Go back to /usr/src/vdr-1.2.5 and run runvdr.remote. If
you use Red Hat, set the environment variable
LD_ASSUME_KERNEL=2.4.1, because VDR doesn't yet work with the native
posix layer that Red Hat introduced in the latest version. The modules for
the DVB card then are loaded, and the VDR is started. Hook up your TV,
and you should see a black screen prompting you to define the keys on your
remote. After finishing the wizard, you're ready to watch TV, record
shows and remove commercials. You can listen to your MP3s and watch
videos. There's a manual in VDR's root that explains
how to record and edit TV events, using the time-shift feature.

Back It Up

In case you're disappointed that the end of the article is within reach,
don't worry; there still are some optional things you can do. The automatic
backup feature has some limitations. Although the (S)VCD backup works
flawlessly, the DivX encoding does not crop the picture to remove
black bands, should they exist. This has quite a negative
impact on bit rate, size and overall picture quality. If you really
want a high-quality, small-size MPEG-4, you should back it up manually.
The improved picture quality is well worth the trouble.

Figure 3. The information bar shows the program name, running TV show and what's
on next.

VDR splits its recordings into 2GB files, which is a bit inconvenient
for transcoding the videos. If you go for manual conversion, which
gives you finer control over the quality/size aspect, mencoder or
transcode are good options. Use the speedy mencoder, which I found to
be perfect for backups to MPEG-4, or transcode, which comes with a lot of
tools. If you favor the I-don't-want-to-care approach, get a hold
of VDRCONVERT.
The README file offers a pretty simple approach to
installing it, and at least you can watch some TV while downloading and
compiling.
With VDRCONVERT you have to
change some scripts and configuration files to adapt the DVD/(S)VCD
resolutions to NTSC, in case PAL is not used where you live.

It's too bad that a Linux PVR doesn't make the TV
programs themselves any better, but I guess you can't have
everything, can you?

Christian A. Herzog is a programmer focused on Web development using
open-source technologies. He's still on his never-ending quest to bring a
Linux-based device to every home and company he comes across.
Write him at noeffred@gmx.net.

Comment viewing options

I was wonder if you could also include a connection diagram . I was looking at the nexus-s card and didn't see a TV out, just a loop connection is this the connection used for the TV. Or are using additional card to get the TV output?