I want to develop a custom home DVR set up with some of the hardware I already have laying around.

February 1, 2012 3:26 PM

I want to develop a custom home DVR setup with some hardware I already have.

My goal is to record HD television shows so that I may watch them at my TV or at my computer (which are on different floors). I have a Mac Mini (~4 years old, 2ghz core 2 duo, 2g ram, 10.6) that's been sitting around with no use and I would like to use it for this project. I will probably use Null River Connect360, so that I can use the XBOX that's already connected to my TV.

Details:
XBOX 360 is wireless, computer is wired. Mini could be either.
I would like to use a cable card so I don't need a cable box (I have no previous experience with cable cards, however)
I'm aware that some cable channels only allow you to "write once," which I don't view as a problem as all the files will be stored on the mini.
The file format has to be XBOX 360 compatible

So, I need some video capture hardware and software recommendations and perhaps general advice or if there's anything I've overlooked. Thanks.

posted by disaster77 to Computers & Internet (6 answers total)

Best answer: For Mac OS, the best (and really only) recording software comes from Elgato, which is compatible with a variety of tuners. They sell some rebranded tuners, but there are others that may be more suitable.
posted by ZeusHumms at 3:53 PM on February 1, 2012

Best answer: I have a Mac Mini (~4 years old, 2ghz core 2 duo, 2g ram, 10.6) that's been sitting around with no use and I would like to use it for this project.

I would like to use a cable card so I don't need a cable box

Unfortunately, I think this is where you're hosed. IIRC, there are 3 TV tuners for PCs that will accept a cable card. They are: Ceton Infinitv 4, SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME, and the Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650. All three require Windows Media Center, preferably on Window 7. This is due to the CableCARD Labs requirements. If you are willing to kick that Mac Mini to being a Windows 7 box, you can probably use the SiliconDust or Hauppauge boxes for the CableCARD tuner. I'm quite confident the Ceton Infinitv 4 won't fit in a Mac Mini at all. Even if there is room for the Infinitv 4, that card is reported to get super hot. If you are anti-Windows, the only other alternative I've heard of (not confirmed) may work is using a Linux MythTV box.
posted by Mister Fabulous at 4:46 PM on February 1, 2012

Best answer: Yep, sorry, but CableCard is a no-go. The best you can do on a Mac is to get the Elgato EyeTV HD, which controls a cable box and has component video inputs.

After looking into it, I realized it's just not worth it over the cable company's DVR, as crappy as it is. Now I've ditched cable altogether and get TV online, a mix of Hulu, Amazon, iTunes, and... elsewhere.
posted by supercres at 6:10 PM on February 1, 2012

I checked Elgato's Software support page, and they support the HDHomeRun, not the HDHomeRun PRIME. Oddly, they do make an iPad app that works with the HDHomeRun PRIME, but not the HDHomeRun.

Otherwise, there's a Mac forum on AV Science Forum that has lots of threads about Mac HTPCs, if that's the direction you still want to go in.
posted by ZeusHumms at 8:03 PM on February 1, 2012

Response by poster: Meh. I was reading about the ones that need Windows 7 media center, but I wanted to avoid buying a new windows computer. I have an WinXP box laying around, but it's pushing 7-8 years old and I haven't even turned it on in 3+ years and was planning to use it for some other things if I ever got around to it.

I guess I'll have to keep exploring my options. Thanks all.
posted by disaster77 at 8:59 AM on February 2, 2012

Well, you could always put WinXP (if you can find a copy) on Bootcamp on your Mac mini.
posted by ZeusHumms at 2:18 PM on February 2, 2012