Qwijib0
02-17-05, 04:06 PM
I checked the 'byo media server thread' but it didn't seem to have the same focus that I need.
I'm in the process of trying to choose a software package for HTPC use, and can't seem to find one that does what I need, or else it's not documented well.
Let's start out with the hardware at my disposal:
(soon to have) Shuttle mini-system w/ p4 3.0+, DVD-ROM, ATi PCI-E card (TBD)
Tower w/p4 1.8, 512M, Ati 9700Pro, a bit of storage(100GB).
Dell cheapo w/ celeron 2.0, dvd-rom, gobs of storage(600GB).
Non-Computer items:
X10 firecracker dongle (and x10'd lights)
HD cable box w/firewire.
Current setup:
No GUI-- I browse for movies in windows explorer then alt+enter to fullscreen them-- using the 1.8 box as the player.
No PVR.
What I'd like:
Some sort of PVR/Media backend that I can tie multiple machines into, capable of firewire video capture, as well as analog through an NTSC/Cable tuner. Needs to be able to IR blast at least 2 cable boxes. Will also store movies.
At least one client (could be running on the backend, or not...) needs to be capable of WMV-HD and HDTV playback, as well as controlling x10 lights.
The other needs nothing but lo-res tv and movie playback.
What I've seen:
At first I thought Myth-- but the only windows gui I've seen for it sucks (proof of concept at best)--and since one client needs WMV playback-- I've got to run windows on one client. Can also do firewire it seems. Free!
Sage looked interesting, but apparently the media interface (playing movies and the like) is pretty bad--. Also, with 2 clients, and the backend-- it'd be over $100 (not a deal-breaker if it can do all I need though).
BeyondTV has no firewire capture, so unless it does everything else really well, it's out.
Meedio is out for the same reason as BTV.
In a dream world, I could take the myth backend, and use it as a module in a polished windows frontend, as well as have a linux client elsewhere.
Is there one solution that can do all I'd like, or something close to it?
I'm in the process of trying to choose a software package for HTPC use, and can't seem to find one that does what I need, or else it's not documented well.
Let's start out with the hardware at my disposal:
(soon to have) Shuttle mini-system w/ p4 3.0+, DVD-ROM, ATi PCI-E card (TBD)
Tower w/p4 1.8, 512M, Ati 9700Pro, a bit of storage(100GB).
Dell cheapo w/ celeron 2.0, dvd-rom, gobs of storage(600GB).
Non-Computer items:
X10 firecracker dongle (and x10'd lights)
HD cable box w/firewire.
Current setup:
No GUI-- I browse for movies in windows explorer then alt+enter to fullscreen them-- using the 1.8 box as the player.
No PVR.
What I'd like:
Some sort of PVR/Media backend that I can tie multiple machines into, capable of firewire video capture, as well as analog through an NTSC/Cable tuner. Needs to be able to IR blast at least 2 cable boxes. Will also store movies.
At least one client (could be running on the backend, or not...) needs to be capable of WMV-HD and HDTV playback, as well as controlling x10 lights.
The other needs nothing but lo-res tv and movie playback.
What I've seen:
At first I thought Myth-- but the only windows gui I've seen for it sucks (proof of concept at best)--and since one client needs WMV playback-- I've got to run windows on one client. Can also do firewire it seems. Free!
Sage looked interesting, but apparently the media interface (playing movies and the like) is pretty bad--. Also, with 2 clients, and the backend-- it'd be over $100 (not a deal-breaker if it can do all I need though).
BeyondTV has no firewire capture, so unless it does everything else really well, it's out.
Meedio is out for the same reason as BTV.
In a dream world, I could take the myth backend, and use it as a module in a polished windows frontend, as well as have a linux client elsewhere.
Is there one solution that can do all I'd like, or something close to it?