About a month ago I was able to purchase a new (although obsolete) Windows Media Center 2005 box. This has meant the end to my adventures in using free 3rd party PVR Software. I have decided to create this post to document the definitions I created to assist others. Media Center 2005 is a joy to use and I thoroughly recommend it. Doubtless Vista Media Center is also good as well. (Although getting the free Tv Guide working in Australia is eternal torment) If you’re interested in a freeware PVR, I tried many freeware PVR programs, and here my recommendations:
1. GB-PVR – http://www.gbpvr.com/
A great little program, but the configuration and skinning can be a pain to get working.
2. Media Portal – http://www.teammediaportal.org
Ok, but failed the “spouse” test on usability. It seems to have a great community however.
Both of these programs did not work “out of the box”. They required manual tinkering in order to recognise my Tuner Card, the Divico DVB-T 4. I bought this card on the understanding that it was the most compatible with “everything”. It’s an ok card, but I doubt it’s the best.
One problem seems to be that it takes quite a while to switch channels and stutter does happen at times, regardless of the PVR. It may be compatible, but it’s a lot of work to get going with these other cards. I think the main problem is that most people buy the USB version of this tuner, which is totally different to the dual channel.
My Definition for GB-PVR
Add these entries to the file “bda.ini”:
[Dvico Fusion DVB-T Special]
TUNING_TYPE=DVB-T
FILTER_TUNER=Bluebird, BDA Tuner1
FILTER_CAPTURE=Bluebird, WDM TsCapture1
PIN_TUNER_IN=Input0
PIN_TUNER_OUT=MPEG2 Transport
PIN_CAPTURE_IN=MPEG2 Transport
PIN_CAPTURE_OUT=MPEG2 Transport
[Dvico Fusion DVB-T Special 2]
TUNING_TYPE=DVB-T
FILTER_TUNER=Bluebird, BDA Tuner2
FILTER_CAPTURE=Bluebird, WDM TsCapture2
PIN_TUNER_IN=Input0
PIN_TUNER_OUT=MPEG2 Transport
PIN_CAPTURE_IN=MPEG2 Transport
PIN_CAPTURE_OUT=MPEG2 Transport
The normal detection process should now find both channels of your tuner card.
My Definition for Team Media Portal
Add the following definitions to CaptureCardDefinitions.xml:
<capturecard commercialname=”Dvico FusionHDTV DVB-T 4″ capturename=”Bluebird, WDM TsCapture1″ devid=”vid_0fe9&pid_db78″>
<capabilities tv=”true” radio=”false” mpeg2=”true” mce=”false” sw=”false” bda=”true”/>
<tv>
<interface cat=”capture” video=”2″ audio=”3″ mpeg2=”1″ sectionsandtables=”5″/>
<filters>
<filter cat=”networkprovider” name=”Microsoft DVBT Network Provider” checkdevice=”false”/>
<filter cat=”tunerdevice” name=”Bluebird, BDA Tuner1″ checkdevice=”false”/>
<filter cat=”capture” name=”Bluebird, WDM TsCapture1″ checkdevice=”false”/>
</filters>
<connections>
<connection sourcefilter=”networkprovider” sourcepin=”0″ sinkfilter=”tunerdevice” sinkpin=”0″/>
<connection sourcefilter=”tunerdevice” sourcepin=”0″ sinkfilter=”capture” sinkpin=”0″/>
</connections>
</tv>
</capturecard>
<capturecard commercialname=”Dvico FusionHDTV DVB-T 4 2″ capturename=”Bluebird, WDM TsCapture2″ devid=”vid_0fe9&pid_db78″>
<capabilities tv=”true” radio=”false” mpeg2=”true” mce=”false” sw=”false” bda=”true”/>
<tv>
<interface cat=”capture” video=”2″ audio=”3″ mpeg2=”1″ sectionsandtables=”5″/>
<filters>
<filter cat=”networkprovider” name=”Microsoft DVBT Network Provider” checkdevice=”false”/>
<filter cat=”tunerdevice” name=”Bluebird, BDA Tuner2″ checkdevice=”false”/>
<filter cat=”capture” name=”Bluebird, WDM TsCapture2″ checkdevice=”false”/>
</filters>
<connections>
<connection sourcefilter=”networkprovider” sourcepin=”0″ sinkfilter=”tunerdevice” sinkpin=”0″/>
<connection sourcefilter=”tunerdevice” sourcepin=”0″ sinkfilter=”capture” sinkpin=”0″/>
</connections>
</tv>
</capturecard>
