MVP and HD

[beefmasterj]

I'm thinking about getting a HD capture card, but was first wondering ..

Is is possable to play back OTA HD content recorded using the new 0.93.10 over the MVP?

Obviously I know the MVP doesn't support displaying in HD, but is it even able to handle the higher resolution / higher bitrate files generated by recording / viewing HD. I guess on the same note, the network speed could also be a limiting factor depending on the size of the files ?

Thanks!

[sub]

No, its not possible to play HD content on the MVP. It barfs with these files.

[Pioneer4x4]

Can HDTV be reencoded into standard mpeg2 for DVD or MVP viewing? I am totally clueless when it comes to HDTV. I have seen XVid files of TV shows recorded off of HD, and I converted them to DVD and they look awesome. I would like to record HD off of cable, then convert to mpeg2, then watch over MVP or DVDs. What would I need to record the HD off of cable? Preferable via GBPVR.

[sub]

Can HDTV be reencoded into standard mpeg2 for DVD or MVP viewing? I am totally clueless when it comes to HDTV. I have seen XVid files of TV shows recorded off of HD, and I converted them to DVD and they look awesome. I would like to record HD off of cable, then convert to mpeg2, then watch over MVP or DVDs.

I wont be implementing anything like this in GB-PVR, but you could probably roll you own solution using postprocessing.bat and some command line utilities.

These recordings are just standard MPEG2 files, but they are a higher resolution than can be handled by the MVP. Also, the MVP cant handle their AC3 audio track.

What would I need to record the HD off of cable? Preferable via GBPVR.

You'd need a card with BDA drivers that supported QAM, and your broadcaster would need to broadcast 'in the clear' (apparently very rare).

[Pioneer4x4]

These recordings are just standard MPEG2 files, but they are a higher resolution than can be handled by the MVP. Also, the MVP cant handle their AC3 audio track.).

That is what I thought, I can handle that.

You'd need a card with BDA drivers that supported QAM, and your broadcaster would need to broadcast 'in the clear' (apparently very rare).

I have no idea what BDA or QAM, (or even "in the clear") mean, I guess I have some reading to do.
In addition, can I do it from the cable shows, or only via airwaves, or both??

[sub]

I have no idea what BDA or QAM, (or even "in the clear") mean, I guess I have some reading to do.

BDA is just a new-ish standard by microsoft for implementing drivers for digital TV. GB-PVR wont work with any HTDV devices that dont have BDA compliant drivers.

QAM is the way the HDTV data is transmitted on cable, which is different from over the air transmissions. Most HDTV cards are designed for over the air, and arent able to tune in QAM cable transmissions.

Unlike analog cable networks in the USA where channels are broadcast 'in the clear' (not encrypted) and can be easily tuned in with cards like the PVR150/250 etc, digital cable often transmits all channels in an encrypted form meaning that only the supplied Digital Cable box can decrypt the channel. In this case, you wouldnt be able to tune into these signals with your PC, regardless of what card you bought.

In addition, can I do it from the cable shows, or only via airwaves, or both??

Some cards can in theory do both, but only have one arial socket, so its an either/or situation.

[Pioneer4x4]

BDA is just a new-ish standard by microsoft for implementing drivers for digital TV. GB-PVR wont work with any HTDV devices that dont have BDA compliant drivers.

QAM is the way the HDTV data is transmitted on cable, which is different from over the air transmissions. Most HDTV cards are designed for over the air, and arent able to tune in QAM cable transmissions.

Unlike analog cable networks in the USA where channels are broadcast 'in the clear' (not encrypted) and can be easily tuned in with cards like the PVR150/250 etc, digital cable often transmits all channels in an encrypted form meaning that only the supplied Digital Cable box can decrypt the channel. In this case, you wouldnt be able to tune into these signals with your PC, regardless of what card you bought.


Some cards can in theory do both, but only have one arial socket, so its an either/or situation.

Sub, thanks for the quick and dirty low down!
So I have reason to hope.

What I was hoping was a HD card was comparable to a hauppauge 150, with tuner, and a/v input. I could use the tuner for "over the airwaves" stuff, and my cable box does HD (I'm pretty sure, I get audio on the HD channels). So if I could 'tune' with the cable box and capture the video with the card.

I'm content with my non HD TV (36"JVC), and if I could make near DVD files from HD captures I would be very content. I realize that I would have to reencode everything offline before playback on the MVP.

Thanks again, if you could steer me towards a HDtuner capture card that
1)works well with GBPVR
2)cheap (like me....)
3)captures straight video (not tuner) if this is even possible.
I would greatly appreciate it!!!!!

[sub]

Unfortunately you cant really HD capture from a HD cable box. HD signals are typically send from the box to the TV using component video, but there is no capture devices with component video input.

Some users on other projects are using the firewire cable to capture from the HD cable boxes that have firewire ports, but this mechanism is not supported by GB-PVR. Its worth noting that this mechanism only allows you to capture 'in the clear' broadcasts, so cant be used at all with many cable operators, and cant capture premium channels (HBO etc).

To capture HD content in GB-PVR you need to be able to tune it in with your capture devices, whether from 'over the air' broadcasts, or cable broadcasts (using QAM capable BDA capture device).

[Pioneer4x4]

Unfortunately you cant really HD capture from a HD cable box. HD signals are typically send from the box to the TV using component video, but there is no capture devices with component video input.

OK, thanks. So I would be limited to "Over the air", I wonder how I could find out if I could even get a signal where I live.

BTW My cable box only has Video out, I think it tunes in HDTV.

[daphatty]

Pioneer4x4 - Check out my post in this thread. You might find the info useful.