Long time WMC 7 user with Two x3 tuner HDHR primes. my "Schedules" subscription is due and I am ready to make the leap.
what is the most ideal hardware to build out a whole home DVR around my 6 HDHR
first thought is
Windows 10 SFF PC with 4TB. i5-8th Gen - Main DVR server
Nvida shields for 2 TVs (std or pro)
+IOS apps for multiple ipads
should I go Windows boxes for TVs? I was concerned about using MCE remote for navigation in Channels
Thanks
There is no real Client for windows. Just the Browser or Client that runs in Windows android subsystem.
Your server hardware will be fine. I wouldn't recommend a window box to run the client for your TVs. Like Edwin said above, the client is just your browser and I believe your experience will be better with a streaming box. Really, any streaming box will work and I would go with what you're used to using.
I see. thanks for the input.
I will go for AppleTV or Nvidia Shields for clients.
The most important question is whether your cable provider uses DRM on any of the channels you subscribe to. WMC is the only real PC DVR solution that can view, record, and playback DRM (copy-once) cable channels. If you need DRM support, stick with WMC.
SiliconDust's DVR can view DRM channels on most client devices, but not all. And they've been promising DRM recording ever since they launched their DVR, and it is still nowhere to be seen. But if you only watch DRM channels and don't record them, then that's an option. (And their DVR is only $5 more than your Schedules Direct yearly fee.)
If you use FIOS or some other provider that is essentially DRM-free, then you have many more options.
I dont record DRM channels. dont even get many channels that are DRM.
I do have DVR on the SD's DVR service, the App is horrible. + schedules for WMC.
I abandoned WMC about 5 years ago and Channels was the reason. In truth, I've had Channels running on a Raspberry Pi, a Synology NAS (current), and a 12x Core Xeon Computer with high end graphic card. For the most part, I think the server hardware difference amongst all of them is nominal except in time to scan commercials, but unless you watch programs immediately after you record them, it's a non issue. Or if you are streaming a lot out of your house (ie multiple transcoding streams), which isn't usually the case.
I's say invest in the client side. I use NVIDIA Shields, Google Chromcast TV, Fire Sticks and the Shields are the most responsive and lag fee in terms of navigating through the app. All play content fine, but I don't like jiddery motion as I scroll through the guide and you get some of tat with the Google Device and more with the Fire Sticks I use.
great to see another WMC Vet!
I try to find a server build out with 6+ cores. maybe an older i7-3700k with a GTX970 and 512gbSSD + 4TB .
NVIDIA Shields sound like the way to go.
NVIDIA SHIELD Android TV Pro Streaming Media Player; 4K HDR onsale amazon for $175 (still cheaper than all my SFF builds)
so, I just need the $80.00/year subscription for my Windows "Channels DVR server" guide is included
covers my DVR server, shield clients and ipad Apps?
Yes as many Clients as you want plus Guide and Server Software... and outstanding support worth every penny.
I have both shield TVs and an Apple TV 4K for clients . Both are fine but the atv4k wins because the developers develop for Apple first on new features. There are still some features that haven’t made it to android tv yet. Go with atv4k.
I dont see Guide purchase. just the $8/month or $80/year.
do you have a link?
It is included.
even better. $80 all in is reasonable.
Last question. Is Shield Pro's 3GB vs Non-Pro 2GB RAM a big deal for lag as a client?
I have owned them both and I personally didn't notice any difference between the two.