Appreciate a good samaritan

[localarif]

Right guys, this is the score. I'm thick, unbelievably thick. In fact, I dont know why I'm doing this but I thought I'd try.
Vista Ultimate x64 built by my mate.
Been using the old eur0 HD box for some time now, and sure its good and all, but upon hearing there was a prospect of running the old v1rg1n m3dia into my media center, i couldnt really say no.
Ive taken 2 weeks off work to try and get this to work.
Basically, i've read the forums to try and get a feel for things but im struggling, so what im asking for, is just a pointer in the direction, to tell me
a) what things i need. (i have cable, cable input into the media center
b) what software i need (is there a recommednation - i really want to use the media center experience rather than doing it externally - just looks swisher, but if thats not possible, whats the best UI?, and what are the best soft? keys to use? should i use yank$e or vplug or what. As you can see i have no clue.
c) what do i install.
d) im sure this has been asked a thousand times, but if i could just be pointed to location for a guide or something i'd be well chuffed.
Thanks for taking the time to read this, and if you do post, i'd be very happy.

[Oxyg3n]

It depends on how you want it to work..

Personally I have a WMC setup with Media Centre Extenders (Like the XBox360)

Using 4x FloppyDTV's with Zeta Cam's

This may work out to be slightly out of your price range though, since there is a few little bits n bobs you need to get that you just wont use.

But explain to us how you would like your setup, and we will be able to advise you from that (a good budget youd like to spend is a good area to begin with aswell)

[localarif]

Thanks fella. This is where I think I'm going to come unstuck, and highlight my lack of knowledge. You see I thought having the card with the cable input would be sufficient, and the only other things I'd need would be software and keys.
Is that not the case? If not I guess, it would be good to know how much your solution costs, and if it works well? My main aim is to have a solution the replaces and if not betters my eur0 v0x hd experience.

As far as budget is concerned, I think I'm willing to spend if the experience i get in return is swish.

Appreciate all your help!

Cheers

[MortUK]

Welcome to the forum..

I started just like you about 6 months ago.. No idea what to do.. I have to say that everything you need to know is on this forum.. Have a bit of a search around.. I'll try and get you started a bit.. There are other ways do do it but this is the way i choose and it works for me..

If anyone want's to correct me on anything feel free, i'm no expert.

This is a list of Everything i needed..



1, I'm using Windows 7 Media Centre.. But Vista Media centre with the TV pack will work just as well.

2, I have 2x FireDTV's to recieve the channels (They are the priciest option but i believe the setup is the easiest) - £140 each (Digital everywhere's site)

3, I have 2x Zeta Blue Cams running the Joker 79 firmware, to decode the encrypted channels. (You can use other cams as long as they have the joker 79 or 80) - £50 each (eBay)

4, I have 2x Funcard 5's with loaded with keys found in the download section of this site. - £5 each (eBay)

5, i have 1x Analogue tuner card which is a pinnacle PCTV 3010iX. This allows me to "Pretend" i have a set top box so that Media Centre will download the whole TV guide. - £12 eBay

6, An official Media centre remote control, IR receiver and emmiters (You need them to go with the analogue card) - £25 (eBay)

7, Infinity USB card programmer. (To program the Funcards) - £30-40 (eBay)


Total cost for a Twin tuner system = £462

The keys "AutoRoll" when the codes change.. The only bug i have is that about once a month i lose the encrypted channels and have to unplug then reinsert the cams.. No biggie..

The fireDTV's mimic DVB-T cards in you HTPC so media centre picks them up. It takes a bit of trial and error to get everything working but it's well worth it.

The FireDTV's fit into your Pc and attach to the firewire ports.. The Cam's slot into them to decode the channels, the Funcards get loaded with the keys and insert into the Cams.

The most difficult thing to get hold of is a cam with the Joker 79 Firmware.. If you are going to buy stuff i'd start there.. They sometimes come up on eBay which is where i got mine. Everything else is available off the shelf. There is a software option for decoding the encrypted channels but i know nothing about that method except that you use vPlug and some other software. With the method i use you need no other software than Media Centre and the FireDTV drivers.

It's not cheep for the initial outlay,, But worth it in the long run.

Hope this helps..

Mort..

[MortUK]

Just to expand on my last post, and to answer your question on how well it works..

With the exception of the bug where I have to pull the cam out and replace it once a month the experience is excellent. A bit of a pain to set up initially with getting the TV Guide working properly (Takes me 30mins to an hour on first setup). The channels take around the same time to change as a DVB-T card and the TV quality is good.

If you want see for yourself before investing the money them maybe buy a cheep DVB-T card and run it with Media Centre.. The experience is exactly the same just without as many channels. The Pinnacle card that I mentioned in my previous post would do at £12 on eBay and at least you've got it if you do decide to go for the whole thing..

The cable cards pick up all of the HD channels too, I think we are up to 5 HD channels at the moment.

Mort..

[Oxyg3n]

Thanks Mort for picking up the post,

But Yes, my setup is essentially the same just with more FDTV's, From what I've seen across the entire forum, this is the preferred setup for 99% of people, even if people dont start at this level, they build to it, and is generally (atleast in my oppinion) the way people want there setup.

[htpcman]

Hi localarif,

As the guys say depends on what kind of setup you're aiming for. For me there are probably two main approaches (which result from your choice of decryption) - the card route or the software route.

Personally, I went for the software decryption route as i didn't fancy mucking about with cards (which looked more expensive but may be considered by some more reliable.)
I can tell you about how I setup my system, but know nothing about programming cards, etc There are plenty of guys on here who'll be able to help you if that the direction you'd like to go for.

So for the software route:
a) what things i need. (i have cable, cable input into the media center
Sound like you have everything you need hardware wise. Key thing is a dvb-c tuner.
I've got a bog standard technotrend tt1501-c.
b) what software i need (is there a recommednation - i really want to use the media center experience rather than doing it externally - just looks swisher, but if thats not possible, whats the best UI?, and what are the best soft? keys to use? should i use yank$e or vplug or what. As you can see i have no clue.
I use vPlug with DVBDream. You'll need to acquire a key file for vplug to work with (just google).
You can then 'pipe the signal' from dvbdream into Media Center using DVBLink. This effectively makes Media Center recognise dvbdream as another tuner device
c) what do i install.
Dvbdream
vPlug
Dvblink
d) im sure this has been asked a thousand times, but if i could just be pointed to location for a guide or something i'd be well chuffed.
Very brief guide:
1. Get the free channels working in DVBDream
Install dvbdream, do a channel search using a transponder file setup for your area. This will probably take a bit of time. I also found using ProgDVB useful at this point as it allows you to do a "blind search" which dvbdream does not, you can then use the information from progdvb to fill in any missing frequencies in DVBDream.
2. Once you have a full channel list in dvbdream its time to get vPlug installed. As mentioned you'll need to find a key file - just google
3. Once you have vplug working it's time to install dvblink, this thankfully has become a lot easier than previous versions. Plenty of advice on this over at the dvblink site _http://www.dvblogic.com

Appreciate this is a bit short and sweet but hopefully enough to get you started, enjoy your two weeks off.... Also beware, this is a very addictive process! I started mine in April and I'm still tweaking - move to windows7, new motheboard, quieter power supply, less power hungry processor, etc. etc. so you may need to allow more time!

EDIT - just spotted my signature specs needs updating! (ignore those

[MortUK]

Just a slight correction to my post.... I'm actually running 2x Icecrypt Blue Cams.. Not Zeta Blue's..

My mistake....

[localarif]

wowsers.

Thanks guys! Gonna hope the weather is rubbish and give this a go. Thank you so much again for taking the time to note all this down.

Muchos Appreciatos.

[dancake]

For a first timer, the softcam route should be fine for you for now. I run 2 DVB-T and one DVB-C (a tt1501) This gives 3 Tuners in Win 7 Media Centre (using DVB link/ DVBViewer )

TBH all my Recodings are Terrestrial so the lack of a second DVB-C tuner isnt a prob. Secondly, Channel change can be a bit slow, but I am not a flicker! I watch a show for its entirity and on to the next so there isnt an issue there.

This set up is ultra- reliable for me and cost under 50 quid all in. howvever, be aware

Appreciate this is a bit short and sweet but hopefully enough to get you started, enjoy your two weeks off.... Also beware, this is a very addictive process! I started mine in April and I'm still tweaking - move to windows7, new motheboard, quieter power supply, less power hungry processor, etc. etc. so you may need to allow more time!

thats a fine point well made