INTERACT FORUM
Windows => Television => Topic started by: unfrostedpoptart on January 06, 2019, 04:10:17 pm
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Hi all!
I'm looking at replacing my TiVo/CableCard (Cox) setup with MC. I've been using the software for years for music but haven't done anything with it for video. I searched the forum and wiki but all the info I found was horribly obsolete. Mostly references to Windows Media Center (which was discontinued years ago) and Ceton (which is basically dead since they relied on WMC). What about support for Silicon Dust HDHomeRun? Windows 10? Touch-screen control and/or remotes? Something my family could operate without an engineering degree (which, luckily, I have...)?
I'm mostly a Mac guy but know Linux and Windows well and would consider a Windows HTPC if it could do what I want. So, is there any up-to-date guide for this?
Thanks!
David
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Have you looked under "T" for TV in the Wiki? https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Category:Frequently_Asked_Questions
Specifically, TV Setup which was updated in 2018? https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/TV_Setup
There are a huge number of threads about HDHomeRun tuners.
Believe it or not, there are still a bunch of people using WMC, or only just now converting over to JRiver MC. Lots make comparisons, which is the only reason it gets mentioned. Well, other than those people who try to run WMC and MC at the same time on the same PC, and wonder what is happening with tuner availability...
But you are right. The Wiki and threads on the forum can be a bit out of date. Ask questions, or use the custom Google search on https://www.jriver.com/support.html It gives you the best search capability. Better than the forum's built-in search.
There is a whole forum section on remotes. https://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php/board,37.0.html Of course some of those won't control TV functions. I still use a trusty old Harmony remote myself.
The only issue you should note is that MC doesn't support TV channels that use DRM/encryption. If you are planning to keep a Cable service, and they encrypt channels, then MC isn't the correct solution. But then there aren't many (any?) non-proprietary PC based solutions for encrypted cable channels these days are there?
So maybe best to describe your viewing sources, providers, access methods (OTA, Satellite, Cable, streaming services) and location (USA, Canada, and Europe environments and services are a lot different to mine here in Australia) to get some feedback on any issues you may have, or confirmation that it should all just work.
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I use an HDHomeRun Prime (actually 2 of them), and they work fine, but you will need to read up on how to set them up (basically, enable Media Network). I'm assuming you are in the states, but not actually sure. The learning curve can be a bit steep (although not horrible), but once you get it figured out, it is pretty good. RoderickGI is partially correct, if your cable company uses 'Copy Once' or 'Copy Never' on it's cable channels JRiver won't work, but technically, a cable card does decrypt an encrypted cable channel. What JRiver doesn't handle (at all) is DRM on your cable channels.
It is worth paying a small fee (I pay $25 per year) to get good EPG data, but to try it out, you can use the free built in EPG data.
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I also use an HDhomerun and it works very well. BTW MC for Mac does not support TV.
Ross