Simple.TV?

[Chakravartin]

silvarios wrote:
I would think the files can be moved to the Mac if you disconnect the external drive from the Simple.tv and then connect to the Mac.

It doesn't look like there's any way to get the files off in a useful format as yet. Allegedly, they encode streams with multiple bitrates into a single file in a proprietary format.

silvarios wrote: There is supposed to be support for archiving functionality through the web interface coming in a future software update.

If they do that, it greatly increases the value of the device.

...

I've ordered one of the boxes, myself. I have a Mini hooked up to my TV and suspect that it won't be a significant burden to manage the device and play video via web browser on the Mini.

[silvarios]

Chakravartin wrote:
[quote=silvarios]
I would think the files can be moved to the Mac if you disconnect the external drive from the Simple.tv and then connect to the Mac.

It doesn't look like there's any way to get the files off in a useful format as yet. Allegedly, they encode streams with multiple bitrates into a single file in a proprietary format.
Hmmm. Looks like you are right about the Mac compatibility. Found a discussion from last year that mentions Simple.TV formats the drive as JFS.

This link mentions the files are h.264 encoded wrapped up as an HLS stream. That earlier disussion mentioned the videos were compatible with the poster's Linux box. Seems interesting.

Chakravartin wrote: [quote=silvarios]There is supposed to be support for archiving functionality through the web interface coming in a future software update.

If they do that, it greatly increases the value of the device.
Yep.

[Article Accelerator]

silvarios wrote:
Woot has the Simple.TV network DVR for $99, pricing includes lifetime premier service…I'm not sure a single tuner OTA/clear QAM only network DVR is right for all users, but I figured the price was decent given its features and the ease of use seemed better than most roll your own network DVR options…

Probably true, but I love the combination we use—a dual tuner HomeRun HD network tuner combined with EyeTV. My computer is located in the same room as our HDTV so we just AirPlay EyeTV recordings to the HDTV-connected Apple TV. We control EyeTV from the couch using the Mac's Bluetooth keyboard. Playback is in full original HD quality, no conversion step required.

[silvarios]

Article Accelerator wrote:
Probably true, but I love the combination we use—a dual tuner HomeRun HD network tuner combined with EyeTV. My computer is located in the same room as our HDTV so we just AirPlay EyeTV recordings to the HDTV-connected Apple TV. We control EyeTV from the couch using the Mac's Bluetooth keyboard. Playback is in full original HD quality, no conversion step required.

Seems like a credible setup in general, but would be a complete disaster for my mom. She never got the hang of needing to use a computer in conjunction with a set-top box. Throw in the need for a Bluetooth keyboard and push via AirPlay? Good luck walking my mom through that set up.

Dual tuner would be a nice option.

[silvarios]

AA,
Just to clarify, I don't think there's a conversion step on the Simple.TV either. At heart, it's just h.264. HLS streaming is an Apple invented technology in fact and is used for streaming media from a web server.

https://developer.apple.com/streaming/
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/HTTP_Live_Streaming

[Chakravartin]

silvarios wrote:
AA,
Just to clarify, I don't think there's a conversion step on the Simple.TV either. At heart, it's just h.264. HLS streaming is an Apple invented technology in fact and is used for streaming media from a web server...

Confirmed that it's HLS:
http://support.simple.tv/customer/portal...ple-tv-use-

HLS streams use a "manifest" file with a .M3U8 extension... Looks like that'll open in the QuickTime Player.

So, the big lingering problem is accessing the JFS file system... Maybe put Ubuntu on a VM and use it to access the files via a shared folder or flash drive.

[silvarios]

Chakravartin wrote:
So, the big lingering problem is accessing the JFS file system... Maybe put Ubuntu on a VM and use it to access the files via a shared folder or flash drive.

I plan to solve the problem by using a Linux system to get the files out. I can transfer them to my mom's Mac from there. Your plan seems like it should work fine and doesn't require a second system.

[Chakravartin]

I just downloaded the Parallels Ubuntu VM, updated it and installed jfsutils... I have shared folder support in the VM with Parallels Tools, so there's a good chance that I can copy the files to a Mac HD via drag-drop from within the VM.

Can hardly wait to try it!

[silvarios]

gulzarbegum wrote:
I would prefer using LG tv. which is $199 and it's simple.

Which product?