Whole House DVR/HTPC Setup

It is not possible to watch copy once protected content in XBMC, and it probably won't ever be. The only way to watch copy once protected content is Windows Media Center. You can use multiple HTPCs with the HDHomerun Prime, just keep in mind that if you record something on one HTPC, it won't be watchable on another HTPC (again, just talking about copy once content). Also, recording schedules are not shared across multiple WMC machines. So say for instance you like watching Breaking Bad and wanted to be able to watch it on any TV in the house, you would need to set it to record on every single HTPC.

That whole setup is extremely messy IMO, and not worth the effort. A much better option is to use one HTPC, and then use WMC extenders like the Xbox 360 for all the other TVs. WMC extenders are completely immune from all copy once protection, and changes to the recording schedule are reflected on the HTPC and all of its extenders. You also only need to worry about having hard drive space for your DVR at one location (the HTPC).

Unfortunately extenders, while perfect for live TV and DVR, have limitations when it comes to personal media. For instance, the Xbox 360 can't handle a 20+ mb/s blu-ray rip.

Btw there is one workaround for copy once, and that's using one of these. Unfortunately, you need one of those cards AND one cable box for each tuner (so if you want to be able to record two things at once while watching something else, you'll need to rent three cable boxes and have a tuner for each). Also not worth it IMO, but if you really want an HTPC you can go that route. I don't personally have much experience with those things though.
Edited by lockdown571 - 2/2/13 at 7:01am

How's a banned Xbox going to get you copy once content?

They still work as extenders when banned.

I know what your talking about. I believe so, but I don't have a 360 to try first hand. So I can't say definitively.

Thanks for the awesome idea of buying a banned console. Never thought of that. I never play games and get anything off xbox live

Linksys DMAs play DIVX, and XVID natively.

I have WMC on my HTPC and my Bedroom PC. Sure, the copy once has occurred. I don't see it as a major issue since most of the content doesn't restrict viewing! And, it's rare I set up a recording in the bedroom... I just add it to the HTPC next it's on. Just my solution.

I use XBMC as my front end and share via UPNP to 2 WD Live TV streamers. The XBMC does all the heavy lifting, sorting, etc and the WD Live Streamers just connect to it. WD does not have the most elegant interface in the world but w/ XBMC's sorting it is all accessible as well as netflix. I am not sure about .wtv support on a WD TV, though the files are so large you'd be better of using MCEBuddy (or another tool) to encode your WMC recordings to another smaller file with a compatible codec anyway.