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How do I stream HDPVR recordings directly to my PS3?

You don’t need to burn your HDPVR recordings to DVD just to play them back on the PS3. Why don’t you take your carbon footprint down a notch and stream the files directly to your PS3 using Universal Plug and Play / AV (UPnP / AV)?

OK, how does this work exactly?

It’s pretty simple. You run some UPnP / AV software on your Mac and it announces itself on your home network as a source for Video and Audio files to other UPnP devices, such as the Sony PS3 ( this assumes your PS3 and Mac are connected to the same home network).

Using the PS3 you can navigate your HDPVRCapture recordings and never have to shuffle around with plastic DVD discs ever again!

What options do I have?

A number of commercial UPnP applications for Mac OSX are on the market including TwonkyMedia server ($30) and Null Rivers MediaLink ($20) products. I think Elgato have their own UPnp / AV product too, eyeConnect ($50) If you want something fast and easy then try downloading their demos and see if they suit your needs.

If like me you prefer to keeps the costs down then why not investigate MediaTomb ($0 cost), a free and Open Source UPnP. The problem is — it’s a little tricky to get it running, you have to compile it, get the right tools, yada yada… If you’re not a developer or don’t like using Terminal then your out of luck.

However, a number of HDPVRCapture customers have asked about getting MediaTomb running on their Mac so I thought it was worthwhile spending a few hours putting together a pre-configured build, specially built to support HDPVRCature without any complications. I’ve tidied up the UI a little and turned it into a real Application with a Launchable icon, making it run easily with a double click (no Terminal voodoo), standardized the configuration file and properly integrated it with the Mac. It’s pretty easy to use now Yeaaaay!

Thus, HDPVRStreamer application was born!

What is HDPVRStreamer?

HDPVRStreamer is a complementary application to HDPVRCapture. While your HDPVR is busy capturing TV shows HDPVRStreamer will stream your recordings over UPnP to any compatible device. In my case, to my PS3.

HDPVRStreamer differs from other commercial UPnP / AV solutions because:

1. It’s based on a GPL project (MediaTomb).
2. I always offer great support to all of my paying customers.
3. It’s cheaper than all of the other commercial products, it’s donation-ware. It’s an upgrade everyone can afford. Send me a donation, send whatever you like. This is an experiment.

HDPVRStreamer is capable of streaming other kinds of recordings too, not just HDPVRCapture recordings. Try it for free, keep it forever.

HDPVRStreamer is a Universal Binary but only supports 10.5 onwards, sorry – no support for 10.4. With 10.6 Snow Leopard likely to be release mid 2009, please don’t ask for 10.4 support. 
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OK, HDPVRStreamer sounds great – How do I get it?

Simple, download v1.0.0 here.

Use it forever, or if you don’t like it then drop it in the trash and you haven’t lost anything.

If you do like it or even if you’d like me to stick around and answer a few of your questions (or fix bugs) then perhaps you could send me a donation:

Thank you. I hope you enjoy HDPVRStreamer.

Installation

To install, navigate to the downloaded zip file in finder then double click to unpack it. This will extract the HDPVRStreamer application. Now drag/drop the HDPVRStreamer application into Finder / Applications folder. NOTICE: HDPVRStreamer will not work unless it runs from /Applications.

Now, when you run HDPVRStreamer from Finder / Applications, the icon will appear briefly in the OSX Dock then disappear, this is normal. Safari will open and you will be presented with the MediaTomb web configuration pages. Your done!

At this point any videos in your home Movies folder are now viewable using the PS3. Simply close the webpage (or bookmark) and whenever HDPVRCapture makes a new recording into the Movies folder it will automatically be viewable on your PS3.

If you’d prefer to use HDPVRStreamer without donating, but you want further help then the MediaTomb team have documentation available at their website, here.

Again, thank you and I hope you enjoy HDPVRStreamer.