BeyondTV

Biotech · #1 12-28-2004, 11:01 PM

Just wondering if anyone has tried BeyondTV3.5, MythTV or SagaTV? Any preference or recommendation?

Samw · #2 12-29-2004, 02:42 AM

I bought SageTV.

I don't remember all the reasons why I preferred it over BeyondTV. The poor BeyondTV user guide was 1 reason. And I think the poor performance was another reason. Partly to blame is my slow 1.2Ghz VIA EPIA chip. But SageTV seemed to work better on my machine. I also got lucky and bought it on sale online for 20% off.

Biotech · #3 12-29-2004, 10:20 PM

Thanks Sam.
Did you use an IR Blaster? Any problem encounters with getting discrambled channel from the cable box.

DiscusZ · #4 12-30-2004, 03:57 AM

I use MythTV (I have it on 2 machines) and my file server has 500 gig allocated to recordings I love my mythtv (but then again I am a Linux Junky and have gotten away from Windows when possible

Jim

Samw · #5 12-31-2004, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Biotech

Thanks Sam.
Did you use an IR Blaster? Any problem encounters with getting discrambled channel from the cable box.

IR Blaster?? I don't know what that is so I guess I don't.

I don't use a cable box nor descrambler. I just have plain old basic analog cable. I can't afford fancy TV programming.

I did upgrade the remote control to a FireFly though. But I'm a newbie and haven't customized it to its full potential yet. I'm still trying to figure out if I want or need Girder.

DiscusZ · #6 12-31-2004, 05:09 AM

I have an IR Blaster but not using it yet..

SamW The IR Blaster allows you to connect a Satellte reciever to your PVR (video in ) and have the PVR send IR commands to change channels on the Satellite or Cable box..

I willl be using my IR Blaster once I get my Bell system soon

Jim

Delphinus · #7 12-31-2004, 05:12 AM

Just picked up a PVR so I'm joining the ranks. Back to geeking out on TV stuff.

I just have one rant to share: the UPS brokerage fee is $100. $100! Jeepers. I think that's a little steep. Man I hate UPS.

Canadian Man · #8 12-31-2004, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Delphinus

Just picked up a PVR so I'm joining the ranks. Back to geeking out on TV stuff.

I just have one rant to share: the UPS brokerage fee is $100. $100! Jeepers. I think that's a little steep. Man I hate UPS.

What are you using a PVR for Tony? Also how much was the unit for them to charge you $100 brokreage. I ask because my amp is comming tommorow from the US and I'm expecting a hefty brokerage bill

Tarolisol · #9 12-31-2004, 06:51 AM

Just a question but what are these mythtv beyondtv things?

Delphinus · #10 12-31-2004, 03:53 PM

It's software you run on a PC equipped with a video card capable of capturing TV images. Thus you can use your PC as a VCR. PVR="Personal Video recorder." MythTV, SageTV, BeyondTV, etc., is the software you use to this end. The really cool thing is that the software will check the internet for TV listings, so all you have do is say, "I want to record 'Lost' {or whatever your favourite TV show is}" and it will find it, and record it for you, regardless of what time or channel it's on. Thus you can watch it at your leisure without having to worry about when the networks pre-empt it for something else.

Plus, hardware has progressed to the point you can essentially record video at DVD quality.

I had actually planned on building one from scratch, but a deal came up that was too good to pass up. Basically half of what it would have cost me to build one, by sourcing out the parts locally.

It occurs to me now that part of the brokerage fee is probably GST. So I guess they haven't jacked up the brokerage fee necessarily, I just forgot what all's probably in there making up that total.