Television: Difference between revisions
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==Instructions== |
==Instructions== |
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===Install the Tuner=== |
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The simplest way to add television to MC is to use a USB HD TV stick. They typically cost around $70. There is also a huge choice of PCI-E cards with multiple tuners and different network types combined into the same card. You don't need one with a remote. |
The simplest way to add television to MC is to use a USB HD TV stick. They typically cost around $70. There is also a huge choice of PCI-E cards with multiple tuners and different network types combined into the same card. You don't need one with a remote. |
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To delete channels, again there are two ways. The first, which is a bit slow, is to select TV Options > Edit Channel List. Ignore the check boxes against the channels. These are to select the channel as a Favorite. Click once on the channel name you want to delete and select "Delete Channel". This option will only delete one channel at a time. |
To delete channels, again there are two ways. The first, which is a bit slow, is to select TV Options > Edit Channel List. Ignore the check boxes against the channels. These are to select the channel as a Favorite. Click once on the channel name you want to delete and select "Delete Channel". This option will only delete one channel at a time. |
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The second way to delete is to create a Smartlist containing all the channels and delete from that. There are other advantages to having this Smartlist which we will come to later. Right click on Playlists in the left pane of Standard View and select "Add Smartlist". Name it, e.g. TV Channels and, under Rules, set Media Type is TV. Remember to uncheck Audio which is the default. Now all your channels will be listed in the main pane. |
The second way to delete is to create a Smartlist containing all the channels and delete from that. There are other advantages to having this Smartlist which we will come to later. Right click on Playlists in the left pane of Standard View and select "Add Smartlist". Name it, e.g. TV Channels and, under Rules, set Media Type is TV. Remember to uncheck Audio which is the default. Now all your channels will be listed in the main pane. To make sure your smart list is setup correctly, you can check the "Filename" for each entry. They have filename extension "tvlb". The filenames all begin with "TV Channel" and ends with "([tuner type])", like |
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"TV Channel xxxxxxxxxx (ATSC).tvlb" |
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"TV Channel xxxxxxxxxx (Set Top Box).tvlb" |
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A piece of advice at this stage. Create a backup. File > Library > Back Up Library. Now, if you accidentally delete channels which you want, you can restore the library. Now, holding the Alt key, click on those channels which you want to delete. Point to any one of these selected lines and right click and select delete. Confirm Delete from Library. |
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You can then [http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/EPG set up an EPG]. |
You can then [http://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/EPG set up an EPG]. |
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Revision as of 11:27, 24 May 2012
You can use Media Center to watch high quality HD television on your PC. You can also connect a PC to your TV or projector and watch it there.
With the switch to digital television, the picture quality of over-the-air television is stunningly good. There are also many channels to be found on Satellite, many of them clear of encryption and, therefore, free to watch without subscription. Add a Netflix subscription and you may feel like dropping your cable subscription.
MC can pause, rewind, fast forward, or record. Together with the Electronic Program Guide (EPG), this makes it an ideal Personal Video Recorder (PVR). Please see the wiki entry for EPG Setup.
Theater View's ten foot interface is the best way to enjoy MC's television. MC13 implemented support for the Microsoft Media Center (MS MC) remotes. The remotes for XP are different from the ones for Vista, so you'll need to get the right one for your OS.
If you're concerned about power consumption, you'll be glad that MC can wake the PC from sleep in order to record a show.
Hardware
J. River Media Center supports most HD tuners and supports ATSC, DVB-T/T2 (terrestrial - over the air), DVB-S/S2 (satellite), DVB-C (cable) and QAM (cable). You can read more about tuners on J. River's TV Board. MC can support multiple tuners so you can record two or more channels at the same time, or record one channel while you watch another.
Here are a few recommended hardware choices:
J. River offers a Media Center Remote and a USB TV Stick tuner.
HDTV Indoor/Outdoor Television Antenna
Instructions
Install the Tuner
The simplest way to add television to MC is to use a USB HD TV stick. They typically cost around $70. There is also a huge choice of PCI-E cards with multiple tuners and different network types combined into the same card. You don't need one with a remote.
Plug in the USB stick or install the internal card.
Install the driver that came with the device.
Connect a digital antenna to the device and/or satellite dish feed.
Run MC. Under Tools > Options > General > Features, make sure TV is checked.
Under Drives and Devices, open Television.
Choose "TV Options" - bottom left of the pane. Under "Settings", select your country and choose a device. Click Configure and select the Tuner Type. The other settings are not important at this stage. If you have more than one tuner, do the same for each. Click OK to return to Options and OK again.
Under TV Options, choose "Scan for Channels". Check "Scan for digital channels". Click Next and select "Digital Scanning Type" Complete the options relevant to the scanning type. Some may be greyed out if they are not appropriate. Click Next to start the scan. The scan may take several minutes so be patient. You should see a list of channels build in the window.
When the scan has completed, if you have more than one type of tuner, e.g. a combined DVB-T and DVB-S card, repeat the process and select the relevant device. If you have a dual tuner with both tuners being the same type, you only need to scan once.
Now, in the main Television pane, you should see a list of channels. Try playing a few channels. They take a few seconds to switch. The antenna must be pointed at the broadcast source.
You may find that you have many channels which you don't want to watch. There are two ways around this. You can select the channels which you want to appear in the Guide (Favorites) or you can delete the ones you don't want.
To delete channels, again there are two ways. The first, which is a bit slow, is to select TV Options > Edit Channel List. Ignore the check boxes against the channels. These are to select the channel as a Favorite. Click once on the channel name you want to delete and select "Delete Channel". This option will only delete one channel at a time.
The second way to delete is to create a Smartlist containing all the channels and delete from that. There are other advantages to having this Smartlist which we will come to later. Right click on Playlists in the left pane of Standard View and select "Add Smartlist". Name it, e.g. TV Channels and, under Rules, set Media Type is TV. Remember to uncheck Audio which is the default. Now all your channels will be listed in the main pane. To make sure your smart list is setup correctly, you can check the "Filename" for each entry. They have filename extension "tvlb". The filenames all begin with "TV Channel" and ends with "([tuner type])", like
"TV Channel xxxxxxxxxx (ATSC).tvlb" "TV Channel xxxxxxxxxx (Set Top Box).tvlb"
A piece of advice at this stage. Create a backup. File > Library > Back Up Library. Now, if you accidentally delete channels which you want, you can restore the library. Now, holding the Alt key, click on those channels which you want to delete. Point to any one of these selected lines and right click and select delete. Confirm Delete from Library.
You can then set up an EPG.
MC's Television is at its best when used with Theater View and a Media Center Remote.