I know WiRNS (Windows Replay Network Server) has been out for a while, but I just discovered it. Until now, I've been using Personal ReplayGuide - a set of perl scripts that offer a channel guide and recording options for the ReplayTVs on the local network.

WiRNS offers that and a whole lot more. It's written in .NET (a plus!), so no need for perl to be installed (still need to verify this - I think some of the helper modules might still be perl scripts, and maybe they're magically working since I already have ActivePerl installed).

Update: Add IVSmagic to the mix. Apparently they both can sit between your ReplayTVs and the internet and manage guide data, watch/log traffic, etc. Based on some forum posts (see below), IVSmagic has the advantage that it can receive shows, not just send.

A couple places I've poked around for help on WiRNS:

• Series of "setting up" questions and lots of answers here
  
• WiRNS PlanetReplay forums here
  
• WiRNS screenshots with explanations here
  
• More help on avsforum in the ReplayTV forums

Some notes on getting things up and running:

• Install was pretty painless, just install and use the system tray icon to open the configuration.
  
• Added password for WiRNS config
• Have to use port 80 so that other Replays can stream to the PC (moved local IIS to another port)
• Not obvious: to get PC running WiRNS to show up as a legit IVS device:
• set "secondary web port" on the main config page. This is the (typically) 29000 range port used for IVS communication
• go to Replays page, delete the entry representing the PC WiRNS (wait few mins until it is gone from the page), then rescan.
  
• IVS number should be filled in automagically
  
• Still trying to confirm whether WiRNS PC can receive shows, or only send
• Answer: WiRNS can only SEND shows. Apparently "IVS Magic" can receive shows (and even auto accept!)
  

TO DO List:

• Force Net Connect - this is supported in WiRNS. I'd like to see if I can do that from my hosted site, in the case where my PC is off.
  
• Run WiRNS from a remote site, with remote IP addresses to the Replays? Doubtful, this is an EXE running.
• Look at IVS Magic for accepting IVS transfers.
• Create multiple IP addresses for PC for competing apps on port 80

Posted 10:30 AM    |    0 comments    |    Permalink