Messages

1

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 24, 2009, 09:12:36 pm »

Merkur2k,
In your previous post you referenced analog cards which are out of production.  I did read your post and have been to the wiki page for TV Tuners.  I was looking for some personal references for cards which are currently in production and work well with LinuxMCE. 

I figured that there were many others like me building their first machine and looking for new components.  Therefore, I began this topic.

I really appreciate all of the input from the various people who have responded and hope that it will continue.

2

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 24, 2009, 07:25:50 pm »

Andrew,
My apologies for the confusion.  I am just trying to make the leap from Windows to Linux.  While reading your post, I guess that I had on my "Windows Glasses" and was viewing things from that perspective.  I do understand that Linux does not have drivers to support that particular card and that people are working diligently to resolve that. 

Can you recommend a TV Tuner card for analog TV which will work well with LinuxMCE?

Thanks for your help and patience.
Dave

3

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 24, 2009, 06:58:34 pm »

I was under the impression that it was only the driver which was required, not a modification to LinuxMCE.  It appears that there are some conflicting posts.  Would someone please clarify this issue.

Unfortunately Dave its not that LinuxMCE-0710 does not support the analog side of the 2250 card...its that as of right now there is no driver support in Linux for the analog side of the card. As you can see the SAA7134 driver project is moving to 'stage 2' and this will focus on the analog side of the card. Therefore in due course this limitation will get removed...but that will not be in the immediate future. Which is why I would suggest that you look for an alternative card in the mean time;

You still aren't understanding the problem, the device isn't supported in Linux itself yet, which means *no* version of LinuxMCE can support it!

4

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 24, 2009, 06:50:47 pm »

Andrew,
Thanks so much for your post.  I have been following the website you included.  That is great news that the driver project is in "stage 2".  Do you know if LinuxMCE810 will be out in a more stable version before the driver for 710?  Just wondering.

It seems like this tuner is the route to go if it works properly.

Should I forget about 710 and just go with 810?  Does 810 have a driver for the 2250?  I would think that the 2250 is not that different from the other Hauppauge cards which do have drivers.  Is there a way to modify or use an existing driver?

Dave

5

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 24, 2009, 04:54:47 pm »

Skeptic,
I agree with what you are saying.  I know that cable companies will "eventually" make the switch to all digital, but in the meantime they can do whatever they want to.  It seems like some companies will switch from analog to digital and back randomly at times.  The only way to be ensured that you will have a digital transmission all of the time is to have the HD programming.

This underscores the necessity of having a supported TV Tuner which will work with both analog and digital.  From what I have researched, the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116037 will do just that.  However, the analog portion does not seem to work with LinuxMCE 710. 

I would be grateful for any suggestions or ideas.  I am sure that I am not the only one with this dilemma.  This is the only issue keeping me from ordering my components and building a Hybrid/Core.

6

Users / Re: Tuner Card Support - Please Weigh-in

« on: June 17, 2009, 08:24:29 pm »

I would recommend out of the box support for the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116037).  This seems to be the new gold standard in TV Tuners with dual Digital tuners as well as dual Analog.

7

Users / Re: LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 12, 2009, 06:02:13 pm »

Andrew,
Thanks for your reply.  I am a cable TV subscriber of Time Warner.  The DTV transition seems to apply only to Over The Air (OTA) broadcast.  There are a variety of packages available through the cable company.  My current choice is analog, but it is through the cable company.  That is why I did not think that the HDHomerun would work properly with my configuration. Any ideas?

Dave

8

Users / LinuxMCE TV Tuner

« on: June 12, 2009, 05:10:04 am »

I am getting ready to build a Hybrid/Core.  I was wondering if I could get some recommendations as to which TV Tuner Card I should purchase.  I am leaning towards the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116037).  However, I see that the analog component of this device is not supported, and I do need analog for my build.  I would also like to be able to have the ability to record two programs at the same time.

I have searched the Hardware Wiki and it is difficult to find TV Tuner Cards which are commercially available and work well.

Any advice or direction would be much appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your help

9

Users / Re: New in the Wiki: Alx9r's Sample Setup

« on: May 13, 2009, 07:55:12 pm »

Alex,
Thanks for the response.  In regards to the case suggestion, it seems like there are three different types of cases.  One would be for the core which would look more like a regular computer tower case.  One for a hybrid which looks more like a component for a home audio system.  And one for the media directors/client.  I thought it would be informative to know which cases were documented to work well and offer flexibility with certain motherboards and system set ups.  Just a thought.  Perhaps this will be covered in other sections.  In my thinking, once I decide on a motherboard, I will be looking for a case to house everything.  I want to be sure to get a case which is flexible and will allow me to use all the features of LMCE to the fullest.

I was not certain whether bluetooth and the remote control receivers had to be compatible with the motherboard.  If not, then that can be covered in the other guides which you are going to have.

As for the suggestion about specific sections for requirement based upon the type of component being constructed.  It was my thought that even if the information was duplicated, the reader would not have to sift through a number of descriptions and considerations for equipment which they were not going to be building at that time.  I understand what you are saying about how it may be messy, but I just was offering some initial impressions.

In regards to the video decoding and TV's, I was under the impression that the screen resolution and size of my TV would determine what type of playback result I achieved from the processor.  Perhaps I was wrong in my understanding.  If so, it might be helpful to clarify this a bit.  On a side note, are there any processors which work with LMCE which produce flawless results for all of the eight samples?

Just some thoughts.
Dave

10

Users / Re: New in the Wiki: Alx9r's Sample Setup

« on: May 12, 2009, 11:16:40 pm »

Alex,
Thanks for your work in setting up the steps to consider in selecting a motherboard for LinuxMCE.  I can tell that you spent a lot of time compiling the information and thought that it was most helpful.  You did a nice job explaining terms which are familiar to veteran users, but not to those that are new to LinuxMCE, such as PXE and GPU.
Listed below are a few suggestions which may make it easier for a new user or someone doing research:
1.  Three different sections for motherboard selection based upon core, hybrid/core, and client.  This would make it even easier to focus on the specific needs of the system being built.
2.  Some more detail about the case for the motherboard.
3.  Information about things like Bluetooth, and remote control receiver.
4.  You have done a nice job detailing your personal hybrid.  You might want to make those references links to that page (such as under Video Decoding Requirements)
5.  Under video decoding, it would be nice to have some more options listed if possible.  Or, at least a link to a list of others.
6.  Also under video decoding, it would be helpful to have some explanations as to what the different playback results mean.  I want to make sure when I select the components for my hybrid that I have a processor capable not only of working with my current TV, but something that will work with TV's I may purchase in the future.
Well, that is the list of things I thought might enhance the page.  Please do not take this as critical, rather my first impression.
Feel free to post back your thoughts.  If I come up with some other items, I will include them as well.
Overall, I felt like a learned a huge amount from reading the page and it was very insightful.
Thanks!
Dave

11

Users / Re: New in the Wiki: Alx9r's Sample Setup

« on: May 07, 2009, 09:16:35 pm »

Alex,
That sounds great!  I would be more than happy to use your guide and provide feedback.  I am well versed in WindowsXP and am using the latest Ubuntu version of Linux on a laptop and can navigate around pretty well with that.  While I am no tech genius, I do know my way around a computer.

I saw that there were some complete systems except for the AMD processor and RAM recommended on the Wiki.  Those were manufactured by MSI and available at NewEgg.  However, they have been discontinued. 
Do you recommend a system like that, or building one from the bottom up?
I would like to begin working with LinuxMCE soon, so let me know when you get your guide completed.
Dave

12

Users / Re: New in the Wiki: Alx9r's Sample Setup

« on: May 06, 2009, 11:13:24 pm »

Thanks for posting your sample set up. 
I want to build a LinuxMCE hybrid core machine.  The problem is that many of the components you used are no longer available.  That is also the case with what I find on the Wiki.
How do I know which components to use?  Also, should I use 710, or wait until 810 is out?
Thanks for your help.