LinuxMCE Forums

General => Developers => Topic started by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 07:55:07 am

Title: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 07:55:07 am
Has anyone looked at the Sling Media Slingbox and SlingBox Pro?

I think it's proprietary, but if possible, these would be awesome to 'implement'..
www.slingmedia.com (http://www.slingmedia.com)
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: 1audio on January 06, 2008, 08:39:43 am
They are proprietary and they are now property of Echostar. I don't know if an SDK is available but it seems a lot of their capability is already in MythTV. And Hava does the same and claims to be opensource or at least available. Sling is promoting its new HD model. it seems the old HD model isn't (and it really is not even SD) so they are spinning a new box. if the new one is really HD then it could be used to capture HD and bring it into LMCE.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 08:41:08 am
1audio,

Thanks for the hint about Hava, going to hunt them down now..

Dan
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 06, 2008, 09:10:11 am
Has anyone looked at the Sling Media Slingbox and SlingBox Pro?

I think it's proprietary, but if possible, these would be awesome to 'implement'..
www.slingmedia.com (http://www.slingmedia.com)

Hmmm... the problem with Slingbox is that they encrypt the stream so that would need to implement use their client (no implementation for Linux as far as I know) or reverse engineer the encryption (I'm sure thats possible... but is it worth it?). On plus side the Slingbox can be remotely controlled so they must have an IP based remote command set... but it would be possible to IR blast it too.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 09:54:01 am
The Hava seems to be a MUCH better fit..
it can stream RTSP (Standard protocol) and we can use VLC as a client..
We should be able to implement that fairly easily...
Basically the same as a Slingbox, but open standards, cheaper (less expensive)
and, it can stream a complete TS stream to the local network!  Perfect!

Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 06, 2008, 10:15:32 am
The Hava seems to be a MUCH better fit..
it can stream RTSP (Standard protocol) and we can use VLC as a client..
We should be able to implement that fairly easily...
Basically the same as a Slingbox, but open standards, cheaper (less expensive)
and, it can stream a complete TS stream to the local network!  Perfect!

Hava look like strong competition to Sling I agree

...but our vdr implimentation already does everything HAVA does... TS streaming to any PC on the home network and you can use VLC as the client or an MD. You have to be in a DVB region though

Problem is yo
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 10:18:45 am
Yeah, but I'm thinking of using this as a CAPTURE device to capture HD content from a STB..
(I have a few StarChoice HD receivers that I'd like to capture the HD content...)

Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 10:20:52 am
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 06, 2008, 10:32:29 am
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)

We have a vdr plugin for that in development (you obviously need a card with component-in on-board too) that would be used to capture the output of a UK Sky TV STB or any other external video source. That source then appears as a special channel in the TV channel list. Then a PC or an MD on the network can request a stream from that source and watch it (or record it). All recording is done at the Core. Multiple PC's or MD's can watch the stream concurrently.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 06, 2008, 10:35:46 am
Do you have any specs on that card?  I've been looking for a Component IN card for a while...
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: tschak909 on January 06, 2008, 08:27:46 pm
as have I. The Slingboxes are terrible.

-Thom
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 06, 2008, 08:52:07 pm
Do you have any specs on that card?  I've been looking for a Component IN card for a while...


No I don't... but if there is one then we'd be able to use it
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 06, 2008, 08:53:24 pm
as have I. The Slingboxes are terrible.

-Thom

I agree Thom
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: colinjones on January 06, 2008, 09:21:27 pm
Totallymaxed - if that "input" presents as a single channel on the TV list, does LMCE then use ir blasting to change the feeding STB's channel? And if so, how does that control present itself in the GUI - presumably LMCE is just going to think that it has changed channel... end of task. But we would then need to choose the actual channel on, for instance, the UK Sky TV STB... I am thinking for Foxtel cable here in AU, who are frustratingly arrogant about not letting you decode their pay TV service or provide any other way of getting the content in digitally, seemingly unlike any other decent pay TV service in the world! Don't get me started on that one!!
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on January 07, 2008, 01:30:54 am
Totallymaxed - if that "input" presents as a single channel on the TV list, does LMCE then use ir blasting to change the feeding STB's channel? And if so, how does that control present itself in the GUI - presumably LMCE is just going to think that it has changed channel... end of task. But we would then need to choose the actual channel on, for instance, the UK Sky TV STB... I am thinking for Foxtel cable here in AU, who are frustratingly arrogant about not letting you decode their pay TV service or provide any other way of getting the content in digitally, seemingly unlike any other decent pay TV service in the world! Don't get me started on that one!!

Analog in will not be in the first release of vdr for lmce-0710. But when we release analog-in we will just support live viewing and instant/scheduled recording of the analog input. It is unlikely we will have integrated blasting the first release of analog-in.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: 1audio on January 07, 2008, 08:24:47 am
HD capture is a major weakness and no HD capture cards for Linux exist. In fact the only HD capture stuff out there uses either SDI or HDMI  and the HDMI card only works on windows and 720P and non-hdcp sources. The Sling HD gives cell phone video quality or worse than some newer phones. They have announced a new HD box for delivery in 9 months. There are pro boxes for lots of money that capture to MPEG2 and H.264 but they are SDI in and converting to SDI is expensive.

I have a Hava box and can make it available to a developer for a serious integration effort. They may be working on a newer version as well.  However for all the HD noise the mpeg chip is only DVD standard definition quality output. So you may as well use a normal capture card.

MythTV seems to have the transcoding and other hooks to make a slingbox type of gadget inside LMCE.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: ddamron on January 07, 2008, 09:56:15 am
1audio,

That's my point, there's virtually NO HD Capturing devices available (at a reasonable price)..

I've been reading up on the Hava products..  Even if they are DVD quality, at least it's a method of getting a component OUT (back) into digital form!

I'm not familiar with lmce enough to tackle that, but maybe soon..  I personally think that is a HUGE feature..  and it seems the Hava is, so far, the best fit.

All we really need to do is capture the stream and save it to disk...  Shouldn't be THAT hard should it?

Maybe I can do it in Ruby! (heh, wouldn't THAT be cool eh?)

Regards,

Dan

(PS, I'll do more reading on it and see if I can work with it..)

Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: krys on April 07, 2009, 08:54:44 pm
Ddamron,
did you run into a dead end, or just lose interest. I like the potential that this product has to stream my STB content in HD.
http://www.myhava.com/products.html
-Krys
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: nite_man on April 08, 2009, 01:50:13 pm
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)

We have a vdr plugin for that in development (you obviously need a card with component-in on-board too) that would be used to capture the output of a UK Sky TV STB or any other external video source. That source then appears as a special channel in the TV channel list. Then a PC or an MD on the network can request a stream from that source and watch it (or record it). All recording is done at the Core. Multiple PC's or MD's can watch the stream concurrently.

There is a VDR plugin for Sky. Have you try it?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on April 08, 2009, 02:27:00 pm
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)

We have a vdr plugin for that in development (you obviously need a card with component-in on-board too) that would be used to capture the output of a UK Sky TV STB or any other external video source. That source then appears as a special channel in the TV channel list. Then a PC or an MD on the network can request a stream from that source and watch it (or record it). All recording is done at the Core. Multiple PC's or MD's can watch the stream concurrently.

There is a VDR plugin for Sky. Have you try it?

We now use the IPTV plugin for vdr and a SkyBoxPlayer device in LinuxMCE to do this. We also use the SkyBoxPlayer for situations where we are not capturing the output of the Sky box(s) but are controlling the Sky Box and then using a video Matrix switch to route the video to any number of screens.

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 06, 2009, 07:21:28 pm
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)

We have a vdr plugin for that in development (you obviously need a card with component-in on-board too) that would be used to capture the output of a UK Sky TV STB or any other external video source. That source then appears as a special channel in the TV channel list. Then a PC or an MD on the network can request a stream from that source and watch it (or record it). All recording is done at the Core. Multiple PC's or MD's can watch the stream concurrently.

There is a VDR plugin for Sky. Have you try it?

We now use the IPTV plugin for vdr and a SkyBoxPlayer device in LinuxMCE to do this. We also use the SkyBoxPlayer for situations where we are not capturing the output of the Sky box(s) but are controlling the Sky Box and then using a video Matrix switch to route the video to any number of screens.

Andrew

What is a SkyBoxPlayer  and how you turn the Sky Output in a stream?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 08, 2009, 01:13:24 pm
Using VDR, how would you CAPTURE a Component Signal?
(That's where the Hava would come in handy)

We have a vdr plugin for that in development (you obviously need a card with component-in on-board too) that would be used to capture the output of a UK Sky TV STB or any other external video source. That source then appears as a special channel in the TV channel list. Then a PC or an MD on the network can request a stream from that source and watch it (or record it). All recording is done at the Core. Multiple PC's or MD's can watch the stream concurrently.

There is a VDR plugin for Sky. Have you try it?

We now use the IPTV plugin for vdr and a SkyBoxPlayer device in LinuxMCE to do this. We also use the SkyBoxPlayer for situations where we are not capturing the output of the Sky box(s) but are controlling the Sky Box and then using a video Matrix switch to route the video to any number of screens.

Andrew

What is a SkyBoxPlayer  and how you turn the Sky Output in a stream?

The SkyBoxPlayer is a LinuxMCE device we ship with Dianemo. The only way to turn a Sky box's analog output into a stream is with a video capture card.

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 08, 2009, 02:36:03 pm
The SkyBoxPlayer is a LinuxMCE device we ship with Dianemo. The only way to turn a Sky box's analog output into a stream is with a video capture card.

1) Is it generally available to the community?
2) Which capture card do you use?

Ta!
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 08, 2009, 02:42:20 pm
Let me understand,
You capture directly the rf cable of the antenna in a DVB-S and decode the signal or you capture the S-Video/Component or HDMI output of the STB? Like with a Hauppauge Card?

Anyone have experienced HAVA? How it's the qualty, and there's the annoing delay between the real source and the mpeg2 stream as the hauppauge for example?

Thanks,
Martino.



Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 08, 2009, 04:34:42 pm
The SkyBoxPlayer is a LinuxMCE device we ship with Dianemo. The only way to turn a Sky box's analog output into a stream is with a video capture card.

1) Is it generally available to the community?
2) Which capture card do you use?

Ta!

Yes the SkyBoxPlayer will be available in 0810

We do not use capture cards very often as the quality of captured video is not that wonderful and the 'lag' is also annoying when trying to watch/control a live stream. But if we do we have used PVR150/250/350 cards...but all of these are now getting very hard to obtain as Hauppauge have discontinued manufacturing them. So I would suggest looking at this newer Hauppauge card;

http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-4000 (http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-4000)

This card now has good support for all of its features apart from the analog TV tuner... but would need updated drivers from v4l and also ideally a new device template so that it was PnP.

All the best

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 08, 2009, 05:18:59 pm

Yes the SkyBoxPlayer will be available in 0810
You are a true gentleman :) I take it that it is a device specification to control the Sky box (obvious question, but just needed to check!)
We do not use capture cards very often as the quality of captured video is not that wonderful and the 'lag' is also annoying when trying to watch/control a live stream. But if we do we have used PVR150/250/350 cards...but all of these are now getting very hard to obtain as Hauppauge have discontinued manufacturing them. So I would suggest looking at this newer Hauppauge card;

http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-4000 (http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hauppauge_WinTV-HVR-4000)

This card now has good support for all of its features apart from the analog TV tuner... but would need updated drivers from v4l and also ideally a new device template so that it was PnP.
Thanks, I'll see if I can find one. I'm not too concerned about analog TV tuner, the idea is to use this for my Sky STB and get some DVB-S cards (and a Quad LNB) for the free channels. I know that means I will only be able to record / watch one encrypted channel at a time, but it sure beats what I have now!
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 08, 2009, 05:35:57 pm
The HVR-4000 has the annoing "lag",as far as you know?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 08, 2009, 06:54:00 pm

Yes the SkyBoxPlayer will be available in 0810
You are a true gentleman :) I take it that it is a device specification to control the Sky box (obvious question, but just needed to check!)
SkyBoxPlayer is a complete device with DCE plugin etc....it can use either a dedicated RF2 control interface or IR Blasting.

Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 08, 2009, 06:56:25 pm
The HVR-4000 has the annoing "lag",as far as you know?

Well we have not tested an HVR-4000 so I cant comment on 'lag'...but on the basis that its a later design I would guess that its performance in that area will be improved. Its certainly a flexible card for the money.

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 08, 2009, 07:15:14 pm
it can use either a dedicated RF2 control interface or IR Blasting.
Sorry to appear stupid here - I was under the impression that there wasn't a method of controlling a Sky box other than IR Blasting. Could you explain RF2?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 10, 2009, 10:54:23 pm
it can use either a dedicated RF2 control interface or IR Blasting.
Sorry to appear stupid here - I was under the impression that there wasn't a method of controlling a Sky box other than IR Blasting. Could you explain RF2?

All Sky boxes support control commands sent to the RF2 port at the rear of the STB (this is a one-way interface with no command ack's). The Sky box RF2 port also emits EPG data continuously while the STB box is powered up but support for grabbing the EPG data from this port is still in development and is not currently supported.

All the best

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 10, 2009, 11:27:44 pm
All Sky boxes support control commands sent to the RF2 port at the rear of the STB (this is a one-way interface with no command ack's). The Sky box RF2 port also emits EPG data continuously while the STB box is powered up but support for grabbing the EPG data from this port is still in development and is not currently supported.

Cool, that's gotta beat using an IR blaster :)

How would I interface to this port (I believe it's intended to be the second RF output and I assume this feature is how the commands from the remote in the second room get there?) Then I guess it's just a case of waiting for SkyBoxPlayer  ;D
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 11, 2009, 09:09:06 am
Take a look of this.

http://www.dusky-control.com/serial.shtml
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 11, 2009, 09:18:51 am
Take a look of this.

http://www.dusky-control.com/serial.shtml
WOW!

Spot-on what I'm after (although I'd probably use the USB version, if it's compatible).

I'm still in the process of building my MCE box, so have no experience (yet) of adding devices and/or writing my own templates. Is this unit already working, or will I have my work cut out?

Now, if only I hadn't ordered a dual-output IR Blaster  ;D
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 11, 2009, 10:06:56 am
Well, i think you'll need anyway a I/R blaster, to control the other device in your home or office.

What have you ordered?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 11, 2009, 10:36:59 am
Well, i think you'll need anyway a I/R blaster, to control the other device in your home or office.

True, however in my living room (where my STB is) I only have 2 devices. The TV and the STB. If I can control the STB without IR, then I only need one IR output (the TV). Unfortunately, when the new TV arrived (I wasn't around when the old unit blew up and so wasn't involved in the decision) it didn't have a serial control. I may save up and get an LG unit with one and then I won't need a blaster in there at all. Other rooms will have (at most) a television, so again a single blaster is all that is needed.
What have you ordered?
The kit was ordered from HighTechPad.com. The blaster is http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=content/usb-uirt-56k-enchanced-version (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=content/usb-uirt-56k-enchanced-version) and the dual emitter is http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/34 (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/34)

The other reason I would have preferred a single emitter (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/37 (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/37)) is that it doesn't have an LED that blinks when in use.

Never mind, you live and learn!

Thanks again for your help. I fear w've not only hijacked the thread, but also wandered somewhat off-topic. I'll post a new thread if I have any further questions  ;D
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 11, 2009, 10:52:13 am
Take a look of this.

http://www.dusky-control.com/serial.shtml
WOW!

Spot-on what I'm after (although I'd probably use the USB version, if it's compatible).

I'm still in the process of building my MCE box, so have no experience (yet) of adding devices and/or writing my own templates. Is this unit already working, or will I have my work cut out?

Now, if only I hadn't ordered a dual-output IR Blaster  ;D

As massabuntu says the Dusky interface is the one we use (search the Forum for earlier threads where this is discussed) and yes it attaches to RF2 as I mentioned earlier. However I would 'walk slowly along' this path...if you have not even built your Core yet! Jumping in and trying to integrate a Sky box as you first step in learning LinuxMCE is probably not the best idea... take your time to learn the basics and then move onto more advanced stuff like external device control.

You'll still need an IR receiver on your Core/MD's so thats not wasted (and you might want to IR blast other devices too).

All the best

Andrew

PS we use the USB based Dusky
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 11, 2009, 11:01:24 am
Well, i think you'll need anyway a I/R blaster, to control the other device in your home or office.

True, however in my living room (where my STB is) I only have 2 devices. The TV and the STB. If I can control the STB without IR, then I only need one IR output (the TV). Unfortunately, when the new TV arrived (I wasn't around when the old unit blew up and so wasn't involved in the decision) it didn't have a serial control. I may save up and get an LG unit with one and then I won't need a blaster in there at all. Other rooms will have (at most) a television, so again a single blaster is all that is needed.
What have you ordered?
The kit was ordered from HighTechPad.com. The blaster is http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=content/usb-uirt-56k-enchanced-version (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=content/usb-uirt-56k-enchanced-version) and the dual emitter is http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/34 (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/34)

The other reason I would have preferred a single emitter (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/37 (http://www.hightechpad.com/?q=node/37)) is that it doesn't have an LED that blinks when in use.

Never mind, you live and learn!

Thanks again for your help. I fear w've not only hijacked the thread, but also wandered somewhat off-topic. I'll post a new thread if I have any further questions  ;D

The USB-UIRT is plug-n-play and will work fine as an IR receiver and blaster in LinuxMCE. You'll need an IR receiver anyway so buying the USB-UIRT is not in anyway a bad choice.

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 11, 2009, 11:14:49 am
Thanks again, Andrew, for you always valuable advice!

As massabuntu says the Dusky interface is the one we use (search the Forum for earlier threads where this is discussed) and yes it attaches to RF2 as I mentioned earlier. However I would 'walk slowly along' this path...if you have not even built your Core yet! Jumping in and trying to integrate a Sky box as you first step in learning LinuxMCE is probably not the best idea... take your time to learn the basics and then move onto more advanced stuff like external device control.

You'll still need an IR receiver on your Core/MD's so thats not wasted (and you might want to IR blast other devices too).
I'm having a dedicated core in a closet, so I don't think that's going to need a blaster. My wince wasn't actually at the blaster (which I will need on the MD's anyway for remote control input, right?) but at the dual emitter.

I'm a tad curious, though. You say to go slowly with the Sky integration. Without it, what use is my MCE system? I won't have any media input! (Yes, I can rip DVDs or download torrents, but my primary aim is to have a sort of networked Sky+ / Tivo type system). The project started seriously for two reasons:-

My living-room VHS/DVD player is bust and needs replacing anyway.
The family are all complaining that (at the moment) the only place they can watch TV is the living room (where the STB is). I don't have any terrestrial aerials and don't want to be running co-ax all around the house from the STB. The 4-year old had programs he "Must" watch which are often repeats anyway (How sick am I of Ben 10!) but this hogs the family TV and STB.

My plan is to get the first MD working in the living room, which solves issue 1. Then to add MDs in the bedrooms to deal with issue 2. Eventually, Home Automation and the other sexy stuff will probably follow, but that's down the road some way :) I hope to then have the system automagically collect the various series for family members meaning that more and more we will be watching recordings, not live TV (especially Ben 10!)

I have ordered a PVR150 card which I'll use to grab the Sky signal on the MD. I'm aware of HD and other quality issues being reported, but at this stage the family will just be happy if they get something as good as an old analogue aerial signal in their rooms! I'm sure the PVR / MD / MCE combination will manage that.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 11, 2009, 02:29:21 pm
Maybe you want to take a look to MythTV.
Could be easier to install, but maybe this is not the place to discuss it.


BR,
Martino.
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 11, 2009, 03:18:37 pm
Thanks again, Andrew, for you always valuable advice!

As massabuntu says the Dusky interface is the one we use (search the Forum for earlier threads where this is discussed) and yes it attaches to RF2 as I mentioned earlier. However I would 'walk slowly along' this path...if you have not even built your Core yet! Jumping in and trying to integrate a Sky box as you first step in learning LinuxMCE is probably not the best idea... take your time to learn the basics and then move onto more advanced stuff like external device control.

You'll still need an IR receiver on your Core/MD's so thats not wasted (and you might want to IR blast other devices too).
I'm having a dedicated core in a closet, so I don't think that's going to need a blaster. My wince wasn't actually at the blaster (which I will need on the MD's anyway for remote control input, right?) but at the dual emitter.

I'm a tad curious, though. You say to go slowly with the Sky integration. Without it, what use is my MCE system? I won't have any media input! (Yes, I can rip DVDs or download torrents, but my primary aim is to have a sort of networked Sky+ / Tivo type system). The project started seriously for two reasons:-
I'm just trying to set your expectation levels...LinuxMCE can do all you want and more...but it is a powerful but complex system to understand/learn/configure/install. We do installations like yours every week for customers and so as with anything else in life if you do it often it becomes second nature. So just be aware that doing what you describe will have a pretty steep learning curve and you will hit problems. My approach would be to do your installation in stages so that you learn the system as you go and also gain the satisfaction and confidence of making the basics work smoothly before you try and do the more sophisticated things. This approach will be more rewarding and far less frustrating.
Quote
My living-room VHS/DVD player is bust and needs replacing anyway.
The family are all complaining that (at the moment) the only place they can watch TV is the living room (where the STB is). I don't have any terrestrial aerials and don't want to be running co-ax all around the house from the STB. The 4-year old had programs he "Must" watch which are often repeats anyway (How sick am I of Ben 10!) but this hogs the family TV and STB.

My plan is to get the first MD working in the living room, which solves issue 1. Then to add MDs in the bedrooms to deal with issue 2. Eventually, Home Automation and the other sexy stuff will probably follow, but that's down the road some way :) I hope to then have the system automagically collect the various series for family members meaning that more and more we will be watching recordings, not live TV (especially Ben 10!)
well the above all seems reasonable and doable...apart from the part about 'automagically' recording TV shows...if you want this too happen via your Sky box then your expectations are set a little high as this is not currently possible via a capture card as LinuxMCE (whether you use vdr or MythTV) cannot pickup the real time EPG data from Sky.
Quote
I have ordered a PVR150 card which I'll use to grab the Sky signal on the MD. I'm aware of HD and other quality issues being reported, but at this stage the family will just be happy if they get something as good as an old analogue aerial signal in their rooms! I'm sure the PVR / MD / MCE combination will manage that.
See my note above about the issue of 'automagically' recording Sky shows.

All the best

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: wierdbeard65 on June 11, 2009, 03:32:18 pm
well the above all seems reasonable and doable...apart from the part about 'automagically' recording TV shows...if you want this too happen via your Sky box then your expectations are set a little high as this is not currently possible via a capture card as LinuxMCE (whether you use vdr or MythTV) cannot pickup the real time EPG data from Sky.

Oh  :(

I was under the impression that the EPG data was (or could be) downloaded over the web as an XML file? Is this not the case? Where does the EPG come from?

I appreciate your other comments. I am trying to be realistic and used to hacking around with systems. I know I need to get my core set up before I can get the MDs going. But I'm hoping to get the MDs going with the PVR card from day1 Is that unrealistic?
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: totallymaxed on June 11, 2009, 04:03:29 pm
well the above all seems reasonable and doable...apart from the part about 'automagically' recording TV shows...if you want this too happen via your Sky box then your expectations are set a little high as this is not currently possible via a capture card as LinuxMCE (whether you use vdr or MythTV) cannot pickup the real time EPG data from Sky.

Oh  :(

I was under the impression that the EPG data was (or could be) downloaded over the web as an XML file? Is this not the case? Where does the EPG come from?

I appreciate your other comments. I am trying to be realistic and used to hacking around with systems. I know I need to get my core set up before I can get the MDs going. But I'm hoping to get the MDs going with the PVR card from day1 Is that unrealistic?

Well there are some attempts to capture the Sky EPG data and these work with varying degrees of success eg http://sourceforge.net/projects/tvgrabeit/ (http://sourceforge.net/projects/tvgrabeit/) but none are currently integrated into LinuxMCE and none as far as I know support 'series link' or stacking etc. So you would have to work on intergrating this into LinuxMCE yourself or at least kick off the effort and get some other Forum members to assist. My point was this capability is just not there sitting waiting for you to 'turn it on'... and this is another aspect of the complexity and the learning curve I was hinting at in my last post - its all 'doable' but will need some effort on your part.

I would allow yourself a 'week end' to get your Core working and an MD added together with MythTV or vdr setup...but you will still have a lot more todo after that. But after that 'notional' weekend you should have a working Core, be able to rip audio/DVD discs and hopefully watch record some TV. But dont be surprised if it takes longer than expected...because it probably will!

But the sooner you start the sooner you will start to learn your way around this powerful, exciting (sometimes frustrating too!!) and unique HA system...there is nothing like actually getting your hands 'dirty' with LinuxMCE to get the learning processes moving ;-)

All the best

Andrew
Title: Re: SlingBox
Post by: massabuntu on June 11, 2009, 11:54:28 pm
Here in Italy i use xmltv very well to download the EPG.
What Andrew said it's true and my advice remain the same.

With your needs,i would start with mythtv, the PVR-150 is fully supported (as in Lmce) has a great scheduling
system, ir blasting, variuos plugins.

I'm not triying to advise against LinuxMCE, but installing a mythtv system could gave you the right experiene to understand in a second time linuxmce.

Said that, LinuxMCE rocks!  ;D