Newbie digital cable question

[AaronYoq]

First off, I would like to apologize for my ignorance. I read through as many posts about digital cable as I could find, but I'm still unclear on this subject.

I am getting digital cable (not HD) from Charter. I have the digital box. Can I use GB-PVR with this setup and still record the premium channels? If I can, can I also set it up so that I can record a show while I'm watching a show (2 tuner setup ) with only one digital box?

If I cannot use the digital box, I'll still get regular analog cable through the cable outlets correct? And maybe my PVR setup just won't be able to access the premium channels?

I don't have a very good understanding of how the cable system works. I've had satellite for the past few years with a Tivo system, but I'm excited about building my own system now with GB-PVR.

One last question, will GB-PVR play DivX movies? I thought I read a post that said it did, but I thought I would check. I have about 250 DivX movies that I would like to be a part of my home entertainment system. EDIT: Also, if it does play DivX, will it play Xvid?

Thank you,
Aaron

[sub]

I am getting digital cable (not HD) from Charter. I have the digital box. Can I use GB-PVR with this setup and still record the premium channels? If I can, can I also set it up so that I can record a show while I'm watching a show (2 tuner setup ) with only one digital box?

To view a digital only channel, the digital cable box must be tuned to that channel, and its svideo/composite/coax connection must be connected to your capture card.

If you wanted to record two of these channels (or watch one record another) you'd need two digital cable boxes.

If I cannot use the digital box, I'll still get regular analog cable through the cable outlets correct?

It depends on your cable network. Some networks only transmit digital channels.

One last question, will GB-PVR play DivX movies? I thought I read a post that said it did, but I thought I would check. I have about 250 DivX movies that I would like to be a part of my home entertainment system. EDIT: Also, if it does play DivX, will it play Xvid?

Yes, but you'll need an appropriate decoder installed.

[AaronYoq]

To view a digital only channel, the digital cable box must be tuned to that channel, and its svideo/composite/coax connection must be connected to your capture card.

If I did this, I would not be able to schedule the GB-PVR to record a channel that I'm not on, correct? I would have to manually change to the channel it has to record?

Also, do I need a special tuner? I've heard the PVR-150 and 500 called analog cards, does that matter? I'm thinking it wouldn't since the decoded channel would be sent to the tuner, but I might as well ask.

I checked, and I'll still be able to get analog if I need it, so it isn't an end-all if I can't go digital.

[soccerdad]

If I did this, I would not be able to schedule the GB-PVR to record a channel that I'm not on, correct? I would have to manually change to the channel it has to record?

Typically people use some kind of remote channel changing of the set top box. Usually it is an IR blaster. The PVR150 (non mce) version comes with an IR blaster that works with many cable boxes. You can schedule the show on GBPVR and the program can send IR signals to the cable box to change the channel to the correct show. You can set it up for you capture card to use the cable box for digital channels and use the capture card tuner to record the non-digital shows. This allows you to use your cable box while you are recording non-digital shows. There are lots of ways to set it up. Keep searching and ask. I am sure you will find something that works for you. Welcome.

[sub]

If I did this, I would not be able to schedule the GB-PVR to record a channel that I'm not on, correct?

Correct.

I would have to manually change to the channel it has to record?

You can use an IR Blaster to do it automatically for you.

Also, do I need a special tuner? I've heard the PVR-150 and 500 called analog cards, does that matter? I'm thinking it wouldn't since the decoded channel would be sent to the tuner, but I might as well ask.

There are digital cable card for outside the US, but nothing for the US.

[AaronYoq]

Thank you both very much.