2012-06-22, 21:22
Folks -
I've been using XBMC and the PVR variant for what seems like forever now, but only ever on Linux - various Ubuntus (Ubuntii?), XBMC-Live, OpenELEC, etc.
Now, I'm getting a bit narked with firmware support for my tuners, constantly rebuilding drivers for every kernel update, and so on. I'd go all-out for OE if I could, but that has tuner challenges as well.
So... I'm thinking of trying Redmond's finest (well, Win7, anyway) on my backend-cum-secondary HTPC. I know my way around Windows pretty well, but I thought I'd save myself some hassle with a couple of targeted questions...
One given: I'm sticking with XBMC as my front end. I like XBMC. My kids know how to use it. My wife does. The babysitter does. My parents look at it in awe. So that's a given: XBMC stays as the front end.
Q: Is the MediaPortal plugin support in XBMC still better than 4theRecord? I know it was, but are there significant differences?
Q: At the risk of a religious war breaking out, which backend is better for day-to-day scheduled and ad-hoc recordings, either from XBMC or from a web interface (I'm easy, it's in a different room anyway so web is fine)?
Q: I know that MP originally forked from XBMC... but it doesn't have a separate backend, correct? So do you have to start the whole MP application (front-end and all) or does the PVR/EPG/etc. stack run as Windows services? Can you have XBMC as a front end and an MP backend on the same box, without the MediaPlayer front end getting in the way?
Q: I'm completely happy with VDPAU for H.264 acceleration in Linux.... but how would a lowly 1.6Ghz Atom/ION rig (Revo 3600) cope with HD H.264, though?
I have my concerns about Windows on such a low-powered system, but once I'd had a coffee while booting, it'd probably be fine...
Thoughts appreciated.
I've been using XBMC and the PVR variant for what seems like forever now, but only ever on Linux - various Ubuntus (Ubuntii?), XBMC-Live, OpenELEC, etc.
Now, I'm getting a bit narked with firmware support for my tuners, constantly rebuilding drivers for every kernel update, and so on. I'd go all-out for OE if I could, but that has tuner challenges as well.
So... I'm thinking of trying Redmond's finest (well, Win7, anyway) on my backend-cum-secondary HTPC. I know my way around Windows pretty well, but I thought I'd save myself some hassle with a couple of targeted questions...
One given: I'm sticking with XBMC as my front end. I like XBMC. My kids know how to use it. My wife does. The babysitter does. My parents look at it in awe. So that's a given: XBMC stays as the front end.
Q: Is the MediaPortal plugin support in XBMC still better than 4theRecord? I know it was, but are there significant differences?
Q: At the risk of a religious war breaking out, which backend is better for day-to-day scheduled and ad-hoc recordings, either from XBMC or from a web interface (I'm easy, it's in a different room anyway so web is fine)?
Q: I know that MP originally forked from XBMC... but it doesn't have a separate backend, correct? So do you have to start the whole MP application (front-end and all) or does the PVR/EPG/etc. stack run as Windows services? Can you have XBMC as a front end and an MP backend on the same box, without the MediaPlayer front end getting in the way?
Q: I'm completely happy with VDPAU for H.264 acceleration in Linux.... but how would a lowly 1.6Ghz Atom/ION rig (Revo 3600) cope with HD H.264, though?
I have my concerns about Windows on such a low-powered system, but once I'd had a coffee while booting, it'd probably be fine...
Thoughts appreciated.