Media Centre PC +NTL

[squiggs1982]

Hi everybody! (/Dr Nick voice off)

I've had 1mb bb from NTL for ages now, but I have just applied to get telephone and cable installed next Wednesday. So, two questions:

1: Will they take my cable modem away and make me use the new STB, cos I really don't want that. Everything is set up nice with the CM as it stands.

2: I have a Windows Media Centre PC. I know I can set up the remote to work with the STB, but will the media centre pc be able to control it? For example, will I be able to schedule a recording on two different channels? I know that it can't on it's own, but there must be some gadget that will do it?

TIA
Adrian

1. No - they should not touch the CM.

2. You want the PC to change the channel on the STB ? If so need an IR transmitter and the software to drive it - possibly something like RedRat3 (which I use, with DigiGuide of course )

I don't know what capabilities a MCPC has for this sort of thing.

[SMHarman]

Make sure they check the signal strength to the SACM before they leave. Additional equipment on the line sucks the signal down and can lead to your CM not working properly.

[Neil]

Originally Posted by squiggs1982

I have a Windows Media Centre PC. I know I can set up the remote to work with the STB, but will the media centre pc be able to control it? For example, will I be able to schedule a recording on two different channels? I know that it can't on it's own, but there must be some gadget that will do it?

TIA
Adrian

Hmmm-There's not much listed at the official MSXPMC site either: http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windowsx...r/default.mspx

Regarding dual recording, I can't see how you would be able to do this, as there is only one feed physically coming in. (There are 2 on Sky + for example, which I believe how it works there, but I don't know about Tivo! )

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by squiggs1982

<snip>
2: I have a Windows Media Centre PC. I know I can set up the remote to work with the STB, but will the media centre pc be able to control it? For example, will I be able to schedule a recording on two different channels? I know that it can't on it's own, but there must be some gadget that will do it?

TIA
Adrian

The MCPC will only have one video input card so recording two things will not be possible. Don't know if you can add a second (the sky+ box has two) but then you need a second source, a second NTL box or terestrial transmission if you just want to be able to record analogue or freeview. It can probably record and play at the same time as the input and output are separate.

[squiggs1982]

Hi guys! Thanks for all the replies! It's not that I want to record two different programmes at the same time, rather that I might want to gou out and record neighbours at half five on BBC1 and the simpsons on Sky One at seven, if you see what I mean?


So, get them to check the signal strength to the SACM before they go? What should I say? Nothing worse than some idiot who thinks he knows what he's talking about! They def wont take it away either? Really don't want it to go!!

[Salu]

Plenty on the subject here......

http://www.xpmce.com/forum/ftopic83728.html

also www.greenbutton.com is a load of help...

[Neil]

Also http://www.xpmce.com/forum/ftopic84558.html

I'm going to move this thread into Computers & Technology Forum, as it's about XPMCE, rather than NTL.

[SMHarman]

Originally Posted by squiggs1982

Hi guys! Thanks for all the replies! It's not that I want to record two different programmes at the same time, rather that I might want to gou out and record neighbours at half five on BBC1 and the simpsons on Sky One at seven, if you see what I mean?

Once you get the MCE PC talking to the STB that will be easy

Originally Posted by squiggs1982

So, get them to check the signal strength to the SACM before they go? What should I say? Nothing worse than some idiot who thinks he knows what he's talking about! They def wont take it away either? Really don't want it to go!!

Just ask "can you check the signal strength to the CM to ensure it is still adequate since the cable has now been split, make sure you don't need to come back to fix that at a later date, oh and do you want some more tea and jaffa cakes before you leave?" (and that causes an automatic 3db drop in signal).

[squiggs1982]

Originally Posted by SMHarman

Just ask "can you check the signal strength to the CM to ensure it is still adequate since the cable has now been split, make sure you don't need to come back to fix that at a later date, oh and do you want some more tea and jaffa cakes before you leave?" (and that causes an automatic 3db drop in signal).

LOL! Thanks guys! Much appreciated. Going to check out the links given to see exactly how to get the MCE talking to the STB and I'll let you know how it goes. Green Reps all round!

[sherer]

Originally Posted by squiggs1982

LOL! Thanks guys! Much appreciated. Going to check out the links given to see exactly how to get the MCE talking to the STB and I'll let you know how it goes. Green Reps all round!

you will probably need to get one of the redeye things from redremote.co.uk do control the STB depending on what model you have.

I have a MCE machine and the quality of picture you get on the machine isn't very good as we don't have HDTV in the UK and you have to convert the picture to a different format to feed into the TV. if you just use the RF cable then you prob won't notice a difference.

You can set this up to record one program at 5 and then another at 8 on a different channel as long as the emitter from MCE works with the STB or you get the red eye thing to convert it then the channel will change.. You can also program in Eastenders \ Corrie etc as series so they always get recorded that way you can't forget

Like the music \ video side of MCE but have am waiting for the extenders before I use the PVR bit again.

[city-boy]

My Media Center picture is excellent, what 'sherer' is refering to is the fact that the NTL box outputs RGB in the scart, however almost all capture cards will only accept composite video or Y/C connectors.

I got round this by pruchasing a Scart RGB to Y/C converter black box. About 60 quid I think, but well worth it. The picture quality is brilliant. You can't tell any difference at all. I've also got a redeye IR converter, it's abit of a pain to setup, give yourself 30 mins or so, but it does work eventually. I've heard that you don't need the redeye on all NTL boxes.

[Salu]

Have you heard that Microsoft announced last week that they will make media center kits available to OEMs soon? So you can build your own?

http://www.neowin.net/comments.php?i...&category=main

[Mike Harrison]

see www.redremote.co.uk for info on setting up MCE with NTL