibly stupid question but I'll be able to watch one show while recording another?

[dun4cheap]

I use an ATI AIW 9000 and ATI MMC with EZ Look. Its free, works well and thats that.

EZ Look is built in to ATI's Multimedia center and kicks on when you use the ATI Remote Wonder. I have it setup on my media center straight to my entertainment system.

I record my weekly TV Episodes automatically and play back my video files out of the EZ look play list.

[ThePMonkey]

I use an ATI AIW 9000 and ATI MMC with EZ Look. Its free, works well and thats that.

EZ Look is built in to ATI's Multimedia center and kicks on when you use the ATI Remote Wonder. I have it setup on my media center straight to my entertainment system.

I record my weekly TV Episodes automatically and play back my video files out of the EZ look play list.

Hmm, is that PCI? I need USB2 for my laptop.

[dun4cheap]

Simply buy the ATI TV Wonder USB2 Tuner with remote. It works the same way or even the ATI TV Elite. I know bestbuy has them along with circuit city.

[ThePMonkey]

Simply buy the ATI TV Wonder USB2 Tuner with remote. It works the same way or even the ATI TV Elite. I know bestbuy has them along with circuit city.

That looks appealing. How much space does an hour of recording take? (Can I make it smaller too? I plan on using this to record TV shows I miss, not to permanently archive stuff, though that's be nice.)

Also, not to put you down, but has anyone else used the ATI TV Wonder? I'm looking for a broad ange of opinions.

[dun4cheap]

You can select the format you want to record it in. ATI VCR, DIVX, MPEG2, MPEG1 etc. You can setup your own presets. Like selecting SP, LP etc on your vcr, just with the ATI Remote.

The ati tv card will work with different PVR software, but it has its own as well, plus it comes with Guide Plus.

[ThePMonkey]

I think you may have me.

EDIT: Ooooh, just looked at the CNET user reviews 3.4/10. I'm just afraid I'll get something that stinks, or is too hard to use and it'll sit in the box under my bed.

[dun4cheap]

Check this link

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6840118&type=product&id=1093468042221

I have not heard about any problems. Its pretty straight forward. Buy it locally, if you have a problem with it take it back.

I have been using mine for over a year now. I also run a web server of the same computer.

The cool thing is the Remote is awesome as well and will work for other PVR setups. Its RF not infared. My PVR transmits on a dedicated cable line in the house and I can control it from any room in the house because the remote is RF.

[ThePMonkey]

Amazingly enough, I still haven't settled down on what to buy. I'm curious as to, 1. How badly does the quality suffer as compared to PCI (and I have a laptop, so no PCI for me, and I'm only looking to record shows for one time viewings if I miss them live, not permenant archiving), and 2. Is it possible to watch a show while i's still recording (Example: I'm taping a show from 9 to 10, can I start watching it at 9:20 without messing up the recording)?

[reboot]

Just get the PVR-USB2.0
It'll do everything (and more).
It's the same quality as the PVR-250 PCI card.
Yes, you can watch while it's recording, without messing anything up, because the encoding is done in hardware, so as long as your hard drive can keep up, you have no problems.

[ThePMonkey]

Cool. I'll do it. My computer should have no problem, it's about 6 months old, 512MB RAM and 60 GB harddrive.