LinuxMCE Forums

General => Users => Topic started by: lomeshp on January 10, 2012, 07:12:29 pm

Title: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 10, 2012, 07:12:29 pm
Hi.

I just discovered LinuxMCE today!  What an awesome system.  After searching through many websites, I was unable to find a answer to my question.  Anyone with any advise will be helpful.

I plan on getting Verizon FIOS in a few weeks.  I have three HD tvs in the house.  I want to be able to watch LIVE HD TV and watch recorded HD shows.  If I only get one HD receiver from Verizon, is this possible to record HD Stream in LinuxMCE?  I understand with one box I can only watch or record one channel at a time, but that is no problem.  However, I do want to be able to watch Live HD TV from any of my 3 TVS.  Is this possible?  If yes, what hardware would I need to make this happen?

Thank you in advance.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: Aviator on January 10, 2012, 07:15:48 pm
You need a Hauppauge HD PVR box to record the stream.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 10, 2012, 07:18:38 pm
Not sure if that answered my question.  Can I watch HD tv in three different rooms with LinuxMCE and single Verizone Fios box?
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: mhorst on January 10, 2012, 09:18:59 pm
It is possible, provided you can get the HD signal into your computer and a way for your computer to switch the channels on the HD receiver.
How do you do that? I'm not 100% sure, but I guess you need the hardware mentioned in Aviator's answer :)

Note: I don't have a HD receiver, but I do have two TVs, each connected (only) to a Media Director PC, and a third computer in my wiring closet connected to the analog TV cable via a Hauppage PVR-500; works perfectly, I can watch live TV on any of the TV screens in my house.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: Schmich on January 11, 2012, 03:02:07 am
Yeah, you connect the set-top box to the Hauppauge HD PVR through the component input. If this works like DVB-S/T then you can even watch on all 3 TVs at the same time (the same channel ofc). I don't have this type setup so I have no idea how much configuration needs to be done including for setting up an IR blaster to change channels.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: _if_ on January 11, 2012, 05:26:57 pm
basically you don't need a seperate receiver at all, get a TV card and connect it to the core or MD...you then will be able to stream TV to any MD in your house, that's what the system is designed for.
Or is there any reason why you want to use a receiver?
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 11, 2012, 05:33:11 pm
Will I be streaming HD to other TV?  Also, what is MD?
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: _if_ on January 11, 2012, 05:46:29 pm
you should really get an idea about what LinuxMCE is first. This is a good start: http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User_Manual (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User_Manual)
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 11, 2012, 05:56:59 pm
Thank you all for the response.  I will have to try it out and see how it goes.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: Techstyle on January 11, 2012, 07:40:53 pm
look at my setup:

http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User:Techstyle (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/User:Techstyle)

you can see the HD PVR is connected to the Cable box by Component video and Optical digital Audio.  This captures a stream from the cable box in HD.  The Cable Box (and other components in my system) recieve Infrared commands from the USB-UIRT (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/USB_UIRT (http://wiki.linuxmce.org/index.php/USB_UIRT)), which is connected to the same core/MD as the HD PVR. 

Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: kyfalcon on January 11, 2012, 09:17:02 pm
It is my understanding that verizon sets their CCI bit to copy freely which means the ceton 4 in one card is available for your use. I have it working, although it can be a little flaky, because i built my own verion of mythtv.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 13, 2012, 06:51:21 pm
@TechStyle, so now you can watch Live HD stream from the cable box on on your master bedroom TV?

@kyfalcon, not sure what you mean by "verizon sets their CCI bit to copy freely which means the ceton 4 in one card is available for your use."  Can you explain please?

Thank you,
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: Techstyle on January 13, 2012, 08:49:15 pm
I have some issues at the moment which means my system is pulled down but yes the live hd stream can be watched through out the network on any MD.

When I say live I mean delayed by the time it takes for the hdpvr to covert the signal to a digital one
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: kyfalcon on January 13, 2012, 09:32:28 pm
@TechStyle, so now you can watch Live HD stream from the cable box on on your master bedroom TV?

@kyfalcon, not sure what you mean by "verizon sets their CCI bit to copy freely which means the ceton 4 in one card is available for your use."  Can you explain please?

Thank you,


The signal comes from fios as an encrypted signal. The ceton card is capable of decrypting this and processing the signal if the CCI bit is set to copy freely. The ceton card has 4 tuners which means this will act like 4 HD tuners in one.

Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 14, 2012, 05:24:26 pm
I think ceton 4 is an awesome option.   I did contact their customer support regarding use on Linux and this is the reply I got back

Quote
Most Verizon systems across the country do not currently copy protect above the level that linux users can access (CCI 0). Be advised though that they could change their policy in the future.

We don't currently have a USB driver for linux, so you would want to go with the PCIe version right now.

 So while I am excited about using the Ceton card with LinuxMCE, it is a bit worry some incase Verizon decides to drop the support.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: jonwilliom on January 16, 2012, 07:47:49 am
at the time of the registration .the site admin asked very tough question but this is very good for the security purpose.Because there are many spammer who always misuse the site.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: klovell on January 16, 2012, 10:31:01 pm
I think ceton 4 is an awesome option.   I did contact their customer support regarding use on Linux and this is the reply I got back

 So while I am excited about using the Ceton card with LinuxMCE, it is a bit worry some incase Verizon decides to drop the support.

I have Fios and got the exact opposite response when I asked them this same question.   

First, They told me that a setup box was absolutely necessary.  A regular old tv tuner card wont work.  The ONT that verizon installs on site only converts fiber to coax and/or CAT.  The coax is still carrying an IP signal after the conversion which I guess is different than the cable companys signal over coax.  The verizon setup box and network is an all IP base system.  The stb gets an IP address from your fios router and that's how it gets guide data and the extra digital content which includes video on demand.  I can confirm that much to be true.  The Cable content comes from a IP network that is hidden from the end user.  I guess if you can hack into the ONT you might be able to see it, but they also told me it's an unmanaged device so there isn't really anything to hack.  You'll need to know a little bit about IP networking to configure Lmce and the fios router to work together and give you all the features of both systems.  I ended up putting my fios router in it's own vlan, configured nat and called it a day.  My fios routers only client is the stb and the wireless is turned off, and it's setup as it's own little network hanging out outside my firewall. That was the easiest solution, espeacially considering talking to verizon support about IP networking is like speaking to a brick wall... or maybe a 1 year old, either way you wont get much help there.   The tech guys best help was pointing out where the backup and restore feature was in the router... f'ing idot...

Second, They told me i'd have to use thier PCI card for getting channels on my computer and that none of thier PCI cards is supported in linux.  It support Windows and media center only. 

I suggest reaching out to Verizon tech support.  Tech support can also be a waste of time however.  At least you'll hear yes it will work or no it wont striaght from the source.  I've asked them twice already, but post back or send me a PM if you get a different answer.  I'd love to plug my fios directly into my core.  These people are idiots though, they're just reading scripts, it's very possible you're going to waste $300 on a Ceton card.  Just an example, they told me that my stb couldn't be controlled remotely via IR, that I can only use the IR reciever built into the front of the STB.  So I asked "well, why is there a remote IR port on the back of the box?", they told me to hold, then the ass cames back on the phone and says "that port is for plugging in a remote IR reciever"... WHAT?!?  After I pointed out his contradiction he tells me that they don't sell or offer the IR reciever.  Long story short, they do have and sell the IR reciever but I got mine for free.  Just one of many brain cell killing conversations i've had with verizon tech support. 

Good luck.
Title: Re: New User Question
Post by: lomeshp on January 17, 2012, 05:50:19 pm
Thanks klovell for that detailed info.  I plan on getting FIOS next month, so will post my results then.