TV on X51 without WiFi. (Download episodes while docked)?

AudiA6Quattro · 09-20-06, 12:26 PM

What I want to do is very simple, however, I cannot seem to find a solution to this anywhere. So here goes:

I want to be able to dock my X51, have it download TV shows/video or any media I choose while it's docked, and then have these available offline. I see all these 'streaming live tv' services, and this is definetely worth paying monthly for, but everyone of them says they require a wifi connection to use. I want to download these shows or whatever media I want to the PDA while it's docked/connected with ActiveSync, and then have these available when I undock it.

Just as an example, and keep in mind this is JUST an example:
I want to subscribe to let's say... Good Morning America. I come home from work... I dock my X51, I wake up in the morning and HEY! Look at that... there is a new episode of Good Morning America waiting for me to watch on my long.. WiFi-less commute to work.

Is this really that complicated? Why can't I find anything that will do this seemingly simple task?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks

axzilla · 09-20-06, 02:56 PM

Why not get a card reader and a memory card and load the files you want to the card then insert card into the ax and away you go and it will be much faster than active stink.

DaLabrador · 09-20-06, 03:22 PM

Yep. A card reader is excellent. I haven't synced with Activestink for about 6 months, and I assure you that I'm a happier person for it.
Your only problem is to snatch the feeds to harddrive/memory card in reader/Activestink connected pda, and that depends on what kind of feed you're after. Be specific. Give us links.

AudiA6Quattro · 09-20-06, 08:07 PM

Originally Posted by DaLabrador

Yep. A card reader is excellent. I haven't synced with Activestink for about 6 months, and I assure you that I'm a happier person for it.
Your only problem is to snatch the feeds to harddrive/memory card in reader/Activestink connected pda, and that depends on what kind of feed you're after. Be specific. Give us links.

I realize I can use the card in a card reader and put the card back in the PDA. This is not the issue. My question is where can I get the content to view on the PDA? I just something that let's me subscribe to a "channel" or whatever, and automatically downloads new videos (whatever they may be, tv shows, news). I would prefer they be PDA ready videos too... but I don't even care about that if I can't get it.

The root of my question is: Where can I find a service or piece of software that allows me to specify a set of "channels" I want to watch. And then periodically downloads appropriate updated content or videos every day.

kripkee · 09-20-06, 08:28 PM

Take a look at WinTV from Hauppauge. It is a video card that goes in your PC and allows your PC to tune in and display video signals. It comes with a Scheduler which allow it to record scheduled shows. It also works with a software package called SnapStream PVS that can be used to record videos. I have successfully recorded videos using WinTV. I convert them to an appropriate format for the Axim using Windows Movie Maker and then transfer the resulting video to my SD card.

This is a somewhat cumbersome process, not really suitable for following a show regularly. It works for special videos that I want to preserve and view repeatedly.

Bosadabiz · 09-20-06, 10:19 PM

I also use Hauppauge

player911 · 09-20-06, 10:34 PM

I don't think there is a subscription or a place where you could download / update shows.

For example. You can't have just sync up to watch the new episode of the simpsons. The above process would allow you to record it as it plays on TV, then convert it and copy it then play it.

It would be nice if TV stations would allow RSS feeds of their shows. But you can't update TV shows like RSS Feeds.

I don't know if there is a single program that would simplify this process and do it automatically. I guess it could be done. Like a DVR that converts it to a PPC resolution and send it to your axim.

To start you would need the Hauppauge WinTV card and programs to record it. Maybe there is a hack to automatically record it at the desired resolution and output it to a single folder to which could be synced during the night hours while we sleep. Thus allowing us to wake up and have our shows recorded, converted, saved and transferred automatically.

Sounds like a good plan. Maybe someone could disect the WinTV programs and reengineer it to make an all-in-one program. Maybe they already make it.

09-21-06, 04:20 PM

Originally Posted by player911

It would be nice if TV stations would allow RSS feeds of their shows. But you can't update TV shows like RSS Feeds.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcatching

Quote:

Today, most broadcatching is done using RSS and BitTorrent technology.

Of course, you'll have to consider legality issues, but if you find a legit RSS+BT feed, and combine that with a sync folder, there's what you're looking for.

redeyeksc · 09-21-06, 04:35 PM

I have xp media centre addition and record my shows from tv u can set u're ax to sync that folder everytime u dock it and whalla as long as u have coremedia player u can watch anything

Forgot to mention with the record function on media centre u do have the ability to pick the quality of recording to limit the size....just a thought

erlingt · 09-22-06, 05:29 AM

You can record direct to a memory card, look at these:
http://www.neurosaudio.com/
http://www.sandisk.com/Corporate/Pre...e.aspx?ID=3524

AudiA6Quattro · 09-24-06, 04:29 PM

Thanks for your help everyone... I am looking into the posted links right now... as far as the TV card.. I figured that was one possible solution... However, I don't have cable. The reason I don't have cable is because I am never home to watch the few shows I even like, hence why I want to just be able to get those on the go with the PDA somehow. I'll see what I can come up with. If I somehow run into an amazing solution to this I'll be sure to let everyone know.

-Thanks :)

AudiA6Quattro · 09-24-06, 04:48 PM

Originally Posted by Lat

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadcatching

Of course, you'll have to consider legality issues, but if you find a legit RSS+BT feed, and combine that with a sync folder, there's what you're looking for.

You, sir... are my hero :approve:

Pretty much exactly what I wanted

09-24-06, 09:52 PM

Glad I could help

(whoa, nobody has ever called me a hero before =P)

player911 · 09-25-06, 10:45 AM

What should be setup is actually 2 folders, One for recorded video, and a second for converted video set for our axims.

If a program can automatically record shows and save them in a folder (Folder One), then you can have another program which checks that folder for any new additions, converts it, saves it into another folder (Folder Two), then deletes the original.

Then you can sync your converted folder (Folder Two) to your Axim regularly via Activesync or wirelessly by fetching your network path (file:\\192.168.1.3\Folder2\)

I honestly think someone could make such a program (that does all this automatically) and sell it. I'd do it if I wasn't so lazy.