Windows Media Center as PVR Back End for XBMC

[3rob3]

MB3 works with ServerWMC right now, but so far only in the web client. Updates need to be released for all the other clients.

[milli260876]

Pretty soon this will be surpassed by mediabrowser once all the clients are functioning with the serverWMC plugin...
stream to roku's,ipads,wp,android,windows rt etc etc..
oh and I forgot play to DNLA!

I would be tempted by this IF there were a version I can install on x86 hardware without the need for Windows. I don't think there is, is there?

Yep
There's a Linux/apple build thru mono.
Don't ask me about it tho! I have no clue!!!!

[milli260876]

http://mediabrowser3.com/community/inde ... -x-server/

[milli260876]

Are you saying that MB3 runs with the same server software that XBMC runs with? (ServerWMC 1129)

Looks like MB3 is waiting on a plug-in to enable ServerWMC. MB3 has some nice features. I might give it a try after you get the bugs ironed out. I'll check back in 6 months.

The plugin works already on the server and is accessible via the web client. I only use it for scheduling recordings atm. I think the roku live tv front end is very close...

[sbaeder]

Are you saying that MB3 runs with the same server software that XBMC runs with? (ServerWMC 1129)

Looks like MB3 is waiting on a plug-in to enable ServerWMC. MB3 has some nice features. I might give it a try after you get the bugs ironed out. I'll check back in 6 months.

Actually, the plugin is "the same" (under the covers), but need to interface to the appropriate top level system.

And to the comment above about Windows...by it's very nature ServerWMC needs Windows media center to do the actual EPG, etc. See their other comments (here on TGB and elsewhere) for what they are working on for other back-ends that don't use windows.

[asm495]

http://mediabrowser3.com/community/inde ... -x-server/

I was thinking something more along the lines of OpenElec. I don't have the time to faff around with that level of complexity (unfortunately).

[milli260876]

http://mediabrowser3.com/community/inde ... -x-server/

I was thinking something more along the lines of OpenElec. I don't have the time to faff around with that level of complexity (unfortunately).

i think they asked openelec and they weren't too fussed. I think the Linux build should be easy once feature complete. Might be worth looking again in a few months?

[mrphil]

I think it would work great for a kitchen tv, or somewhere else it is only casually used. I tried to use one in my bedroom (in place of a 360 slim extender) but found it to be frustratingly laggy. Never used an echo so not sure how it compares to that.

Cons for me with XBMC are:
Channel load at startup takes 20 seconds or so (every time).
Guide is really slow
Guide starts at lowest channel every time. My HD channels are at >100 so I have to scroll a lot, which as I said above is pretty slow
Difficult to map the MCE RC6 remote so all the buttons do what you are accustomed to.

It's been a few months since I messed with it so it's quite possible things have improved.

Yes, I should make clear that my Raspberry pi runs on a USB flash drive which speeds up xbmc a lot, the sd card interface on the pi is really poor for read/write speed. I'm also using the Milhousevh test builds of openelec which contain a lot if recent speed fixes, and the pi is over clocked to the "fast" level. If you just download openelec stable and put on SD card it'll be pretty slow.

No issues with mapping buttons on remote to match wmc, and if you map the guide button it does open on current channel when watching live tv. This might have been an older bug.

[Crash2009]

I just installed Frodo 12.3, ServerWMC 1129, and PVR.wmc-windows 0.1.93. Does use a bit of bandwidth though doesn't it.

Got the bandwidth problem figured out. Upgraded the Realtek drivers on the laptop, and set wired connection to have priority over Wifi.

The boiler room's Dell T3400 is running great with the latest Dell Chipset, Audio, and Broadcom drivers. The hobby rooms Dell T7500 displays the channels with almost 3D precision.

All 3 running the same channel Detroit Red Wings Hockey are using around 10kb/s which is a great improvement over 500 to 2000 kb/s.

Still getting various degrees of "Combing" on all 3.

Is there a setting to adjust inside XBMC to reduce or eliminate the combing?

[epayson85]

I noticed the combing too. You need to go to the video settings while playing a live channel and I believe turn on deinterlacing... I think that was the setting. I don't have xbmc on my test machine right now. What sucks is that setting is no where in the setting page under video. Its only a setting that can be checked while playing a video. It will remember for each station but has to be done for each station. I will say though once you do this the video looks just as good as WMC.

[Crash2009]

I noticed the combing too. You need to go to the video settings while playing a live channel and I believe turn on de-interlacing...

Thanks, got it. Bottom right of the screen there is an icon that looks like an old-style movie reel. De-interlacing options are available now. The following is copied from.... http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=187548

"If you notice strange lines when watching TV that is showing action scenes, you may wish to change the de-interlace mode. Access the video settings (icon in the bottom right of the screen), change de-interlace video to "Auto." Change de-interlace method to “Bob". Change Zoom amount to ensure that video fills the entire screen. Then set as default for all videos."

Looks much better on all 3 now.

[epayson85]

Nice never saw the "make default for all videos". I knew it was somewhere but I haven't used xbmc in a long time.

[mrphil]

A new version of the ServerWMC app for XBMC has been released fixing the weird skip issues on in progress recordings and live TV. I've not yet had a chance to test but the comments sound positive. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=191126

Also for anyone who wants to use a Raspberry Pi as an extender, someone on the XBMC forum has posted that its possible to turn off the feature in the EPG which displays old guide data, helping to speed the Pi up a bit. http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=189838

[Crash2009]

My daughter wants to install XBMC on her 2009 or 2010 Mac Mini. Anyone had any success with something like that? I don't think she will be using a HTPC as a back end. She would likely be using the mini with XBMC plug-ins for internet TV and Movies.

[DrPeterOBoogie]

There is a build of xbmc available on their main site, your daughter will need the osx version of frodo.

[Crash2009]

Thanks, I sent her to http://xbmc.org/download/ and told her to get OSX or (X86) (X64) depending on the model she has.

[winterescape]

JazJon

I was experimenting with XBMC (openelec) this weekend and noticed that without a solution like you describe here, the EPG guide data integration is still a mess. Running tvheadend server /client on the same machine (HTPC) apparently still requires something like mc2xml to grab EPG data for US based ATSC machines.

I assume using 7MC as the back end and XBMC as the client, the method you describe here, allows the guide data to be pulled down on the server and displayed on the client?

Also, any updates or pointers in the last few months?

[Crash2009]

allows the guide data to be pulled down on the server and displayed on the client?

Yes. I have WMC configured on the HTPC running Win 7. Server WMC is running on the HTPC. Live TV, EPG, Recorded TV, Etc. are all available on the various types of XBMC clients I have. 1 Gotham and 3 or 4 Frodo's. One of the Frodo's is a tethered jailbreak iPhone 3GS. The iPhone streams SD without missing a beat, unfortunately HD chokes pretty bad on the wifi. Next project is to try the webserver and send my channels to wherever I am. Looks kinda complex for a rookie such as I.

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=PV ... /ServerWMC

http://wiki.xbmc.org/index.php?title=Add-on:PVR.WMC

http://https://github.com/Jalle19/xbmc-video-server

[AgileHumor]

I think the best setup will be your server running:

* WMC (8.1 best)
* MediaBrowser with XBMC Addon. This will also let you stream to your mobile devices.
* SeverWMC for Live TV (integrated to MediaBrowser)

Then you can have browser, XBMC, WMC, Roku, Samsung App, etc all using the same backend server...MediaBrowser.

[Crash2009]

The most important being of course the WAF. I have 0 issues with WMC and my gf loves it.

You lucky devil WAF and a GF.