Month: February 2020

Another Update on My NextPVR System

Way back in April of last year, I told you about getting Verizon FiOS and setting up a NextPVR server and a Kodi client on a Raspberry Pi. I never did get that timeshifting problem fixed. It works when using NextPVR on the server, but crashes on the Raspberry Pi Kodi client. I think it has to do with the TV tuner I’m using. It’s a Ceton InfiniTV 4 PCI. It’s an old tuner that uses some proprietary system to interact with recording software. Because of that, it’s only compatible with Windows Media Center (RIP 😥) and NextPVR. I’d really prefer to use an HD Homerun device with a Linux based server, but they aren’t selling any cable card tuners right now. Anyways, I think that Ceton driver junk is hampering the timeshifting.

Since I’ve been back at school, I’ve been noticing the enormous number of Lenovo business computers around campus. A light bulb lit up in my head the other day. Why not replace the Raspberry Pi with a tiny Lenovo running Windows? So I did. I bought a decommissioned M72e Tiny from eBay for about $20. It’s a tiny computer, as the name implies. It’s about the size of a typical hardcover book. The listing said it worked before it was pulled from service, but functionality wasn’t guaranteed. Turns out it works perfectly.

For my $22.50, I think I got a pretty good computer. It’s got a Core i3 3220T it’s a dual core with hyperthreading running at 2.8GHz. I added 8 GB of memory I had laying around and an older 120 GB SSD. I also applied some new thermal paste to the CPU cooler for good measure. I’m really impressed with the performance. Even though it’s nine-years-old, it boots up in seconds. If I didn’t need a more powerful computer for gaming, I’d be very happy to use it as my normal desktop computer. It has one small fan, versus the Raspberry Pi’s fanless design, so it’s a tad louder than I’d like. I’m going to see if switching some BIOS settings helps that.

As for software, I installed Windows 10 and Kodi. Timeshifting works perfectly, so I’d call this mission accomplished. I ordered a used wifi card to add AC wifi and Bluetooth to the machine. I’ll install Steam so we can stream games from the living room or office into the bedroom and use a PS4 controller to play.

So I’ve got my first job working on my own schedule. It’s for my wife’s sister, so I’m not sure if it really counts, but I’m getting paid for it. I had to buy some new tools for it, so that’s fun. They should be here in the next day or two. I should still be making about $300 on it even with that expense. I set up some invoice software to keep track of everything, which makes me feel pretty businessy.

I’ve been in contact with a few other potential customers, which seem promising. I’m waiting for the weather to improve in the middle of the next week to see where things go. I haven’t had as much trouble getting responses to my ad as I expected. My goal is to bill 10 hours per week. I’m charging $60 per hour, so I’d be making $600 in labor. Profit on parts would probably work out to a similar level per week. If this takes off like I’m hoping, I should be in decent financial shape.

Changes

Since I last posed, there have been some changes in my life.

First, I lost my job in November. The owner of the company decided he wanted to sell the building, and told everyone to not come in the next Monday. Probably not the best way to end things. I wasn’t out of work for long though.

The owner of the place next door (who rents his space from the owner referenced above) needed an extra hand, and I needed money, so it was hard to say no. He has been looking to buy a bigger place, and he finally settled on something. He agreed with his landlord that he’d be moved out by March 30. The landlord broke that agreement, and now the move-out date is February 28. So I will be once again out of work.

Hopefully not for too long though. With some encouragement from my current boss, I’ve decided to start a mobile mechanic business. If all goes well, people will contact me for an appointment and I’ll go fix their car at their place and get paid for it. I’m charging $60 per hour, which is low when compared to most independent mechanic shops in the area. I’m hoping to keep myself busy with work for 10 hours per week. I’d be making $600 for my labor, plus some markup on parts. Here’s my Facebook page if you’re interested.

In January, I started going back to college. I’m going to get a two-year degree in computer information systems. I think eventually I’d like to be a systems analyst. This subject is something I’m already interested in, and thankfully doesn’t require me to take any math courses. So in a couple years I should have a real job that pays me a decent amount of money.

So that’s it. I’m hoping my mobile mechanic thing takes off so I can make some money to pay for college and other things. I’d really like to do some photography in the next few weeks. It’s been a long time since I’ve gone out for some picture taking.