Setting up DVR

Setting up a DVR on a Plex server (nothing else on it…my main server runs elsewhere). Bought a HDHomeRun and an antenna. No problems setting it up.

First issue I encountered is that the recorded files are way too big and require transcoding to watch. Result is constant buffering. Did some research and settled on using MCEBuddy running on that computer. Had to do some experimenting on that. (Figured out that commercial removal was not a good idea).

Finally got it all running and recorded a half hour test program. came in at 3.5 gig (yikes). Left it for MCEBuddy to do its thing (don’t really care…since I am not going to be watching recorded stuff for at least a couple days anyway). Checked later and the file was 1/10th that size, the original was gone, and the program showed up as new on the various media player apps. Ran perfectly with no buffering. Quality was acceptable.

Went to delete it from within the Plex app and got an error deleting the item. Had to manually do it and reset the library. I am guessing that this has something to do with the fact that Plex insists on the tuner storing the file in a monitored library directory? This then populates in the app as an available (albeit unwatchable) file. Later, after MCEBuddy has created a new file and removed the old one, is when the app gets confused as to what it is/was pointing at?

Ideally, it would be nice if the ‘raw’ files (before processing) could be stored somewhere so that the Plex would not be tempted to add them and MCEBuddy could then store the new file somewhere where Plex would add the file, while quietly deleting the raw file.

That does not seem doable at the moment, so what is the best way to set this up? Should the tuner and MCEbuddy be storing in the same directory? (That is what I did)

yes raw recordings are .ts uncompressed MPEG2VIDEO files which is how it comes straight off the tuner.

What client are you using to play this back? I use Samsung TVs, Laptops, android phone, roku and they all seem to be able to play back these files and I have commercial removal setup for most recordings.

I believe you can setup some post processing script to run stuff on recordings before adding to the library if you want.

I like the “before adding to the library bit” . Exactly what I am after.

MCEBuddy was attractive in that I would not have to figure out some ridiculously complicated script, but that may be unavoidable.

scratch that. Just spent 20 minutes reading an endless discussion on how to get a script to work. This is a headache I don’t need.

Thanks for this thread. I’m a longtime holder of a Plex Pass LIfetime but only recently returned to running a Plex Server after several years. I was mostly prompted by a need for OTA viewing and dvr functions.

I’ve purchased a used HDHR Extend for tuner functions. At the moment, I’m still testing it and it’s internal transcoding. This might be an option for you, as the transcoding is in this device and would be saved based on the setting you pick.