Using PC as pvr ?
Discussion
Apologies to the repost Bib, had a search and couldnt find anything.
Is it possible to link my pc to my Sky box and use it like a sky+ box ?
I have heard of a web based program that you pay a small sub for that will do "Autorecording" ala sky+.
If so, what,when and how please ?
Cheers
F
Is it possible to link my pc to my Sky box and use it like a sky+ box ?
I have heard of a web based program that you pay a small sub for that will do "Autorecording" ala sky+.
If so, what,when and how please ?
Cheers
F
Yes it is possible.
However first the downsides. Because Sky, NTL, et al haven't released the specfications to their signal you can't replace the STB with a computer.
You will need some hardware to handle the video capture (I have a PVR-300 card, a little long in the tooth) some software (gb-pvr, MediaPortal, MythTV or Microsoft Windows MCE) which will handle the recording/playback/sheduling and so on. Now you'll also need a peice of software to go and get the program guide. XMLTV is generally used but it's a bit crufty and the text interface is not for the faint hearted (Hell I avoid it at all costs and I'm renound for having multiple console's open) Alan Birtles provides a free utility that will download from radiotimes and write it to a compatible file for importing in to the recording software.
Once you've got all of this working... and it can take sometime to tweak it properly. You have the basics of a Sky+ box. Although the PVR won't be able to change channels on the STB, for that you need a little peice of hardware; I use a RedEye serial IR device. That way when the PVR goes "Change channel to 101" the STB follows and your program is recorded.
Simplest option is to get the Sky+ box really. Unless your looking at building a media hub and sharing recordings/live TV/Music and such over a network.
However first the downsides. Because Sky, NTL, et al haven't released the specfications to their signal you can't replace the STB with a computer.
You will need some hardware to handle the video capture (I have a PVR-300 card, a little long in the tooth) some software (gb-pvr, MediaPortal, MythTV or Microsoft Windows MCE) which will handle the recording/playback/sheduling and so on. Now you'll also need a peice of software to go and get the program guide. XMLTV is generally used but it's a bit crufty and the text interface is not for the faint hearted (Hell I avoid it at all costs and I'm renound for having multiple console's open) Alan Birtles provides a free utility that will download from radiotimes and write it to a compatible file for importing in to the recording software.
Once you've got all of this working... and it can take sometime to tweak it properly. You have the basics of a Sky+ box. Although the PVR won't be able to change channels on the STB, for that you need a little peice of hardware; I use a RedEye serial IR device. That way when the PVR goes "Change channel to 101" the STB follows and your program is recorded.
Simplest option is to get the Sky+ box really. Unless your looking at building a media hub and sharing recordings/live TV/Music and such over a network.
Gassing Station | Computers, Gadgets & Stuff | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff