beyond tv 3

[mastrduke]

was wondering how poeple that have used beyond tv like it...does it hog resorces? is it easy to use? is it easy to burn the tv to dvds?

and is this a good deal on everything i need ?
http://store.snapstream.com/sssolution.html

 

[Kilrsat]

I've found it to be a wonderful environment. The BeyondMedia+BeyondTV combo is what I use for my full time HTPC. The bundle you're looking at comes with an excellent remote, quality tv tuner, and all the software you'd want.

Go here for a coupon code for free shipping: http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24061

Thread on burning tv shows to DVD: http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23228

Where to get all the plugins for BeyondMedia: http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=42

Personally, I use these:
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22124
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20789
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=23915
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=22899
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=24077
http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/showthread.php?t=20781

As you can see, there's lots it can do, and if you have any questions I can do my best to answer.

 

[nitsuj3580]

wow after reading all those links, I want to get this!

 

[mastrduke]

wow thanks for all the info and links...so its a good combo?


will i be able to use my computer while it is downloading the tv shows or encoding...what ever u call it?

so to burning to dvd doesnt come with software...its just a 3rd party program or what?

the plugins look great...will i be able to play music i have in itunes thru the beyond media software...looks like it cool...and controllable with the remote!

 

[Kilrsat]

The bundle you picked includes everything you will need to get it working with an external satellite receiver. If you don't have one of those, then you may want to consider other bundles. Something like this: http://store.snapstream.com/bmedia-btv-ff.html paired with the Hauppage PVR-150 that's currently on sale at Circuit City this week for $60, would get you the same combination as the bundle you were looking at (just without the extra satellite cables) for a little less money.


The UI interface hook for burning a show to DVD is included, but you need to supply your own burning program. The plugin basically acts as an interface between the BTV user interface and your burning program. You get a nice pretty option right in the program that says burn to DVD, in this case using Nero to do the burning silently in the background.

The card included in the bundle is a hardware-encoding card, meaning the card itself deals with taking a tv signal and producing an mpeg2 file. Typical processor usage during this is 3-10%. So yes, you can be doing whatever else you want while its recording.

The firefly remote also comes pre-programmed to support a large range of other applications. You can check out the list here: http://www.snapstream.com/Products/firefly/firefly_supportapps.asp

 

[mastrduke]

wow thanks...i dont think i have dvd burning software...well roxio easy media creator 7...not sure if that will work or not....how much room will a 30 min show take up on my comp?

is there a way to skip the commercials when ur watching?

can i have a link to the correct tv tuner i would need...i did a search and cheapest i found was 90 dollars and im not sure it was the right one

thanks again for all the info...really very helpful

 

[Kilrsat]

The space taken up by a 30minute show depends on the recording quality you pick, which is completely configurable.

For very high quality, assume anywhere from 1.5GB - 3GB per hour.

I use a 2.5GB/hr setting that has held up quite well, even through the complete NFL season.

For a glance at the default qualities: http://www.snapstream.com/Support/Support_PVSFAQ.asp#s3sb1a3

Yes, you can skip commercials. BeyondTV uses what it calls "SmartSkip" to analyze recordings and flag commercials. When you're watching a recording, its a single button press to skip the entire block that it flagged as a commercial.

While you're watching time-shifted tv, you also have a 30-second skip button (30 is the default, can set it to be whatever you want) to skip over commercials as you go.

The Hauppage PVR-150 @ circuit city - http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Hauppaug...sm/oid/99358/rpem/ccd/productDetail.do

Currently $60 after $40 in mail in rebates.

Alternatively, if you're only recording basic cable/antenna: the Hauppage pvr-150mce @ amazon is a good deal - http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/de...462518?v=glance&s=electronics&n=507846

Currently $63.64 with free shipping.

The PVR-150 is the card included with the first bundle you looked at, but it will come with a few extra excessories that you won't use. The PVR-150mce is a variation on the card (uses the same hardware, just different connectors and no accessories).

My HTPC uses a PVR-250mce and a PVR-150MCE, I've found them both to be quite excellent.

 

[mastrduke]

do i need the accesories to make it work?

is there a way i can tell it to copy all the episodes of seinfeld...and then it will copy any episode of sienfeld it sees until i have them all...and it wont get duplicates?

 

[Kilrsat]

The accessories are another remote and an ir-blaster (used for controlling a cable/satellite box). The Firefly is a much better remote, and you already said you aren't using an external box.

It has options to record "all new episodes", "all episodes", and a specific episode. Unfortunately Seinfeld won't have new episodes, but for shows that are still being produced it is intelligent enough not to record the same one twice for the "all new episode" option.

 

[Gurck]

how u guys like beyond tv 3?

tsk tsk, u speld guyz rong