Which DVB-S software

Chrisoldinho · 10 Jan 2013 at 10:37

Hi all,

Building a HTPC, which will be the center piece of the living room, replacing BT Vision.

I intend to power it probably using Windows 8, possibly Mint 13.

Looking for options really on what the best DVB-S software is that is HD capable, and can schedule recordings (Tivo like would be great, but not a requirement). I know about MCE, and XBMC but unsure if they are the best.

As this is a whole new arena to me I am struggling to find definitively what most people are using, and whether it's better to use the bundled software which comes with the hardware (like MyTheatre).

Thanks,
Chris.

Confused · 10 Jan 2013 at 10:47

Windows Media Center is probably the most "integrated" with Live TV stuff, but the general music/video library support isn't as good as something like XBMC.

The latest version of XBMC (v12) has LiveTV stuff integrated into it, which works in a "client" mode to a backend "server" software, of which a number of different options are available, and Live TV support will be improved upon now that it is in the main XBMC release (previously it was always a 3rd-party add-on)

For general XBMC info, I've started a thread here - as I start looking into LiveTV stuff I'll be adding my findings to the thread

Vimes · 10 Jan 2013 at 11:24

@OP - you probably realise it but....

You note DVB-S and then HD, well all the HD channels have now moved over to DVB-S2 and so you need the hardware to support that.

I have found that if you throw TV into the mix for a HTPC then it can be a bit of a bag of spanners to get it to work. I have tried many combinations of software, with a overall poor success rate, and yet the best for me has been Windows 8 with the WMC addon for a reasonably well populated EPG and then the media browser addon for TV shows and movies etc.

If I do not wish to bother about TV then XBMC for its ease and functionality.

Chrisoldinho · 10 Jan 2013 at 12:01

Vimes said:
@OP - you probably realise it but....

You note DVB-S and then HD, well all the HD channels have now moved over to DVB-S2 and so you need the hardware to support that.

I have found that if you throw TV into the mix for a HTPC then it can be a bit of a bag of spanners to get it to work. I have tried many combinations of software, with a overall poor success rate, and yet the best for me has been Windows 8 with the WMC addon for a reasonably well populated EPG and then the media browser addon for TV shows and movies etc.

If I do not wish to bother about TV then XBMC for its ease and functionality.

Thanks Vimes, I wasn't actually aware of this no. I haven't actually purchased the hardware as yet so will definately take this into consideration.

I think I will be going to WMC route, then install something like the GuideTool http://1geek1tool.com/guidetool to re-order the EPG as required.

As I have never done this before, does the EPG auto update via WMC, are recordings encrypted and what format are recordings made in (native? h264.ac3 mkv?)

Chris.

Vimes · 10 Jan 2013 at 12:52

I have only just "found" the combo noted and now I have somewhat successfully got a DVB-S2 TV viewing experience and thus I have not yet played around with it too much. The EPG seems to populate itself but also consider the media browser addon that I noted. I have not needed to record as yet.

To be frank with you I thoroughly enjoy my XBMC experience and if I had not bought a DVB-S2 card I would instead buy a stand alone refurbished PVR - Humax DVB T2 and use a custom firmware etc. Note that the Humax is a T2 device and not a satellite type.

The TV aspect of a HTPC has been one of the least satisfying parts of the overall experience.

Mujja · 10 Jan 2013 at 13:06

Chrisoldinho said:
I think I will be going to WMC route, then install something like the GuideTool http://1geek1tool.com/guidetool to re-order the EPG as required

Once you map the channels to Freesat/Sky channels in Guide tool you will have the full EPG for 2 weeks and and it will auto-update.

The only problem with using a DVD-S card is the channels move around a lot and WMC doesn't pick up the new frequencies. You then have to check the frequencies on Kingofsat and do a manual scan. It's annoying and I'm about to ditch my DVB-S2 card as soon as I can get hold of a DVD-T2 card.

I haven't tried XBMC. Tried Mediaportal last month and didn't like it.

WMC with Plex is the easiest and cleanest combo and very kid/wife friendly.

I've been using WMC for about 2 years now with a mix of DVB-T and DVB-S tuners and love it. Moved over to Windows 8 after my Mediaportal test a couple of weeks ago and it's better than ever.

LizardKing · 10 Jan 2013 at 14:14

If you liked XBMC then the only comparison is Mediaportal, you do have to invest time in learning and setting it up (there is a pretty good guide on the avforums that covers most of it) but its a complete products that has endless features!

And there are ways of making full use of that S2 card.

One thing that does get my goat on any htpc software is the epg, i'm yet to encounter one that has ever functioned flawlessly!

lurkio · 11 Jan 2013 at 13:45

I use media portal for my HTPC (used it for several years, everything works great)
I have a dual DVB-S2 and an dual DVB-T2 card in it , works great

For EPG , I use xmlradio times (free, and 2 weeks of listings) and for channels it does not have
I configure media portal to use the transmitted EPG info