subscribe to our feed.Some like to buy things. They don’t like tinkering and they just want something that works. Others like to build things, tinker with them, and exert control over the creation. I fall in the latter group. I recently decided to build a pvr (you know, a tivo thingy). I consulted some sites on suggested hardware/software configurations and set about to build it. I grabbed a cheap (no cost to me) P III 750 mhz machine with 512 megs of ram, 10 gig hd, 3 pci slots, in small form factor. For those of you who don’t know what a small form is: look here for HP’s version. I also bought two Hauppage cards, the pvr-150 and the usb2. I threw in a Hawking USB 802.11g wireless and i was set on the hardware side. Oh, i almost forgot the Western Digital 120gb drive that i picked up for $40 after rebates! After reviewing different software packages, i decided to run with the Snapstream Beyond TV package.
…And now for my synopsis. I have yet to test the video running on the tv out on the internal video board, but i suspect it’s going to run similarly (or maybe i’m just being naive!). I tested the machine on a cable rebuild that didn’t incorporate a set-top box. This is a big plus for installation since i didn’t have to fool with an ir blaster. The ir blaster is used to submit commands from the pvr box to the set-top box. It’s a daisy chain command system and things tend to get lost in translation. The hauppage card installation was a snap (I have yet to test with both tuner cards in place). I had 3 pci slots, one filled with a pci 2d/3d radeon card. I simply snapped the card in, booted the computer, and installed the necessary driver.
Snapstream also installed easily. This software is a real marvel. For $70 you get a pvr software managment system that allows timeshifting, recording shows (while watching another one with dual-tuner setup, hence why i am buying two tuners), and free downloading of a program guide. Yes, that’s a free program guide. Unlike tivo which asks for a $14/month charge or a $300 one-time lifetime program guide fee. Can you say ouch? I would rather pour that money into hardware choices and control than a program guide subscription.
Once running, the snapstream system integrates everything very nicely. The wizard runs on the first use and is very easy to navigate. It asks you about your hardware configuration (which it auto-senses). It also asks for input on tv service based on area code. It drilled down from cable, to provider, to video kind (analog/digital), and the tier. This was a cut-above the other software programs i used. It auto-searches the channels for you, and (if you have an internet connection - i had the hawking usb) it goes and gets the channel program guide information. From there, it’s as simple as going to the guide, selecting a show, and then scheduling a recording. You can choose to watch the program, record this occurrence, or record all occurrences. In a word, the interface is slick. When browsing channels, information appears in the lower part of the screen. Timeshifting in a live show is simple. Want to see that play again? Just rewind or snap back a couple of seconds.
There are a few performance issues that i have encountered so far: live tv is a little grainy and can jerk a little. But i think that has to do more with the way i have it configured than the hardware/software setup.
If you go on the cheap side for components, you can build this pvr on an old machine for $200-$400 bucks. Don’t go cheap on the tv tuners. Get ones that do hardware encoding instead of software encoding. This will free your puny cpu to do its thing. Also, snapstream is developing an hd version of its software. And, their software allows you to view the recorded shows from any computer in the house and multiple tv’s (though the setup is a little harder on that end). You can even pause in one room and pick up in another. If you like control and like to tinker, i would go this route.
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