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[Samson]

Television/DVR  Features List - UPDATED FOR MC 18.0.193

Admins, please make any corrections and additions. Others feel free to post and I will update changes.

General TV Links
TV Playback Options
Video Playback Options
Television
EPG
Theatre View

Live TV
   • A list of Hidden TV Stations
   • A list of Favourite TV stations
   • Grouping channels by keywords eg "Sports", "David's", "Doco's"
   • Sort Channel list by name or number 
   • Time Shift and Instant Replay of Live TV
   • A Theatre View button for Live TV access (not through EPG) - Live TV button in Theatre View
   • A Remote Control button for Live TV access - Live TV button on Remote
   • IR Blaster support for remote power on/off TV  Remote Control Instructions

EPG
   • Customizable EPG list style
   • Sort by genre, time categories ( afternoon, evening etc)
   • View Favourite channels
   • View Series listings
   • View "To be Recorded"
   • Search EPG
   • Automatic Over The Air (OTA) support, but not for all countries
   • XMLTV Guides support XMLTV
   • Mc2xml support - if available in your Country mc2xml
   

Recorded TV
   •  A List of "To be Recorded" TV shows - in standard and theatre view.
   • Marks "To be recorded" on EPG
   • TV shows grouped by Name, Genre, recently recorded
   • TV shows grouped by Series, Seasons, Episodes - TV Series,Seasons,Episodes, More Advanced Methods
   • Manages Series and Seasons for DVD box sets DVD series & Seasons, Tips on Handling TV series on DVD
   • TV metadata retrieved with episode info , if season and episode number known, or from guide data.TVDB
   • Current time of day shown on EPG in theatre view
   • Books recordings direct from the EPG
   • Books subscription (series) recordings from EPG
   • Books recordings by time , but only for subscription recordings
   • Customizable recording start/stop (buffer) times
   • Web based interface for operating/programming - Don’t know
   • Hi Res recording
      
Playback Recordings
   • Ad skipping -  with jumping forwards with remote FF or in user defined intervals.
      ○ Auto detect ads and remove whole ad-break - Possibly with third party app but not tried. See more here: Commercial Skip, Commercial Skipping
   
Video Playback
   • Control playback with remote control
   • Remote Control to jump forwards or backwards in user defined intervals - , Tools > Options > Video > Advanced > Jump Behaviour
   • Manages Direct Show Filters Automatically with "Red October" Red October
   • ROHQ MadVR support -MadVR Guide, 3 Different Modes
   • Hardware accelerate capable
   • VideoClock Smoothing
   • Auto display change FPS capable
   • A/V synching
   • Aspect Ratio correction

Cover Art
Cover Art for TV 
   •  Series 
   •  Season
   •  Episode

Networking
   • Plays to multiple HTPC or DLNA networked devices (limited by network performance and disk throughput)
   • Watching Live TV on a client PC  Live TV on Client

Digital Audio Out
   • Bitstreaming capable to AV Receivers
      ○ SPDIF
      ○ HDMI
      ○ Custom > Dolby Digital (AC3), Dolby Digital Plus (E-AC3), Dolby TrueHD, DTS, DTS-HD, DSD, DSD over PCM (DoP)
   
      
 TV / Radio tuners support
   •  Analogue TV Tuner:
      ○ WDM devices support - some may work better than others.

   • Digital TV Tuners:
      ○ ATSC
      ○ Clear QAM
      ○ DVB-T
      ○ DVB-T2, DVB-S/S2, DVB-C/C2 (no encrypted channels yet)
      
   • Supports STB Ceton CableCard Ceton CableCard
      
   • Supports FM radio for capable TV tuners
   
   • Multiple Tuners -  maximum number is only limited by your computer hardware (the number of available internal slots, the number of of USB ports, and the amount of memory and CPU speed).  If you want to simultaneously record many shows, you need a more powerful computer. reference <http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=68917.0>
   
   
   
   
   

   
   

[astromo]

Wow Samson. Excellent idea and a fantastic effort to put this together.

Gives me some homework to make sure I've got all the features that would suit me set up on my rig. Thank you for this.

It would make sense to have a sticky on the TV & TV Cards board linking to this post.

[Samson]

Thanks Astromo

[JimH]

Thanks again for taking time to do this.

[astromo]

Here's another 3rd party application in development that could be of use and has some relevance here:
MCAutoQueue: Automatically Process Files In MC With External Applications
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=76147.0

I've just got to work out how I can get some use out of it. Glynor says this about its function:

This is a separate standalone application that can be used to fully automate things like Video Conversions, File Replacements, Post-Processing, Ad Skip Processing, and much more.

The shortcoming for me in the application's thread is the lack of worked examples in a format that my head can get around. Probably a case of getting my hands dirty.

[Samson]

Here's another 3rd party application in development that could be of use and has some relevance here:
MCAutoQueue: Automatically Process Files In MC With External Applications
http://yabb.jriver.com/interact/index.php?topic=76147.0

I've just got to work out how I can get some use out of it.

not sure either 

[audioriver]

Not strictly "Television" but directly connected to TV Cards/Tuners support: add FM Radio support...

[astromo]

Not strictly "Television" but directly connected to TV Cards/Tuners support: add FM Radio support...

News to me. Interesting. Would you be able to point out a wiki entry or forum post where this functionality is explained in more detail? If one doesn't exist, then it would be great if you could start a new thread with the relevant details. More info please.

I've got a USB TV Tuner / FM Radio that I could use to test out this capability.. he, he   

[audioriver]

News to me. Interesting. Would you be able to point out a wiki entry or forum post where this functionality is explained in more detail? If one doesn't exist, then it would be great if you could start a new thread with the relevant details. More info please.

Not sure where to find such technical info. Best bet would be to contact directly a TV card manufacturer like Hauppauge. Even nowadays, it seems most TV cards sold here in Europe, include the analogue FM radio tuner.

[Samson]

Thanks audiodriver, please let me know if I added it correctly.

This is exactly what I was hoping for, people sharing and learning knew features  

[audioriver]

You are welcome. You should probably move it to the last category, and rename the category to "TV/Radio tuners support", since this has nothing to do with networking.

[Samson]

Done,thanks !

[Samson]

Further updates made

[ichkriegediekriese]

Hi

I am planning to build a "new" HTPC/PVR by myself in the next months. I have been using MC since v12 for music and I would like to use it as my PVR.

I currently use a linux based vdr distribution called "Reelbox AVG II" which has some really good features I dont want to miss, some of them I haven't found in this list.
Therefore I would like to post them, maybe they already have been added, maybe as a feature request.

Those are:
- permanent timeshift option (always on) buffer at least 2-3hrs
- record from TS-buffer. i.e. I watch a show but I have to leave the house for a longer period of time. I then go the EPG and select the show I am currently watching for recording - the linux-vdr then retrospectively copies all available data from the TS-buffer for that specific show to a new recording.
- series recording / search timers: by keywords, limited to a certain channel or range of channels. option to avoid repetitions.
- options to start all recordings x minutes ahead, and stop x minutes past of EPG time (to compensate for different start times)
- possibility to make own channel lists / i.e. "favorites list" configurable to come up via one button directly

And the last Question:
Can MC be controlles onlyi via remote/theater view when HW setup complete or does one need a mouse/keyboard for daily usage i.e. timers etc.... !?

[Samson]

- permanent timeshift option (always on) buffer at least 2-3hrs

Tools>Options>TV >Time shifting (max 4 hrs)

- record from TS-buffer. i.e. I watch a show but I have to leave the house for a longer period of time. I then go the EPG and select the show I am currently watching for recording - the linux-vdr then retrospectively copies all available data from the TS-buffer for that specific show to a new recording.

Not sure haven't tried it.I used to be able to do this with my old cable STB.Will try with MC.

- series recording / search timers: by keywords, limited to a certain channel or range of channels. option to avoid repetitions.

yes. search by name w or w/o exact match,one or more channels,all showings or various periodicities or exact time specified or at approx time,no reruns options,no previously recorded shows option. It also tracks series even if the time slot changes and remembers recordings after season ends awaiting next season.

- options to start all recordings x minutes ahead, and stop x minutes past of EPG time (to compensate for different start times)

yes both user defined

- possibility to make own channel lists / i.e. "favorites list" configurable to come up via one button directly

yes,but havent tried programming remote for direct access to favs but prob can.I have "guide" button and favs arrow across using remote

Can MC be controlles onlyi via remote/theater view when HW setup complete or does one need a mouse/keyboard for daily usage i.e. timers etc.... !?

MCE remote is optimised to work in Theatre view.customized functions can be added using MC commands eg I have a "live TV" function to go straight to TV without navigating any menus

[ichkriegediekriese]

Hi Samson

Thank you very much for the detailed answer.

The "record from TS Buffer" is real killer feature which I actually don't want to miss (mediaportal, XBMC seems to struggle with it from what I have read).
However all other features seem working so I think i will give it a try during the next months.

PS: One last question - can a series timer be progrmmed via remote only!?

[Samson]

Pressing "record" on the remote starts recording the show you are watching.You can press "stop" and it will stop playing but it still continues recording the rest of the show in the background.When you later select that show (hours or days later) for playback it commences playback from the point you originally hit "record" BUT you can rewind all the way back to the beginning of the show ,to the extent it existed in the buffer.Very neat. (there is a setting that either keeps the buffer when you press stop or discards it so not sure how this may effect this ts buffer record function.Hopefully,recording would overide the buffer discard setting if selected, and keep the buffer)

Yes you can record a series straight from the remote, 1) select a show on the EPG and then option to subscribe or 2) there is a separate alphabetical listing of all series you can select from (rather than scanning through the epg to find it).

Both these things are capable from theatre view with remote control.Having said that,there are more options in the standard view/keyboard-mouse.....still, all the basics are already there in theatre view and using a remote control. JRiver has promised to enhance Theatre view functionality throughout MC19

[ichkriegediekriese]

Pressing "record" on the remote starts recording the show you are watching.You can press "stop" and it will stop playing but it still continues recording the rest of the show in the background.When you later select that show (hours or days later) for playback it commences playback from the point you originally hit "record" BUT you can rewind all the way back to the beginning of the show ,to the extent it existed in the buffer.Very neat. (there is a setting that either keeps the buffer when you press stop or discards it so not sure how this may effect this ts buffer record function.Hopefully,recording would overide the buffer discard setting if selected, and keep the buffer)

Yes you can record a series straight from the remote, 1) select a show on the EPG and then option to subscribe or 2) there is a separate alphabetical listing of all series you can select from (rather than scanning through the epg to find it).

Both these things are capable from theatre view with remote control.Having said that,there are more options in the standard view/keyboard-mouse.....still, all the basics are already there in theatre view and using a remote control. JRiver has promised to enhance Theatre view functionality throughout MC19

Ok then MC has a "sort of" record from TS buffer but it doesnt seem to be that good than the one I have right now - my PVR copies the content from the TS Buffer to the record folder until the end of the buffer and at the same time I press "record" is starts recording live tv to the same record folder - on technicals I am not sure but I think it the merges the "from buffer" file with the "live recording file" to one final recording file which can be copied deleted or whatsoever - anyone from JRiver to comment on this?

But in General MC seems to be up to the task for my purpose.

[Samson]

my PVR copies the content from the TS Buffer to the record folder until the end of the buffer and at the same time I press "record" is starts recording live tv to the same record folder -

I think we are talking similar things?

1) you start watching show
2) half way into show or whatever you have to leave, so you press record (and then stop to stop current playback continuing, turn off tv,leave the house, get on a plane.......).
3) you come back days,weeks,months later and the entire show sits in the recorded tv folder ready to view.
4) you click play and it starts playback from exactly where you left off ie the moment u clicked record button.... BUT it also combines with the previous timeshifted material in the buffer so you can rewind and watch from the start of the show if u wish, its all there as the ONE recording in completeness.

[ichkriegediekriese]

Yeah! We are talking about the same thing :-) - perfect.

My "box" just "trims" the previously timeshifted material in the buffer to the start of the show I want to record when I select to record it via EPG - it discards all the rest "not needed" time shift buffer data " in front of the show" - kinda saves HDD space.

[Samson]

I presume/hope MC does the same "trimming" but can't confirm right now.