Build your Own PVR
This project came about because someone I know had wired up their house for Satellite and TV but not thought to add any connections to the Kitchen.
The Brief
So they had a TV they wanted to install in the Kitchen but no network ports or Satellite or TV ports in that location.
In other part of the house they had TV connections and internet.
They also wanted a simple interface, no PC, and a remote control to operate things, oh "it would be good to be able to record stuff too, individual shows and whole series.
They also some WD TV media boxes around the house that they wanted to replace.
The parts list
3 x Raspberry Pi plus cases. The case from AliExpress / Ebay are cheap under $2 delivered including heatsinks. I don't overclock them but the heat sinks are included in the price and will lower the temp of the chips. Mine came with 3M thermal pads attached. Excellent! I used the laser cut perspex cases these work well, flat pack for shipping and being clear plastic allow you to see the LEDs on the Raspberry Pi
2 USB DVB adaptors: One Avermedia for $6 on eBay used (DVB) for standard Def, the other was from AliExpress a MyGiga DVB-T2 unit. This is needed for HD Freeview Recording in the UK.
Wif Dongle: Take 1: Tried a cheap $5 USB dongle worked ok for SD stream most of the time. Could not support HD. Take 2: Used a more expensive $50 Wifi dongle better and support for 5G much better but stills stuggled on occasion Take 3 (it works!) used Devolo Home networking. There are cheaper brands but these are excellent.
Wif Dongle: Take 1: Tried a cheap $5 USB dongle worked ok for SD stream most of the time. Could not support HD. Take 2: Used a more expensive $50 Wifi dongle better and support for 5G much better but stills stuggled on occasion Take 3 (it works!) used Devolo Home networking. There are cheaper brands but these are excellent.
A couple of remote control. There was no need for a remote for one TV as it supported CEC so that TV remote would work the Raspberry Pi. I got the ones recommended here http://www.htpcbeginner.com/simple-cheap-raspberry-pi-remote-control/ and paid $5 and $9 delivered for the small and the big one respectively. Remember KORE is a free offical app on the Play Store for Kodi to act as a remote using your phone plus your home network. You phone / tablet and RP need to be on the same network. For some uses like scrolling a touch screen has some benefits.
3x 2Amp PSU - Used some phone chargers with 2Amp PSU. Worth checking the actual current delivery as many PSU rated at 2Amp deliver 1.9A or less!
3x HDMI cables
Cheap ones from eBay / Amazon as the runs were short < 3m
1x USB keyboard useful for set up. That said KORE (the official Kodi Remote) for Android has the option to enter text on the phone, using the phone.
1x USB keyboard useful for set up. That said KORE (the official Kodi Remote) for Android has the option to enter text on the phone, using the phone.
Why 3 Raspberry Pis?
1 for the Gym to replace a WD TV - Records SD using the Avermedia USB Adaptor + Sony TV
1 for the Kitchen (the location with no network, Sat or TV points!) + Large Remote
1 for the AV room to replace a WD TV + Small Remote
Which Model Pi?
The one in the Gym used for SD recording was a Model B that was kick about
The other 2 were new Rasberry Pi 2 get this model if you can as it has more memory, CPU and USB ports!
In the next post I'l outline the software...