Newb question, what is benefit of transcoding?

Channels DVR Server
#1

Sorry for asking such a newb question, but what benefit does transcoding offer? From what I have read, this is a preferable feature for those wanting to stream recorded shows over the web or who wish to use less storage space for their recordings.

What if you have no desire to stream recorded shows over the web? Or if you record so little TV that you’re not really concerned about storage space? In those cases, is there any reason to be concerned about transcoding? We only plan to watch our recorded shows on our ATV4. We would like to time-shift our viewing, though (i.e. start watching a recorded show while it’s still recording). Would transcoding make any difference in that case?

#2

No reason to care about transcoding then.

#3

Thanks again for your response. I ended up repurposing an old Windows Home Server PC for Channels DVR last night. Everything seems to be running smoothly, so far.

Quick question, even though I do not have any need to view recorded shows remotely, I am curious to test how well my setup works for this. Where do I go to sign into my Web UI for Channels DVR? I’m at work right now and would like to test its abilities. I checkmarked the remote access option when I set up DVR on the PC. However, I have no idea where to go to access it remotely.

Thanks.

#4

You just need to forward port 8089 in your router to the LAN IP where you server is. Then from outside just point your browser to http://yourIPaddress:8089

Works great.

Having a dynamic DNS address helps.

#5

Thanks! My wife is working from home today. So, she was able to check our current IP address and email it to me. I just finished logging into the DVR web UI and tried playing the show I had test recorded last night. It was stuttering like crazy. Checking the Web Player transcoding setting, I saw it was at the default 1080P. I dropped it down to 480P, and it works perfectly watching the show over the web. I assume that Web Player setting is strictly for streaming videos remotely, correct? It isn’t going to re-transcode my recordings down to a lower resolution file, right?

Now I just need to set up my Dynamic DNS Address service again so that I can always have access to my DVR web UI regardless of the IP address changing. I used to use FreeDNS a long time ago but haven’t had a need to use it for awhile. I just checked, and my FreeDNS account is still active. So, I just need to download a Dynamic DNS client to my DVR server and link it to my FreeDNS account, and I’ll be all good to go!

#6

Correct. The transcoding setting is only used for web playback, and the conversion happens in real time as you’re watching.

#7

Awesome! Well, so far, everything is working out swimmingly! I am very happy with this DVR solution!

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