Virgin Media Box into PC ? ? ? ?

[RTTC]

Is it possible to get a Virgin Media Set Top Box (Samsung SMT-2110C) linked to a PC?
(instead of the TV)
There is RF out or scart from the set top box.

The PC's 2xDVI graphics card (NVidia GE Force 7900GS) has an S video socket - can that be used?

or will I need a separate PCI card?

I'm happy to use the Virgin Remote to change channels although would prefer using gbpvr!

[herbs]

You need a capture card something like pvr150 and an ir blaster to control it through the pc. I did this with a mce remote and a hauppauge pvr usb2. Then you need a programme such as hip to send the ir signals to the samsung 2110c, the crux though is the samsung uses a funny method for key presses in that it doesn't repeat the same signal for two presses of buttons, I think its called toggle codes.
You could get a dvb-c card and a cam but I believe this is not easy to set up and breaks virgins T&C.

[RTTC]

Hi herbs - thanks for your reply.

Would it be connecting the rf out from the Virgin box into the rf in of the pvr 150?

Can I get started without an rf blaster - if I use the Virgin remote?

[martint123]

Certainly, for a first step, either RF or Composite from the box to the tuner will work fine.
You don't get half the features of gbpvr until you get the blaster working though. That becomes step two I guess.

I suspect the s-video on your card might be an output rather than an input.
RF or composite are fairly similar in quality for me - I use RF with my Sky box as the IR blaster can go back down the RF cable to the box (and my server is two floors away).

The PVR150 is a good and well supported card on here.
Have fun!

Martin

[herbs]

I dont think the virgin cable box has rf modulator so you are only likely to get few basic channels (at most) from a rf source. Yes if you used the cable remote to change channels you would not need an ir blaster but what about if you schedule a recording on sky 1 at 2am then a recording on sci-fi at 3am, who or what will switch the channels for you? for the sake of £20 for a remote and blaster (and maybe 1-2 hours config to set it up) is it worth the headache. I got my mce remote and blaster from ebuyer I think for approx £15 a few years ago.

[munkman]

what did u go with in the end, i have the exact same problem, but i could connect it to my monitor via HDMI but the samsun smt 2110c does not have hdmi out put... i'm looking for a solution!