PVR

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As of v12 (Frodo), XBMC supports Personal Video Recorder (PVR) controls and features when paired with a PVR "backend". This allows you to watch live TV, listen to radio, view an EPG, schedule recordings and enables many other TV related features.

A PVR backend is a second process/application that performs the task of tuning and recording over-the-air and cable television programming, as well as radio. The PVR backend can either run on the same machine running XBMC, on a stand-alone device (able to feed several XBMC machines), or completely by itself with XBMC only running when needed. When paired with a backend, XBMC handles the interface, or frontend, allowing the user to watch live TV, scheduled recordings, time shift (not yet supported), etc.

Due to the somewhat complicated nature of setting up PVR for XBMC, this guide was created to help users from start to finish. At least until Frodo is officially released, this guide should be considered a work in progress with potentially large gaps.

Where is your TV coming from?

Selecting the backend software

Name	DVB	ATSC / QAM	ISDB	DTMB	CableCard (US)	IPTV	Recording	TimeShift	Radio
Tvheadend	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
VDR	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
For The Record	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
MythTV	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
MediaPortal	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
DVBLink	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
VUPlus	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?
NextPVR	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?	?

Notes

Configuring XBMC

See: PVR/XBMC

Using Live TV and PVR

See: PVR/Usage

PVR FAQ

See: PVR/FAQ

Testing

Testing PVR before Frodo final (this section won't be needed in the final version, more or less)

See: PVR/Testing