HDTV questions

[Tralik]

I would like to setup GBPVR to record HDTV. It already works with my pvr150 for SD. I have a HD set top box on my TV and I can get the signal. Do I still need another card? I'm assuming the answer is yes since it's digital but wasn't sure.

If so, which of the reasonably priced HD cards have people had a good experience? I looked at an ATI graphics card with HDTV but I'm not sure it will run along side my nVidia 6800 without problems. It was the ATI 650, if I can find one, and was a decent price.

Thanks!

[sub]

The answer depends on where in the world you are, and where that signal comes from (satellite, cable, over the air).

[Tralik]

Sorry about that. In U.S. with OTA signal. Does it change if I'm getting a signal off a Dish Network satellite box? I ask as I plan to do that in the near future but would really like to be able to get both as all our locals are not yet HD off satellite.

I thought I'd start with OTA and eventually plug it into the dish box as well.

Thanks!

[sub]

Sorry about that. In U.S. with OTA signal.

With US OTA, you can use cards like the ATI650 or A180 or a few Dvico Fusion devices etc.

Does it change if I'm getting a signal off a Dish Network satellite box?

Yes it does. Consumer digital cards dont have component/HDMI/DVI inputs, so you cant record from a set top box. Instead it must have the appropriate type of tuner. For example, with OTA you plug the antenna into a card that has a tuner in it - ie, no set top boxes.

There are no official devices that will allow you to record Dish Network...but if you search around you'll find discussions about users using a Twinhan 102g DVB card plus some multidec plugins to directly receive Dish Network services.

[Tralik]

Could I use a modulator box to route the signal over coax into the card? This would at least enable the HD signal from the Dish receiver to reach the card.

Once you get the signal from the Dish box into the card is it essentially the same as taking it from OTA?

Thanks!

[zed]

You will not be able to record the HD signal from your Dish STB (or any other STB, for that matter). The best you can do would be to feed a down-converted signal from the STB into your PVR150 via the svideo or composite inputs. And that assumes that the STB will down-convert it...some can but I don't know anything about Dish STB's. Then what you'll get is an SD version of the HD signal. I do that for OTA HD channels using an OTA HDTV STB that does down-convert. Even tho it's down-converted the picture is MUCH better than anything else I have.

If you want to record HD from Dish the best (and probably only) way to do it would be to get an HD DVR from Dish (I assume they offer one).

Not what you wanted to hear but I'm afraid that's the way it is...

[sub]

Could I use a modulator box to route the signal over coax into the card? This would at least enable the HD signal from the Dish receiver to reach the card.

Once you get the signal from the Dish box into the card is it essentially the same as taking it from OTA?

No it doesnt work like that. The set top box does not output digital transport stream that would needed by OTA card. All the set top box will be outputting is audio/video.

The digital world is very different from the old analog world.

[sub]

You will not be able to record the HD signal from your Dish STB (or any other STB, for that matter). The best you can do would be to feed a down-converted signal from the STB into your PVR150 via the svideo or composite inputs. And that assumes that the STB will down-convert it...some can but I don't know anything about Dish STB's. Then what you'll get is an SD version of the HD signal. I do that for OTA HD channels using an OTA HDTV STB that does down-convert. Even tho it's down-converted the picture is MUCH better than anything else I have.

If you want to record HD from Dish the best (and probably only) way to do it would be to get an HD DVR from Dish (I assume they offer one).

Yes, or look into that multidec plugin method I mentioned above, which does give you the full Dish HD signals.

[mrothwell]

Does that plugin work for DTV as well as Dish?

[sub]

I'm not sure.