Hauppauge MediaMVP

The Hauppauge MediaMVP is a network media player. It consists of a hardware unit with remote control, along with software for a Windows PC. Out of the box, it is capable of playing video and audio, displaying pictures, and "tuning in" to Internet radio stations. Alternative software is also available to extend its capabilities. It can be used as a front end for various PVR projects.

The MediaMVP is popular with some PVR enthusiasts because it's inexpensive and relatively easy to modify.

Capabilities

The MediaMVP can stream audio and video content from a host PC running Windows. It can display photos stored on the host PC. It can stream Internet radio via the host PC as well. It can display live TV with full PVR features with SageTV PVR software for Windows or Linux.

The capabilities listed below refer to the official software and firmware supplied by Hauppauge.

Video

The MediaMVP supports the MPEG (MPEG-1 and MPEG-2) video format and only that format. It does support AVI and DIVX files. The PVR software seamlessly converts video files to MPEG and sends it to the MediaMVP, although re-encoding video in this manner can tax some slower computers.

Audio

Supported audio file formats include MP3 and WMA. Playlist formats supported include M3U, PLS, ASX and B4S.

Photos

Supported image file formats include JPG and GIF.

Slideshows are supported. Listening to music (including streaming Internet radio) during slideshows is supported as well.

Internet Radio

Supports streaming Internet radio stations via the host PC.

Other Capabilities

Can schedule recording of television broadcasts when using a Hauppauge WinTV TV tuner card with the Hauppauge WinTV recording software.

Hardware

The MediaMVP hardware consists of a small set-top box and an infrared remote control. It can be oriented either horizontally or vertically (using a supplied base). It's normally operated via the supplied remote control. Behind the unit's red translucent front panel is a single red LED. The LED is used as a power indicator, and also flashes when the unit's remote control is used.

Connectivity

The rear of the MediaMVP unit has a plug for 6VDC power, an Ethernet port, S-Video out, composite video out, and stereo audio out.

Processor, RAM, and Firmware

The MediaMVP uses the IBM STB02500, a PowerPC 405 CPU integrated with functionality especially suited for use in set-top boxes.

The unit has 16MB of SDRAM.

It runs on Linux-based firmware. Hauppauge has delivered enhancements and new functionality to the MediaMVP from time to time by releasing updated firwmare. Firmware updates are delivered to the device when it is powered up.

Hacks

There are several hardware hacks of the MediaMVP box. Among others, there are hacks for adding S/PDIF optical output, a RS-232 serial port, and additional RAM. See the mvpmc hardware howto for more details on various modifications, as well as this thread at the SHSPVR forums.

Serial Port

The serial port hack allows a serial console to be attached to the MediaMVP. This is useful for debugging modifications to the Linux-based firmware.

Using the serial port hack and modifications to the unit's Linux-based firmware, it is possible to add a small external display (e.g. a LCD or a VFD display) to show status information (song title, for example).

Alternative Software and Firmware

SageTV Media Center - Connect other TVs to SageTV PVR, enables live TV viewing
MVPServer - MediaMVP server software - Screenshots
MediaMVP Media Center (mvpmc) - MediaMVP server software - Screenshots
SHSPVR MediaMVP & WinTV PVR forums - Discussions about the MediaMVP and WinTV PVR products
GB-PVR - PVR software that can use a MediaMVP as a front end
VDR on MVP (vomp) - a front end to VDR for the MediaMVP
MediaMVP BTV Interface - Full featured PVR/Media center using Beyond TV Software and MedaiMVP