Free PVR software for XP?

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06-07-2005, 02:59 PM
Rave

Free PVR software for XP?

As I've previously posted, I recently got a Compro DVB-T200 DVB tuner card. I can't get the supplied software to work, it BSODs the computer after conflicting (seemingly) with my NForce2 sound drivers (which I tried updating to no avail). I'm currently using Media Portal which works, but is buggy; changing channels, resising the screen etc. takes ages (like 10s or more) and often results in the picture going dark or the audio going out of sync etc. The scheduled recording function seems to be completely inaccurate about when it starts and stops, and yesterday when I recorded an episode of Friends from E4 as a test it produced a file which skips every few seconds. Finally if you leave it recording it stops when the file size reaches 7.99GB- is there some other reason for this?

So, basically I'm wondering if there's a program out there which will work better. I don't need anything fancy, just a program which will let me watch TV and record it either using the EPG or just by hitting a button. I've already downloaded GB-PVR but it doesn't support the card:(. Right now buying software (or MCE 2005 etc.) isn't an option since the card itself has eaten my monthly toy budget, but if there's a product with a free trial that's reasonably priced I'll give it a go with a view to registering it next month.

Cheers:).
06-07-2005, 03:05 PM
Dougal

http://sourceforge.net/projects/wmetv/

Found that on sourceforge, only alpha, but you may aswell try it...
06-07-2005, 03:14 PM
directhex

i was gonna give SageTV a try when i get a chance, that's payware with a 15 day free trial
06-07-2005, 03:37 PM
Rave

Cheers Dougal, but it doesn't seem to have been updated for nearly a year....

I might give SageTV recorder a go if I can't find a freeware proggy hexxeh, only $20 which is reasonable.

Anyone else?
06-07-2005, 06:02 PM
Spud1

I always used Showshifter, Got a free version of showshifter 2 on a PCFormat DvD, the licence doesnt allow me to upload it or anything tho ;/

Showshifter 3 is only £30 tho, there's a 15 day trial too. http://www.showshifter.com

Really is the best PVR software I have ever used ;)
11-07-2005, 11:44 AM
Rave

Right. I installed SageTV recorder, then found that it doesn't run; a little box comes up saying that it's a 15 day free trial, and then when you hit OK it does nothing at all. Showshifter 3 caused the same BSOD a few seconds after running- and 'cos I'd agreed in the setup to have it run on startup I had to go in to Safe Mode and uninstall it:rolleyes:. I could try Showshifter 2 I suppose.

TBH I think I'm overdue for a windows reinstall, perhaps that'll solve my problems.
27-01-2006, 07:26 PM
patyan

I Think the good one for free?? But Try media portal -- Check Your card compatibility
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/ I test this recently but need some extra modding which will improve your recording - Web-EPG more or less better that the MCE epg I can get it to download all the programmes
28-01-2006, 12:49 AM
ajbrun

Quote:

Originally Posted by patyan

I Think the good one for free?? But Try media portal -- Check Your card compatibility
http://www.team-mediaportal.com/ I test this recently but need some extra modding which will improve your recording - Web-EPG more or less better that the MCE epg I can get it to download all the programmes

If you read the first post, he said he did try meadia portal, but it was slow at channel changing.

I got the same problem, but I think that might be due to my card using a software encoder, which is no good at all. Bad choice of card really.

I'm going to try showshifter anyway, and if that doesn't work, I'll try that beta one on sourceforge :).
28-01-2006, 01:31 AM
Flibb

Haven't looked in to PVR for a while, but when I got my AIW I looked at GBPVR Anybody tried it?
28-01-2006, 09:07 AM
GDVS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Flibb

Haven't looked in to PVR for a while, but when I got my AIW I looked at GBPVR Anybody tried it?

I looked in on it a few weeks ago, still a horrible looking interface but it does work.
07-02-2006, 09:48 PM
blinky

webscheduler is good for recording.
08-02-2006, 05:01 AM
aphex

I've tried many PVRs and all of them are flawed in some way or other! Showshifter seemed the best though but the interface is rather ugly and it doesn't work with windowblinds :/
08-02-2006, 12:11 PM
Lee H

Quote:

Originally Posted by aphex

I've tried many PVRs and all of them are flawed in some way or other! Showshifter seemed the best though but the interface is rather ugly and it doesn't work with windowblinds :/

I had issues finding software that was stable with the Nova-T PCI cards as well.

In the end I bit the bullet and got MCE2005 - Saved a lot of hassle and messing about :)
08-02-2006, 01:00 PM
directhex

mythtv works fine with nova-t's - i'm looking to replace one of mine with a technotrend t-1500 though (you can plug in a CAM, i.e. get top-up tv)
10-02-2006, 02:43 AM
Silent Shark

Have you also tried the latest version of Compro DTV off their website?

It's gone through some major upgrades of late.

I have a T300 and know all about the issues on earlier versions (although I never got BSODs).
The latest version is fine for me. Try it.
11-02-2006, 08:09 PM
8bit

I had a look at a bunch of different free and trial PVR apps, the one I liked best was Media Portal. However I've just upgraded to XP x64 and it no longer works with my card as the drivers present it to the OS differently.

Media Portal does seem to be the most flexible and best supported of the free ones from what I've seen, I've shelved my "PC as a PVR as well as games etc." project for now though. MP definitely worth a look tho, it will probably support your card and the forums are full of very helpful people.