Hauppauge pvr250mce $95 shipped

[uwannawhat]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is it possible to run these MCE cards on any OS other than MCE which is impossible to own legally.

Yes the 250 Card will work in XP PRO.

You can find the drivers listed through out this thread.

It appears as though BTV's latest build will not work but the 1217 build willl.

I don't have Sage but I've heard that there are much fewer problems & that the latest release has greatly improved the user interface.

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is it possible to run these MCE cards on any OS other than MCE which is impossible to own legally.

Absolutely ! One of the tuners I am using is 250MCE and I am running plain vanilla XP Pro.

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: RossMAN
dr150 - Why are you buying the PVR-350? I think one of the PVR-250 bundles with Sage TV or Beyond TV is a far better value. It's just as powerful.

Well, b.c the 350 has support for infared blaster plus FM radio and remote. All features that I value.

Am I still making the right decision based on features or will another card do it for me?........

Unless you plan to use the hardware decoder on the 350 ... I would say you ARE making the WRONG decision to go with the 350.

The 250MCE costs about $60 less and gives you every feature that the 350 has except the remote support and hardware decoder.

For any serious use of the remote, I would advise going with the USB-UIRT (approx $45 give or take). The Hauppauge remote is too weak compared to any other remote I have used. So it is definitely worth paying so much extra for the remote alone.

And if you don't use the hardware decoder, it is pointless to spend more for it anyway. Also, there are very limited number of apps out there that will actually use the hardware decoder.

On the other hand, by using the 350, you are potentially limiting yourself from using multiple tuners in the same machine ... which, I believe, is much more useful than you initially realize. Just like you don't understand the true value of a PVR until you own one, in the same way you don't realize the true value of having a multi tuner PVR until you own one

How about software? Do I need any type of software like Sage , etc?........

I will let others speak to this, since I think I have made my opinion pretty clear by now

.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: RossMAN
dr150 - Why are you buying the PVR-350? I think one of the PVR-250 bundles with Sage TV or Beyond TV is a far better value. It's just as powerful.

Well, b.c the 350 has support for infared blaster plus FM radio and remote. All features that I value.

Am I still making the right decision based on features or will another card do it for me?........

Unless you plan to use the hardware decoder on the 350 ... I would say you ARE making the WRONG decision to go with the 350.

The 250MCE costs about $60 less and gives you every feature that the 350 has except the remote support and hardware decoder.

For any serious use of the remote, I would advise going with the USB-UIRT (approx $45 give or take). The Hauppauge remote is too weak compared to any other remote I have used. So it is definitely worth paying so much extra for the remote alone.

And if you don't use the hardware decoder, it is pointless to spend more for it anyway. Also, there are very limited number of apps out there that will actually use the hardware decoder.

On the other hand, by using the 350, you are potentially limiting yourself from using multiple tuners in the same machine ... which, I believe, is much more useful than you initially realize. Just like you don't understand the true value of a PVR until you own one, in the same way you don't realize the true value of having a multi tuner PVR until you own one

How about software? Do I need any type of software like Sage , etc?........

I will let others speak to this, since I think I have made my opinion pretty clear by now

.

Thanks for the advice.

It really boils down to having a IR Blaster to work with one of these cards. According to you, you recommended the 250 or 350 as the ONLY cards to support this function..........It's actually extremely important to have IR Blaster support, otherwise, I the card can't communicate with the digital receiver to switch to scrambled channels like HBO or Starz.

Please tell me if I'm missing something (is there a runaround to this delimma?) and that I could essentially watch HBO, etc with the 250 MCE (250 is out of contention since it has no FM radio, correct)?........

 

[uwannawhat]

psxjunky I know you mentioned the USB-UIRT for the 250MCE card but what do you think of the IRMan?

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is it possible to run these MCE cards on any OS other than MCE which is impossible to own legally.

Absolutely ! One of the tuners I am using is 250MCE and I am running plain vanilla XP Pro.

How about Win2K?

For this to work for me I'd need it to work on Win2K cause XP Pro is like $140 which, when combined with SageTV cost makes the whole prospect the same price as a ReplayTV with lifetite subscription. Any possibilities there? That or Linux and I'll slap it on a cheap build.

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: uwannawhat
psxjunky I know you mentioned the USB-UIRT for the 250MCE card but what do you think of the IRMan?

IRMan works great ... in fact THAT is what I am using personally ... not the USB-UIRT.

However, I feel USB-UIRT is a superior solution because --

1. It is BOTH an IR Blaster and a IR Receiver
2. It uses USB, so is guaranteed to work with any newer mobo. IRMan is serial only

None of these two is an issue for me since I don't have an external cable box (so no need for IR Blaster) and my mobo has a free serial port. The main reason I did not get the USB-UIRT is becuase it was not supported by Sage at the time I bought the IRMan and also it was about $15 more expensive than the IRMan.

However, if I were to get another IR Receiver/Blaster today, I will definitely get the USB-UIRT.

 

[uwannawhat]

Thank you very much for the reply & info/opinion on the IRMan receiver.

Greatly appreciated psxjunky

 

[psxjunky]

Thanks for the advice.

It really boils down to having a IR Blaster to work with one of these cards. According to you, you recommended the 250 or 350 as the ONLY cards to support this function..........It's actually extremely important to have IR Blaster support, otherwise, I the card can't communicate with the digital receiver to switch to scrambled channels like HBO or Starz.

Please tell me if I'm missing something (is there a runaround to this delimma?) and that I could essentially watch HBO, etc with the 250 MCE (250 is out of contention since it has no FM radio, correct)?........

Don't confuse between the IR BLASTER with the IR RECEIVER. NONE of the WinTV cards do ANYTHING to support IR BLASTER functionality. An IR Blaster is a separate box that sends the signal to your cable/satellite box from the HTPC. An IR Receiver receives the IR signals you send thru the remote control.

Once again, this has been discusses in great detail either in this thread or in the thread titled Hot ! SageTV 2.0 $58.95, SageTV + PVR250MCE Bundle $139.95 at PCAlchemy.com. Please read BOTH these threads in detail ... many of your questions have already been answered in one of these two threads (in some cases, both )

And yes, using an USB-UIRT with SageTV (probably BTV and MythTV also but I am not sure) will give you FULL ability to control your digital receiver.

USB-UIRT is BOTH a IR Blaster and a IR Receiver, whereas the 250 and 350 cards have ONLY IR Receiver support. If you go with the 250 or 350 with IR support, you STILL NEED AN EXTERNAL IR BLASTER like the USB-UIRT or Actisys IR 200L ... that's why I am recommending using a 250MCE ($99) or Roslyn ($80) with USB-UIRT ($45) as opposed to a 350 ($160) with a USB-UIRT ($45) or Actisys ($37).

Once again, please read this thread and the other one ENTIRELY since your question is most likely already answered there. After reading these two threads, if you still have any questions I (or anyone else here) will be more than happy to try to answer your questions.

.

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: HeroOfPellinor
Is it possible to run these MCE cards on any OS other than MCE which is impossible to own legally.

Absolutely ! One of the tuners I am using is 250MCE and I am running plain vanilla XP Pro.

How about Win2K?

For this to work for me I'd need it to work on Win2K cause XP Pro is like $140 which, when combined with SageTV cost makes the whole prospect the same price as a ReplayTV with lifetite subscription. Any possibilities there? That or Linux and I'll slap it on a cheap build.

Yes, the 250MCE should work with Win2000 also. Here is what Hauppauge says for the 250MCE systrem requirements --

System Requirements:
[*]Processor requirements: Pentium® IV processor 1.2GHz or faster for TV pause with full screen playback
[*]Windows®XP, Windows XP MCE 2004, Windows2000 or Windows Me
[*]Free PCI slot
[*]Sound card
[*]DVD or CD-RW writer (optional for burning DVD's or Video CD?s)
[*]VGA card (PCI or AGP) which supports video overlay (NVidia, S3, ATI, etc.)

You can get more drivers for this from SHSPVR

.

 

[dr150]

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: uwannawhat
psxjunky I know you mentioned the USB-UIRT for the 250MCE card but what do you think of the IRMan?

IRMan works great ... in fact THAT is what I am using personally ... not the USB-UIRT.

However, I feel USB-UIRT is a superior solution because --

1. It is BOTH an IR Blaster and a IR Receiver
2. It uses USB, so is guaranteed to work with any newer mobo. IRMan is serial only

None of these two is an issue for me since I don't have an external cable box (so no need for IR Blaster) and my mobo has a free serial port. The main reason I did not get the USB-UIRT is becuase it was not supported by Sage at the time I bought the IRMan and also it was about $15 more expensive than the IRMan.

However, if I were to get another IR Receiver/Blaster today, I will definitely get the USB-UIRT.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that the USB-UIRT will only work with the 250 and 350 and not the 250MCE, correct?........

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: dr150

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: uwannawhat
psxjunky I know you mentioned the USB-UIRT for the 250MCE card but what do you think of the IRMan?

IRMan works great ... in fact THAT is what I am using personally ... not the USB-UIRT.

However, I feel USB-UIRT is a superior solution because --

1. It is BOTH an IR Blaster and a IR Receiver
2. It uses USB, so is guaranteed to work with any newer mobo. IRMan is serial only

None of these two is an issue for me since I don't have an external cable box (so no need for IR Blaster) and my mobo has a free serial port. The main reason I did not get the USB-UIRT is becuase it was not supported by Sage at the time I bought the IRMan and also it was about $15 more expensive than the IRMan.

However, if I were to get another IR Receiver/Blaster today, I will definitely get the USB-UIRT.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but I assume that the USB-UIRT will only work with the 250 and 350 and not the 250MCE, correct?........

Nope, NOT correct.

The USB-UIRT has absolutely nothing to do with the 250/350/250MCE ! It connects directly to your PC USB port and is controlled by the PVR software that you are using. So YES, USB-UIRT will work with ANY TV card you use ... including the 250MCE or anything else for that matter.

Theoritically speaking the USB-UIRT would also work even if you don't have ANY TV card in your PC. The USB-UIRT is just a IR Receiver+Blaster for the PC

I think the part where you are getting confused is when we say "the 250 and 350 has IR support but the 250MCE doesn't". What is meant by this is that the 250 (retail) and 350 has built in IR Receiver support and come with its own IR Receiver module and a remote. 250MCE does not have the built in IR Receiver, so it needs a separate IR Receiver if you want to use a remote control.

Regarless of the built in IR Receiver in 250 (retail) and 350, you will need an IR Blaster anyway ... so going with the 250 or 350, you will end up with [ 250/350 + built-in IR Receiver + USB-UIRT ] and going with the 250MCE you will end up with [ 250MCE + USB-UIRT ]. Well, as I said, the USB-UIRT is both an IR Receiver + IR Blaster. Moreover, the IR Receiver portion of the USB-UIRT is much better than the IR Receiver that comes with the 250 or 350. So going with the first solution buys you nothing and you still end up paying more for something you will probably never use.

.

 

[dr150]

Many thanks PSXJunky for your informed opinion. Things are now very crystal.

 

[psxjunky]

Happy to help

 

[RossMAN]

psxjunky,

You sold me on the USB-UIRT can you recommend some brands/models and where to buy them from?

Thanks!

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
psxjunky,

You sold me on the USB-UIRT can you recommend some brands/models and where to buy them from?

Thanks!

Here are the only two models available. My friend has the first model and he is perfectly happy with it.

You can buy it directly from the manufacturer (same page as above), but the price is a little higher.

SageTV Store has this for a little less ($47.95) ... and this might be the cheapest. I will post here if I find a better price.


[EDIT]

SnapStream store has it a little cheaper. It is $49.99 there, but they are offering free shipping until May 31,04 (use coupon code "freeshipping" which is posted by SnapStream themselves here).

.

 

[robisc]

I own and have tried the ATI Remote Wonder, the X10 remote and the small Keyspan remote and never been satisfied with any of them also I have tried using them with Girder, I just bought the Snapstream Firefly remote and I love it, and ironically it works great with Sage 2 right out of the box, I have to say that it is the best piece of hardware I have bought i some time.

 

[FuzzyBee]

Here is another option for a remote with an IR blaster: link

It works with MythTV, too.

 

[psxjunky]

Originally posted by: fuzzy bee
Here is another option for a remote with an IR blaster: link

This is the Philips OEM remote originally designed for Windows XP MCE. I have this remote and it is one of the best designed remotes I have ever used (probably right after the MX500 and the TiVo remote).

I haven't used the IR Blaster capability of this remote though, so can't comment on that aspect. One nice advantage of this remove (over the USB-UIRT) is that the IR Receiver and the IR Blaster parts are separate ... so you can keep the IR Receiver much farter away from the Blaster if you wish. In case of USB-UIRT, the IR Blaster and IR Receiver are on two sides of the same box ... the IR Receiver facing you, and the Blaster facing towards the cable/satellite box.

However, I believe USB-UIRT is superior in terms of software support. Also, USB-UIRT is known to have good compatibility with many standard cable/satellite boxes ... I am not sure how good the compatibility of the Philips MCE remote is. That is NOT to say it is not compatible, it is just that I don't know how good the compatibility is.

Finally, one other advantage of the USB-UIRT is that it will work with virtually any remote; so if you already have a remote that you are using to control other appliances in your entertainment center, you can teach that remote to work with the USB-UIRT and continue to use the exact same remote to control your PVR app.

Either way, the MCE remote also a MUCH better choice than the Hauppauge remote

.

 

[HeroOfPellinor]

Originally posted by: psxjunky
Yes, the 250MCE should work with Win2000 also. Here is what Hauppauge says for the 250MCE systrem requirements --

System Requirements:
[*]Processor requirements: Pentium® IV processor 1.2GHz or faster for TV pause with full screen playback
[*]Windows®XP, Windows XP MCE 2004, Windows2000 or Windows Me
[*]Free PCI slot
[*]Sound card
[*]DVD or CD-RW writer (optional for burning DVD's or Video CD?s)
[*]VGA card (PCI or AGP) which supports video overlay (NVidia, S3, ATI, etc.)

You can get more drivers for this from SHSPVR

Thanks, bro.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: psxjunky

Originally posted by: fuzzy bee
Here is another option for a remote with an IR blaster: link

This is the Philips OEM remote originally designed for Windows XP MCE. I have this remote and it is one of the best designed remotes I have ever used (probably right after the MX500 and the TiVo remote).

I haven't used the IR Blaster capability of this remote though, so can't comment on that aspect. One nice advantage of this remove (over the USB-UIRT) is that the IR Receiver and the IR Blaster parts are separate ... so you can keep the IR Receiver much farter away from the Blaster if you wish. In case of USB-UIRT, the IR Blaster and IR Receiver are on two sides of the same box ... the IR Receiver facing you, and the Blaster facing towards the cable/satellite box.

However, I believe USB-UIRT is superior in terms of software support. Also, USB-UIRT is known to have good compatibility with many standard cable/satellite boxes ... I am not sure how good the compatibility of the Philips MCE remote is. That is NOT to say it is not compatible, it is just that I don't know how good the compatibility is.

Finally, one other advantage of the USB-UIRT is that it will work with virtually any remote; so if you already have a remote that you are using to control other appliances in your entertainment center, you can teach that remote to work with the USB-UIRT and continue to use the exact same remote to control your PVR app.

Either way, the MCE remote also a MUCH better choice than the Hauppauge remote

.

Speaking of remotes would you mind reading and posting your comments about remotes in this thread.

Thanks again :thumbsup:

 

[psxjunky]

Speaking of remotes would you mind reading and posting your comments about remotes in this thread.

Well, I am definitely not an expert on remotes, but I will try to share whatever I can on that thread. I generally stay away from the "off topic" forums though ... as much fun as they are to browse thru at times, they take too much time to fully participate in

 

[stingygrrl]

I was all set to buy sage 2 and then read about GB-PVR (freeware). Has anyone tried it? Is it easy to set up and stable?

 

[psxjunky]

Haven't tried GB-PVR personally, but I have heard one of the best features it has is a native client for the Hauppauge MediaMVP. This is something Sage had said they would implement, but so far there is no sign of it.

GB-PVR is also supposed to support a wide range of TV cards, including the Roslyn.

Why don't you try it out and write a small review for us

 

[stingygrrl]

nah, I'm getting sage