PVR

2015-07-14T20:46:42Z

Bhamail: minor typo

{{:PVR/Contents}}
{{mininav|[[Video library]] {{l2|[[Live TV]] }} }}
{{big|'''Introduction:'''}}<br />

<section begin="intro" />{{Kodi}} features powerful [[Live TV]] and [[wikipedia:Digital video recorder|video recording (DVR/PVR)]] abilities using a very flexible [[wikipedia:distributed application|distributed application structure]]. That is, by levering other existing third-party [[PVR backend]] applications or [[PVR backend|DVR devices]] that specialize in receiving television signals and and also support the same type of [[wikipedia:client–server model|client–server model]] which {{Kodi}} uses, (following a [[wikipedia:Front and back ends|frontend-backend]] design principle for [[wikipedia:Separation of concerns|separation of concerns]]), these PVR features in Kodi allows you to watch Live TV, listen to radio, view a EPG TV-Guide, schedule recordings and enables many other TV related features, all using {{Kodi}} as your primary interface once the initial pairing connection and configuration have been done.<section end="intro" />

As of 2013 with the introduction of version 12 (Frodo), and due to the somewhat complicated nature of initially setting up PVR for {{Kodi}} for the first time, this guide was created to help users from start to finish.

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== How does Live TV and PVR work in {{Kodi}}? ==
First of all, an important terminology clarification in regards to this article is needed, as when we refer to "Live TV" here we are only talking about traditional [[wikipedia:Broadcast television systems|broadcast television systems]] using standard [[wikipedia:Digital television|digital television]] or [[wikipedia:Analog television|analog television]]. This means that the Live TV reception comes foremost from [[wikipedia:Terrestrial television|terrestrial television]] signals using cable, sattelite, or over-the-air television using television tuner adapter or device hardware, (not [[wikipedia:Streaming media|streaming media]] content from the internet via online services or web sites such as Netflix and similar).

Logically, the Live TV and PVR functions in {{Kodi}} uses a [[wikipedia:distributed application|distributed application structure]] that is designed after the [[wikipedia:client–server model|client–server model]] concept which consists of two parts, these two parts are also refereed to as [[wikipedia:Front and back ends|frontend and backend]]:
# The PVR '''backend''' (as the server side part), which communicates with a TV tuner adapter(s) to receive the Live TV signals and create a video or audio stream, and
# The PVR '''client''' (as an addon for {{Kodi}}) - an {{Kodi}} addon which controls the presentation of that content via the {{Kodi}} GUI that acts as unified frontend and common interface for all connected PVR backends.

This concept follows a [[wikipedia:Separation of concerns|separation of concerns]] design principle, with the "'''PVR backend'''" as such being a separate application/process that directly interfaces with your TV tuner adapter(s) and the performs the task of tuning, streaming, and recording over-the-air and cable television signals and radio programming. PVR backends can either run on the same host running {{Kodi}}, or on a stand-alone host/device completely by itself with {{Kodi}} only running when needed, as long as they have a network connection between them. Kodi as a frontend can support multiple PVR backends at the same time, and also some PVR backends may be able to serve several clients simultaneously. It may be that PVR backends support only {{Kodi}} clients as a frontend for it, but most PVR backends can both Kodi as well as other frontend applications/devices. In those cases where a single PVR backend it setup for the sole purpose of serving multiple frontend clients then that PVR backend is commonly refereed to as "'''PVR server'''".

When paired with one or more matched PVR backends, a configured '''PVR client addon''' enables {{Kodi}} to handle the GUI interface, or frontend, allowing the user to watch Live TV (with pause/time-shift, if supported by the PVR backend used), display a graphical EPG (Electronic Program Guide) of all available television programming, schedule recordings or listen to radio, giving the same sort of functionality as TiVo-style video recorder devices.

{{next|[[PVR backend|Setting up the backend software]]}}

== Alternative guides ==
* [http://lifehacker.com/5981757/how-to-watch-and-record-live-tv-on-your-xbmc-media-center Lifehacker's excellent Live TV guide for XBMC v12]
* [http://montgomery1.com/htpc/ Montgomery One's PVR guide]

{{Helix updated}}
{{DISPLAYTITLE:Live TV and PVR/DVR Setup Guide}}

[[Category:How-to]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:PVR|*]]
[[Category:Manual]]
[[Category:Live TV]]
[[Category:Guides]]
[[Category:Quick Start Guide]]
[[Category:First time user]]

Official Kodi Wiki - User contributions [en]

PVR