DIY PVR?

[Tbolt]

Hi, I am looking to upgrade my DVD recorder but the reviews on the latest kit all have niggles over limitations in their abilities.

Samsung - difficult to find recordings.

Panasonic - only iplayer for catch up.

Has anyone built their own?

I am looking at using a Raspberry Pie or using a more powerful micro pc with MythTv / XBMC.

Any advice on where to start?

Cheers
Gerry

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

As a pvr the pie isn't going to cut it as it doesn't have a tuner to my knowledge? It will work as an Internet streaming device well though although a roku or similar would be better.

I used to run a mini ITX board that was in a case vary similar to a full sized DVD player. It had a DVD slot for well DVD disks (could now be bluray now) and a twin tuner card for recording live TV. It did the job pretty well and was fanless so quiet.

I only stopped using it because I now have a tivo that does all the pvr stuff and use a ps3 for streaming like Netflix and disk playing. The ps3 also plays all my movie collection via DLNA.

 

[Bendy toy]

There are some Humax freesat boxes on for sale section


Sent from a widget that can't spell.

 

[Dansin]

You can connect a USB tuner to a pi and record/view via raspbmc or openelec etc. but isn't an ideal solution.

Building a small media centre running something like ubuntu/xbmc with an integral tuner and hdd would be a better idea. I've not looked for ages but I'm sure it's the sort of thing you can buy off the shelf now.

 

[Tbolt]

Thanks for all the replies and advice I shall look into building a Linux based set up.

I have looked at the Humax boxes and I agree they are a bargain but I want to reduce the number of boxes under the TV.

Cheers
Gerry

 

[Nevvyn]

Alternatively, look at the QNAP series of NAS, they have a very active coding team and are releasing updates frequently. Most recent of which was, plug a USB TV Tuner in it, and it'll record your TV. Plus, you get all the benefits of having network storage, DNLA straight to your TV, Bittorrent client.. very useful piece of kit.

 

[Dansin]

Its also worth looking at the nowtv box which can be very easily hacked to hook up to a plex media server. You can get the nowtv box from sky for a tenner.

 

[Deleted account 190920001]

Its also worth looking at the nowtv box which can be very easily hacked to hook up to a plex media server. You can get the nowtv box from sky for a tenner.

The nowtv box is fantastic for the money but it isn't a pvr.

 

[Dansin]

The nowtv box is fantastic for the money but it isn't a pvr.

The nowtv box isn't but can be done through plex.

 

[Tbolt]

I have apple tv3. Will plex enable this to work as a PVR?