I am a TiVo refugee, ReplayTV before that, all the way back to Beta in 1975. I am looking at Channels but I am still not sure the best way to connect to a TV, The threads I read say "smart" is not going to work. I already have networked W/7 machines on all of my TVs but that seems to need an Android emulator. Am I missing something?
With the server PC connected to a TV, will that work like a Channel client?
Channels requires an Apple TV or Android TV streaming box at each TV (connected using HDMI)
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OK Thanks. It doesn't sound like this is going to work for me. I don't watch TV on a tablet.
Does the monitor attached to the server act like client?
Are you not familiar with streaming devices that attach to your TV?
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They plug into your TV's HDMI port and act as a set top box
I think I have a firestick around here somewhere but I use a PC on each TV to simplify the interface. From there I can call up any streaming service or stream my own content (music, pictures video). I can also access the web with a real browser. I was just hoping I could find a PC solution when TiVo finally bites the dust. Has anyone used Bluestacks emulator?
It’s not that you can’t watch content from a htpc web browser (you can) it’s just not very user friendly. The web ui is designed for administration not for main use as a client. You’re going to need to use a mouse and everything will be transcoded from your main server. It would be simpler to change the input on your tv to use the fire stick.
I don’t know anything about TiVo but isn’t it a box just like a fire stick and separate from your htpc now? Does TiVo integrate into the htpc now?
There’s always the channels addon for kodi you could use but I couldn’t comment on how good it is.
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Tivo is a standalone DVR package (Linux based I think) but it is just plug it in and go. You can network in "minis" at each TV and they operate like the TiVo. The TiVo remote runs the TV. Then I have a mouse and a keyboard that I prefer when on streaming sites. I hate searching, entering text with a remote. I was hoping this would work for me but maybe not. Can you run the monitor the server is using to watch shows, record and operate the guide?
I guess I just don't know what the skin looks like. .
The streaming devices would be the equivalent of the Minis.
The Channels Server which is headless would be actual tivo box.
Good mini- like streaming heads would be Apple TVs, a FireTV stick, or an androidTV box (ONN from walmart sells a $20 box)
Here is a 4yr old video that may help in explaining it
I hate searching, entering text with a remote.
As far as I know, all three options (apple, amazon, or google) offer voice search with their remotes and phone apps to type using your phone
Yes, not only on the server but you can access those same features on any other pc, htpc, tablet, or phone with a web browser. But again it’s not as user friendly as a streaming device with the channels app.
Will the DVR server record streams directly from the internet? I am just trying to figure out what I could do to test this without buying a Homerun in case I don't like it.
Do you subscribe to a livetv Service ? for EX Hulu Philo etc...?
I have netflix and prime.
For on-demand streaming services like Netflix and Prime, Channels integrates with a third-party service called PlayOn Cloud to record and download shows. You can also set it up with PlayOn Home. But PlayOn is an extra expense.
I use that about once a year, to record something from FreeVee and skip commercials. But my main use, like most people here, is recording live TV from an HDHR and/or live TV streams like Hulu Live TV or Philo.
Yes depending if the content m3u is drm’d or not. The best way to test would be to make a custom source for Pluto. Very easy to setup and will give you an idea of how the guide looks and you can record from it.
Here is what the guide page looks like in a chrome web browser
Create a free Sling.com account and you’ll get a small collection of TVE channels to work with…
And here is a quick and easy way to add very many channels for free via Pluto TV: https://nocords.xyz/
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Thanks for all the help. I don't think this is going to be me right now. It is an interesting platform but it involves too many things I don't do now.
I have Netflix, Prime and an antenna TiVo.
If I want anything else, I have a PC right there that does everything.
I like thin clients, a pretty powerful PC in a 7x7 box and if you shop, dirt cheap.