2015-05-12, 17:01
I currently have a TiVo s2 and use kodi for local content. If I install a PVR, what am I buying for my trouble? Will I be able to access my TiVo channel guide? Could I record on my PC hard drive? Any other benefit I missed?
2015-05-13, 03:59
I don't believe there is any PVR add-on or backend that directly interfaces with any TiVo's.
2015-05-16, 14:29
So why do folks install a PVR? What options are there for cord cutters? Please, give a high level, plain english reason of what's possible.
2015-05-16, 14:54
PVR software at the back end (tvheadend, MythTV, Argus, NextPVR, whatever) allows you to receive and record broadcast programming from DVB-T (terrestrial), DVB-S (satellite) or DVB-C (cable) sources. EPGs are typically either embedded in the broadcast stream (as a TV would get it) or downloaded in parallel from an external source (e.g. xmltv).
The PVR addons for Kodi then allow you to access and control that functionality from the same front end as you'd use to access your other media - DVDs, BRs, FLAC/MP3 music, photos, whatever.
Most PVR discussions are around free over-the-air programming. There are means to address encrypted streams, but they're not to be discussed on this forum simply because of the legality of defeating that encryption or sharing the decrypted content (all country-specific). Similarly, you can use some PVR platforms to deal with over-the-Internet programming - IPTV - but, again, there are specific legal issues around the nature (source/ownership) of that content and thus discussion here is limited to legal/free sources/web-based sources.
Caveats out of the way, then, you could basically replace your Tivo with a couple of tuners of the relevant type and all the EPG/record/rewind/schedule/watch functionality shifts to a PC or server with the use of the PVR software.
The PVR addons for Kodi then allow you to access and control that functionality from the same front end as you'd use to access your other media - DVDs, BRs, FLAC/MP3 music, photos, whatever.
Most PVR discussions are around free over-the-air programming. There are means to address encrypted streams, but they're not to be discussed on this forum simply because of the legality of defeating that encryption or sharing the decrypted content (all country-specific). Similarly, you can use some PVR platforms to deal with over-the-Internet programming - IPTV - but, again, there are specific legal issues around the nature (source/ownership) of that content and thus discussion here is limited to legal/free sources/web-based sources.
Caveats out of the way, then, you could basically replace your Tivo with a couple of tuners of the relevant type and all the EPG/record/rewind/schedule/watch functionality shifts to a PC or server with the use of the PVR software.
2015-05-16, 20:08
(2015-05-16, 14:29)music_lover Wrote: So why do folks install a PVR? What options are there for cord cutters? Please, give a high level, plain english reason of what's possible.
PVR is not about cutting the cord, it's about using your computer and favorite media center to watch TV instead of using your TV's or receivers usually limited interface.
2015-05-17, 19:54
Main advantage for me in using a pvr is to aggregate multiple physical tuners and then present them virtually to Kodi on multiple devices, I.e. Windows, pi, android, iOS devices. Can watch any channel or recording no matter where I am all using the same back end.[/u]
2015-05-19, 15:27
Would I need any additional equipment to install a PVR?
Also, I'm still on Gotham, should I upgrade first?
Also, I'm still on Gotham, should I upgrade first?
2015-05-20, 10:55
(2015-05-16, 14:29)music_lover Wrote: So why do folks install a PVR? What options are there for cord cutters? Please, give a high level, plain english reason of what's possible.There is a pretty good (but older) high level description with an explanation of how PVR works in XBMC (now renamed to Kodi) and the reasons people want it in this article on Lifehacker:
http://lifehacker.com/5981757/how-to-wat...dia-center
You can think of it as replacement to a more flexible DVR solution: Kodi on a computer + PVR backend software + computer hardware TV-tuner device or adapter = TiVo DVR replacement.
As for options specifically for cord-cutters you might want to look into how to receive free over-the-air signals/channels using a DVB or ATSC receiver device or adapter for your computer. Most North Americans can access many High Definition TV for free by plugging in such computer DVB or ATSC receiver device or adapter into an Over-The-Air (OTA) HDTV antenna.
(2015-05-19, 15:27)music_lover Wrote: Would I need any additional equipment to install a PVR?Yes, if you want to utilize your existing S2 signal in then need to get a S2 TV-tuner device/adapter for your Kodi computer or home server that will run a PVR backend software. If you do not want to keep your expensive channel package for S2 (Satellite geneeration-2) then chances are that you do need an device/adapter for receiving free over-the-air signals/channels.
LinuxTV.org have a list of compatible hardware TV-tuner devices/adapters for computers http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Ha...nformation
Another option is to get a network-attached-tuner, example the SiliconDust HDHomeRun series, but even with those you still need to have PVR backend software running on a computer.
Then follow the http://kodi.wiki/view/PVR guide in the Kodi wiki which describe what you need once you selected a TV-tuner device/adapter hardware: http://kodi.wiki/view/PVR/
(2015-05-19, 15:27)music_lover Wrote: Also, I'm still on Gotham, should I upgrade first?Recommend upgrade to at least Helix, but for an even better PVR experience upgrade Isengard (Beta or later). Helix had many improvements under-the-hood for the PVR/DVR functions and Isengard have many improvements to GUI user-experience for PVR/DVR.
2015-05-20, 14:40
Thanks rocker, by s2, I meant the old series 2 non HDMI TiVo version, but its free for life.
The tuner part worries me, cause where I live we get horrible antenna reception, so I'm back to cable, where I have basic local for $10/month. I assume these tuners have a card slot for cable cards, so I could replicate my cable channels.
But, I wanted a pvr so I can watch TV shows that media stations let you watch/record for free on their websites. And a nice EPG of my favorites would be great.
The tuner part worries me, cause where I live we get horrible antenna reception, so I'm back to cable, where I have basic local for $10/month. I assume these tuners have a card slot for cable cards, so I could replicate my cable channels.
But, I wanted a pvr so I can watch TV shows that media stations let you watch/record for free on their websites. And a nice EPG of my favorites would be great.
2015-05-22, 15:37
I don't mean to frighten you, but you will actually have put in some own research yourself about what TV-tuners you need for cable tv and what channels you can receive in your area.
As far as I know most PVR backend software for computers don't support CableCARD, maybe some do now? I don't know which, however my guess is Windows only ones, (but I honestly don't about care CableCARD myself since I don't live in a country that uses CableCARD), as without CableCARD support I believe that you are probably stuck with free unencrypted channels.
Quick seach on google looks like Silicondust HDHomeRun Prime is a network-attached TV-tuner for that is compatible with CableCARD for cable tv
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Si...eRun_Prime
https://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/
Again, tip is to checkout LinuxTV.org for TV-tuner device/adapter hardware then research which PVR backend software is compatible with it
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Ha...nformation
Regardless you are not going to be re-using your TiVo to access it from Kodi somehow. And what media stations let you watch/record on their websites have nothing to do with Kodi PVR.
As far as I know most PVR backend software for computers don't support CableCARD, maybe some do now? I don't know which, however my guess is Windows only ones, (but I honestly don't about care CableCARD myself since I don't live in a country that uses CableCARD), as without CableCARD support I believe that you are probably stuck with free unencrypted channels.
Quick seach on google looks like Silicondust HDHomeRun Prime is a network-attached TV-tuner for that is compatible with CableCARD for cable tv
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Si...eRun_Prime
https://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/
Again, tip is to checkout LinuxTV.org for TV-tuner device/adapter hardware then research which PVR backend software is compatible with it
http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Ha...nformation
Regardless you are not going to be re-using your TiVo to access it from Kodi somehow. And what media stations let you watch/record on their websites have nothing to do with Kodi PVR.
