Best GBPvr remote solution.

[A_Brass]

Ok, I'm about to invest in some sort of remote GBPvr solution. I'm not sure which way to go. I'm looking for input from anyone who wants to offer it.

Background:
My GBPvr is located in the living room. Its directly connected to my home Theater system and TV. I want to be able to access my recorded TV, movies, and MP3/WMV's in other area's around the house. Whats the best solutions?

I have considered three options. Obviously the MVP is top on the list.
However it has some drawbacks. It only natively supports MPEG streams so "server" must transcode on XVID on the fly. I have a lower spec'ed machine for my PVR so I'm not sure I can get it to work.

The next option is a second PC configured as a "GBPvr" Client. I have already tired this with pretty good success. Live TV, recording playback, music it all works very well. However if for some reason the Client cant connect to the recordings directory, but can connect to the recording service, your recordings database is history.

So the third option is a wireless video/audio trasmitter. Attached to my PVR or a switchbox before connects to my Home Theater. I could send the video and audio signal to another TV anywhere in the house. Advantage: moveable, no wires, same remote can be used (lots of these devices also act as IR to RF back to IR extenders). Disadvantage: uses the same interface as primary GBPvr so no one can watch a different recording. X10 and Radio shack have this type of product. Radio Shack

So any thoughts? Has anyone used the X10 products that bundle a PC remote? I"m sure with a Girder Plugin they can be made to work but I have not tried this.

[captain slug]

I am a HUGE fan of the X10 MP3/DVD Anywhere RF remote. I purchased one on ebay with the MR26A RF serial receiver a while ago and it's what I've been using with my HTPC for some time now. For software it works well with girder and WinLIRC, but I currently use it with PCremotecontrol.
You can code-set infrared output for 4 different devices plus the PC RF receiver and while I haven't tested the range much I have been able to send commands successfully at around 40 feet, all without any line-of-sight.
You can usually find the remote and receiver together on eBay for around $24.

[betlit]

i did use audio/video transmitter/receiver (also with integrated IR receiver 'n stuff).
it worked well until i switched from LAN to WLAN.

these transmitter operate at the same frequency as WLAN (2.4 ghz). my transmitter/receiver have a switch where i can choose between 4 channels. channel 2 to 4, the reception was perfect, but any WLAN device lost connection immediatly.

when i selected channel 1, WLAN worked but the reception of audio/video was very bad (and every couple of minutes (or so) a short disturbance occured).

when i shut down every WLAN device in my home the reception was perfect.

so.. if you (or your neighbour) are using WLAN this audio/video transmitters will most certainly not be satisfying.

daniel

[blader_se]

I have a (20m) S-Video cable from the computer to the TV. I've also extended the IR-reciever cable into the TV-room. Never got any wireless solutions to work...

In another room, I've hooked up a Kiss DP-1500 to my LAN, and streaming with the FreeKiss streamer to my projector. This is a crude directory browsing and I miss the GBPVR frontend, but it works with DivX as well.

[wtg]

A_Brass,

It sounds to me like the MVP is the best option for you. If you find that your machine doesn't have the horsepower to decode XVid satisfactorily, you aren't going to get good results from a wireless video/audio transmitter either because you'll still be relying on the server for decoding.

If the PC isn't up to the decoding task then you'll either need to upgrade the PC or setup a gbpvr client anyway.

Try watching an XVid movie both with and without a recording going in the background and make your mind up based on the results.

Good luck,
Tim

[A_Brass]

Thanks for the replies. These posts made me aware of some factors I did not consider. Such as the wireless transmitter interfearing with my w-lan.

My current PVR has enough horse power to decode Xvid just fine. But I dont think it can handle the transcode from Xvid to a Mpeg 1 or 2 stream (whatever the MVP needs) this why I thought the wireless transmitter/receiver would be a good solution. Of course I didn't think about all my wireless products are running at 2.4ghz

I also thought about the suggested wired solution. A 20 foot cable and remote extender might do it. I actually ran my old config that way with a RF keyboard and mouse. It works well until the batteries in the keyboard start to go. But if I just use it as a PVR I shouldn't need the keyboard. (Or if I really want a keyboard I could go IR.

I think what I'm going go try is a GBpvr "client/server" arrangement. I think I can find a used laptop w/tv out, cheap (also small foot print). I'll set it up with usb remote (I already have one) and give it a shot. I'v had good luck geting it working on my other desktops.

I just hope my "server" can keep up.

Thanks for your input.

[rumbert]

I have a (20m) S-Video cable from the computer to the TV. I've also extended the IR-reciever cable into the TV-room. Never got any wireless solutions to work...

In another room, I've hooked up a Kiss DP-1500 to my LAN, and streaming with the FreeKiss streamer to my projector. This is a crude directory browsing and I miss the GBPVR frontend, but it works with DivX as well.

Just one question about the KISS DP-1500 player.
is it possible to play the mpeg2 files recorded by the PVR hardware?

Thanks

[blader_se]

Just one question about the KISS DP-1500 player.
is it possible to play the mpeg2 files recorded by the PVR hardware?

Sure, it seems to be able to recieve anything it can play as streams from the computer as well.

I'm now thinking about if it is possible to convert GB-PVRs html-interface into .kml, (why do every manufacturer need to create their own protocol? , so that I could set recordings from the player as well.

[jediha]

quote:"I'm now thinking about if it is possible to convert GB-PVRs html-interface into .kml, (why do every manufacturer need to create their own protocol? , so that I could set recordings from the player as well."

Now that would be awesome: converting the html to KML. Is there any chance you can make that work? I haven't done anything much with kml other than "Hello world". PLease keep us updated if you make any progress.

I've also a KISS 1500, NSLU server and free kiss server.
Greetz,
hans

[RaulDuke]

I am a HUGE fan of the X10 MP3/DVD Anywhere RF remote. I purchased one on ebay with the MR26A RF serial receiver a while ago and it's what I've been using with my HTPC for some time now. For software it works well with girder and WinLIRC, but I currently use it with PCremotecontrol.
You can code-set infrared output for 4 different devices plus the PC RF receiver and while I haven't tested the range much I have been able to send commands successfully at around 40 feet, all without any line-of-sight.
You can usually find the remote and receiver together on eBay for around $24.

Say, I have been trying to get this remote to work for a couple of days now without success, but I seem to have it working with PCremotecontrol, thanks! By the way, is there anyway I could get your command file for PCremotecontrol?