Windows Media Center gets networked tuners via DVBLink
By Ben Drawbaugh 
posted January 14th 2010 9:40AM
posted January 14th 2010 9:40AM
Although not many service providers in the US have leveraged the new Protected Broadcast Driver Architecture (PBDA) in Windows Media Center, the folks over at DVBLogic sure have. You might remember the name DVBLink because it's the software that makes the Hauppauge HD PVR work with Windows 7 Media Center, and now the company has once again stepped up and filled a void in Media Center by enabling network tuners -- what's next a software Extender? The way this works is that you install server software where the tuner is installed and a client on the Media Center PC where you want to use it. This opens up some interesting possibilities like the ability to install tuners on your WHS, and use them on your small form factor PC sitting in the home theater -- sure you could just use a HDHomeRun, but this would work with any tuner. We've yet to try this ourselves, but the directions are not as straight forward as we just described it, regardless, as long as it works it sounds like any installation woes would be well worth the trouble.
I'm very happy that WMC is expanding it's capability as it's a wonderful and necessary (considering DRM requirements). However, I feel the need to mention that MythTV has had this capability for quite some time. Now that Mythbuntu has .22 I think the platform is really developing. If not for Draconian style lockdowns by the providers I'd be running a MythTV setup myself.
I know this is probably a stupid question, but since this is DVB (from the UK), does the work with US tuners (ATSC, ClearQAM, or CableCard)?
Does this mean I might be able to install the upcoming Ceton CableCard tuner in my WHS, while accessing it from multiple HTPC's in the house? That would definitely make the $399 investment more worthwhile!
@jammastercd Looks like it. What's missing is the ability to record directly onto your WHS and then stream to your client HTPC. Or swear at the copy once flag, as is applicable.
@jammastercd indeed indeed! I was worrying that the HDhomerun was going to take way too long to actually drop and I would never get the added functionality. Now looks like a single card, a single rented cable card, and i can shoot TV all around the house! money!!!
@jammastercd Sorry, but not yet. According to the forums (http://dvblogic.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=43&t=8923&start=75#p20024), the solution does not yet work with CableCard tuners: "You are receiving US Clear QAM or ATSC signal, right? Current version of TVSource does not work with American digital streaming standards. We are planning to make it but already after initial v2 release. Sorry for bad news."
I don't think this seems like a solution until I could sync the guide data on each PC in the entertainment network.
Here's an idea I've been toying with trying, but haven't got around to it yet:
1) On a relatively poweful machine with a fast boot drive and either a big second HD or an even larger RAID array
2) Install Microsoft's free HyperV hypervisor
3) Create a VM and install WHS on it, using the big drive as its storage pool
4) Create a VM and install Win7 Home Premium, using the big drive as its Recorded TV folder
5) Add tuners as required, either inside the box, attached to the box, or on the network
6) Enjoy the same box being your MC and WHS with tons of storage for ripped DVD/BD's, recorded TV, etc.
7) Use extenders (360's) to enable multi-room. You could even have this uber-box in the closet headless.
Would this work like I think/hope it would?
This guy runs WHS under HyperV... all he has to do now is add MC :)
http://servethehome.com
-shoek