November 23, 2004
This is Part 2: Setting up your mac to talk to your ReplayTV.
Now that you have all the Hardware from (part 1) and a connection set up from (part 2) you are ready to set up the software.
This Post is a half how to and half a software review.
What you will need for this part:
With Both your mac and your ReplayTV on the same network it is time to get the software working. Start by going to www.DVArchive.org and download DV Archive and install it.
(Please keep in mind that some of the following came from their Read Me document and some are my own suggestions and thoughts.)
Getting Started
To use DVArchive, you will need Java 1.4.2 or later, which itself requires Mac OS X 10.3.1 or later. If you have Mac OS 10.2.3 through 10.2.8 and Java 1.4.1 installed, you will be able to use DVArchive, but it is unsupported and may not perform as expected. To get the latest Java for your system, use Software Update (in System Preferences) and whatever is current will be available for download.
---- In order to make this program useful, the biggest thing you will need to set up is the following:
Video Playback on your Mac
A popular feature of DVArchive is the ability to play back its files locally or streamed from your ReplayTV or another DVArchive. To do this in Mac OS X, they recommend QuickTime 6.1 or later with Apple's MPEG-2 Playback Component ($20, purchase and download from here; or included with Final Cut Pro and DVD Studio Pro).
After all that is set up:
Once that is finished, the app will open a window. In this window, on the right, you will see all the ReplayTVs on the network and your computer's media (if you have not downloaded video to your computer, this will be empty). If you look under ReplayTVs, you will see all the shows it has recorded. In this window, you will also see tabs/buttons at top. Most buttons are self-explanatory.
If you just want to watch your shows on your Mac from the ReplayTV, just Control click on a show on the left and select Play. If you would like to download a show, Control click on a show on the left and select Download.
How I use this software
I have DVArchive set up on my home server so that it is always running in the background. I have set up the app to download nightly all new videos that have been recorded during the day. Doing this helps me keep all the videos I want and/or burn them to a DVD to share with friends or watch on long plane rides.
From time to time I do use the remote control feature. this will let you control your ReplayTV from your computer. I use my laptop or may Mac Tablet it is like having big remote control that is using 801.11b (WiFI) instead of IR.
My Thoughts:
If it was not for DVArchive, ReplayTV would not be worth getting. The program is well made and, for what is does, is very stable and simple to use.
Come soon: Come soon: Part 4, How to make a DVD from ReplayTV videos.
Websites that can help you:
http://www.macreplaytv.com/
http://www.dvarchive.org/phpBB2/
http://www.planetreplay.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=15
Posted by macomadmin at 02:32 AM
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Apple has a new update that Delivers enhanced functionality and improved reliability for Mac OS X v10.3 Panther. It is recommended for all users.
