View Full Version : MCE connecting to the internet?
jon stallard
12-04-2005, 3:14 PM
To what extent does a MCE2005 HTPC rely on an internet connection for the program guide? Although My machine is not far off it's final resting place (which can be 6 foot under if it doesn't behave) I have yet to connect it to the internet. This is primarily because I am 'between broadband connections' and that little nasty called getting rid of your marker on your phone line by your previous ISP. I can hopefully order my new one tomorrow.
Which also begs the question of which one. I've more or less decided on BTinternet, which to be honest, is because everyone I know from the It world seems to be on it. I had quite fancied Tesco broadband too so do we need a big always on connection?
Any advice gratefully recieved,
Ta,
Jon.
http://bbs.adslguide.org.uk/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=bt
onefivenine
12-04-2005, 10:09 PM
To what extent does a MCE2005 HTPC rely on an internet connection for the program guide?
100% - well my setup anyway - Telewest cable tv via s-video into htpc
I may be wrong - but Mediaportal (and MCE?) may be able to grab listings from a freeview decoder card via RF feed from the broadcast itself.
Somebody out there willing to confirm?
that little nasty called getting rid of your marker on your phone line by your previous ISP.
Excuse my ignorance, I've had Telewest Broadband for about 4 yrs, but what do you mean by 'marker on the phone line'?
Dave_M
13-04-2005, 12:49 AM
MCE2005 can only get EPG information from the web.
If you're 'always on' then you can set it to download the info during the night. With a dial-up you'd need to use the on-demand update and remember to download it once a week or so.
jon stallard
13-04-2005, 7:06 AM
Thanks for the replies. Hopefully get sorted today.
Marker on your phone line refers to an ISP 'claiming' your phone line. In other words, no other ISP can connect their service to it unless:
A/ The existing ISP serves a notification to BT (which is about 10 days after you've managed to persuade them that you don't love them anymore and you want someone elses broadband service)
B/ You can get a MAC code and transfer seamlessly.
B? you must be joking.
Cheers,
Jon.
SimonInd
13-04-2005, 7:52 AM
I'd always recommend freedom2surf as an ISP, 2Mbit/2GB for £14.99/month with a 1 month minimum contract. Used them for about a year, never gone down and a speed test reveals I'm getting the advertised speed ( used to be 1Mbit/s but they recently upgraded the line for free ).
Cheers
Simon
I'd always recommend freedom2surf as an ISP, 2Mbit/2GB for £14.99/month with a 1 month minimum contract. Used them for about a year, never gone down and a speed test reveals I'm getting the advertised speed ( used to be 1Mbit/s but they recently upgraded the line for free ).
Cheers
Simon
Crikey that's cheap :eek:
Oh, just checked it out and there is a download limit,
I am with Pipex, not the cheapest but I think I have had about 3 short downtimes in two years! Customer Service pretty good too, I am getting a free upgrade to 2mb speed and I pay £33.99 per month, no limit.