Screen of the Internet Explorer window when connected to the Tuner
Server.
I downloaded a trial
version of the
Snap Stream software, to try the web interface. This function
is
compatible with
Microsoft's Internet Explorer only, and opens a window similar to
Window's Media Player. The user is able to stop or pause the
live
stream, and change channels. I like the "thin client" aspect,
which allows me to run the interface from anywhere without installing
software. The full version of the software costs $60.
The installed hardware also allows me to set up automated recordings of
any channel. I have not used this feature yet, but it
essentially
implements a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) such as a Tivo
unit.
The programming of automated recording and the viewing of the recorded
program can be controlled with the web server interface.
In addition to the security cameras, I can now stream to the web any
available channel including the VCR, DVD player, etc. As for
custom settings, I found
that I had to limit the streaming bandwidth to below my
DSL uplink speed and I
also had to open up
two
ports on my
router to allow
connection from the
web (HTTP Administration port and Live TV Streaming Server
port).
The Beyond
TV software also encodes MPEG-2, so I may be able to burn DVD's in the
future.
Links
Project Log
- September 2003 - TV Tuner card installed and Version 3.0 of
Snap
Stream installed.
- December 2003 - Trial Version 3.4 of Beyond TV (was Snap
Stream)
installed.
- January 2004 - Purchased full version 3.4 for $50.