XBMC Live TV - auto-generating channel files

[nickk]

XBMC can now use the HDHomeRun to watch live TV.

1) Download and install the latest XBMC release:
http://xbmc.org/download/

2) Download and install the latest HDHomeRun beta software:
http://www.silicondust.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2484

For non Windows platforms you will need to generate the channel files manually, or use a Windows machine to generate the files and copy them to the target machine.

3) Run HDHomeRun Setup and set the application to "XBMC Media Center". Click apply.

4) Run XBMC and choose Videos, Add Source. Browse to the HDHomeRun XBMC TV directory and click OK:
XP: C:\Documents and Settings\<username>\HDHomeRun XBMC TV
Vista: C:\Users\<username>\HDHomeRun XBMC TV

5) Select HDHomeRun XBMC TV and choose the desired channel to watch.

[belboz]

Sounds cool.

Do you know how well it works or if it even works with XBMC running on an actual original Xbox?

[bonez]

You never cease to amaze, Jafa. Thanks

[Sandman_CL]

Sounds cool.

Do you know how well it works or if it even works with XBMC running on an actual original Xbox?

It works, but only for non-HD channels. There are some issues with black screen between commercial break and regular programming, but a simple restart of the hdhr stream is all that's needed at that point. So it's not flawless but a great way to get Live TV on the xbox.

[jameson71]

wanted to say thank you, the support for the hdhomerun has been fantastic.

[eternal]

the xbox cpu is too slow to handle 1080 hd
i think however it can handle 720 mpegs okay tho

[philoyboy]

Hi,

This thread wasn't too old and it was the closest I found to a topic concerning my question.

I have an original xbox running XBMC and am considering purchasing the hdhomerun. Is it true, an earlier poster said, that the xbox will drop out while streaming HD content? Is this just a hardware limit on the xbox or software problem in XBMC?

I wanted to be able to pause live TV using the original xbox and this HDhomerun.

[gsacks]

Hi,

I have an original xbox running XBMC and am considering purchasing the hdhomerun. Is it true, an earlier poster said, that the xbox will drop out while streaming HD content? Is this just a hardware limit on the xbox or software problem in XBMC?

It is a hardware limit of the xbox. (700mhz celeron cpu) You'll be OK with anything 720P or lower. It does pause, but I don't know how big the buffer in xbmc is, or how much you would want to cache to your HD. It is a nice bonus to be able to use the HDHR with my Xbox, but I wouldn't recommend it if that is your only use for it.

[daimoh]

XBMC can now use the HDHomeRun to watch live TV.
...
For non Windows platforms you will need to generate the channel files manually, or use a Windows machine to generate the files and copy them to the target machine.
...

How do you generate the channel files manually?

[iaw4]

ahmmm...will XBMC support for hdhomerun make it to Mac OSX (esp auto channel selection)?

also, it would seem that HD channel support is very important. NTSC is pretty close to history.

/iaw

[mrjcleaver]

Is HD channel generation available yet for MacOS?

Thanks,
Martin.

[ellenthy]

How can I get wireless xbox live connection without spending money on an adapter? My xbox is located upstairs from my computer, and a cord to connect the two would have to measure around 200ft. My friend told me I can buy a wireless router that connects to the modem and then have a short ethernet cable from the router to the xbox. Is this actually possible/is there any other way?

[duaneg]

Hi,

I have compiled the latest hdhomerun gui on my Linux system and can view tv with it fine. I would now like to be able to generate the channels file so I can use it with XBMC (which can see the device). I grabbed the channels page from your web site, but don't know where to put it so XBMC can see it on linux (someplace under ~/.xbmc I guess?).

thanks for a great product,
Duane

[jasonl]

Channel file generation capabilities are currently available only in the Windows HDHomeRun Setup software. On other platforms you can either copy files from a Windows PC or generate the files yourself. They use the following format, one file per channel:
hdhomerun://<deviceid>-<tuner>/tuner<tuner>?channel=<modulation>:<channel>&program=<program>

example:
hdhomerun://10000000-0/tuner0?channel=q ... &program=1
hdhomerun://10000000-1/tuner1?channel=q ... &program=1

Note that you can use channel frequency instead of number if you prefer.

[duaneg]

Hi Jason,

Thanks for the quick response. I only have linux systems, so I will build the file manually following your examples. I need to know how to find the program number (I could get the rest of the information from the config gui). Do I need that number if I only want to watch whatever is on at the moment? Also, I do not know where to put the channel file because the directories mentioned in the Windows version are specific to a Windows installation (ie where will XBMC on linux look for it and under what name?).

thanks a bunch,
Duane