HVR 1600 Experience Needed

[leatherneck]

I’ve been using GBPVR for a month. Overall, has been working great for me. I’m thinking of upgrading to HVR-1600. I have been reading contradicting information concerning this card. So I’m hoping the experts on this forum can help me. Does this support HDTV or only digital and analog! Support Cable HDTV!

[whurlston]

All HD channels are digital but not all digital channels are HD. Digital stations can be standard or high definition. The HVR supports both digital OTA and unencrypted digital cable channels.

[Anthony]

The HVR-1600 has two tuners.

The analog tuner will let you tune in all the regular stations you are used to viewing (from an antenna or from cable WITHOUT the set top box).

The digital tuner will let you access digital stations using an antenna or via QAM cable.

Digital stations can be in High Definition, or they may be standard definition. For over-the-air broadcasts, a single station will usually transmit a main high definition channel (i.e. 8.1), and one or more standard definition subchannels (i.e. 8.2, 8.3, etc.). Of course, while HD shows are increasing, there's still a lot of standard definition material. So you may still see SD shows on the HD channels (usually shown with black bars on the sides).

However, if you tune an HD channel and they are broadcasting a show in HD, then yes, you can tune/record HD material with the HVR-1600.

As for cable, you'll only be able to tune in unencrypted shows that are available in free QAM. The cable companies don't really advertise what QAM stations they offer, but it's typically just your local broadcast stations (the same ones you get with an antenna), plus maybe two or three additional channels. You won't be able to tune in any stations that are encrypted.

Also, the HVR-1600 seems to have varying degrees of success with QAM cable. Many users have great results. I have a strong cable signal, but have never been able to tune in a reliable signal from my cable line.

Finally, there's apparently some issue with the HVR-1600 and Comcast cable. I contacted Hauppauge about the problems I was having, and they responded saying they were aware of it and working on a fix. But I don't really know what the problem is or when/if a fix will ever be available. I had about the same results with an OnAir GT tuner, so I think there's just something weird with Comcast cable. My TV has no problem with Comcast, so I don't really know what the situation is. I finally gave up trying to use cable and switched to an outdoor antenna. MUCH more reliable!

Anthony