Hi-Def from STB? What's the best way?

[mkenyon2]

Let's say I'm gonna go with the cable companies STB... I can get one with HDMI or some other Hi-Def output.

How does my PC take that in? Do I have to downgrade it to composite? How does sound come in?

I assume there are some HDMI and/or 5.1/digital audio inputs out there for the PC.

If you do this, what do you do/use?

[InVermont]

I'm no expert on such things, but I don't think you will find any (in the US anyway) capture devices that take HDMI in.
For Hi-Def recording off of a STB, I think your only option is
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

which uses component in, max. 1080i.
You could step it down to standard def and capture by s-video or composite, of course.

[kayphoonstar]

This looks interesting.

I can't find this available in any US stores yet: the Kworld PCI-E Dual Hybrid TV Card (PE315-2D) has YPbPr & SPDIF and says it's H.264 ready.

Not saying it's supported anywhere but in the native Kworld HyperMedia but it is intriguing. I've had pretty good luck with Kworld cards and they're usually cheap!


http://www.kworld-global.com/main/prod_i...&prodid=82

[sub]

This looks interesting.

I can't find this available in any US stores yet: the Kworld PCI-E Dual Hybrid TV Card (PE315-2D) has YPbPr & SPDIF and says it's H.264 ready.

Not saying it's supported anywhere but in the native Kworld HyperMedia but it is intriguing. I've had pretty good luck with Kworld cards and they're usually cheap!


http://www.kworld-global.com/main/prod_i...&prodid=82

Its worth noting this only does standard definition for analog though, and the H.264 it refers to is just saying the included software can view H.264 channels (it doesnt include an H.264 encoder).

If you want to record highdef from a set top box, pretty much your only option is the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

[kayphoonstar]

Yup, I just found the spec that says the YPbPr is 480p not 1080i and a little "Software Encoder" emblem . . .

I guess I'll keep watching ebay's HD PVR bidding. . .

[elbryyan]

If you want to record highdef from a set top box, pretty much your only option is the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

That also means if you want to watch another channel at the same time you would need another set top box and another HD-PVR correct?

[mikeh49]

If you want to get your hands dirty, you could try firewire capture. I think most (all?) cableco STBs include a firewire port. With some drivers and the Graphrecorder plugin, you can set up a GBPVR capture source. If your HTPC has a firewire port, it's free to try!

Drawbacks, compared to the HD-PVR include:

Some channels may be encrypted (none of mine are, but others have reported many, especially premiums, encrypted).

The box puts out a transport stream that may be of varying quality. I've had poor results with Sub's TS reader being able to play these streams. You can set up a graph to demux and remux as PS, but I've had mixed results here also. The ATI mux seems to be having some problems lately with being able to send the stream to the file for the entire duration of the recording.

Here's a link for further reading:

http://home.comcast.net/~exdeus/stbfirewire/

Also, search the plugin forum for Graphrecorder.

And, yes, you will need a second box if you want to watch and record different channels at the same time.

Mike

[sub]

That also means if you want to watch another channel at the same time you would need another set top box and another HD-PVR correct?

Yes, when it comes to encrypted US channels, thats pretty much your only option. Some might be able to use the firewire solution described above though.

[khaver]

There is a product that can be used to record from HDMI. Although I'm sure it honors DHCP from the STB.

Backmagic Intensity/Pro

http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

Don't know if this could be made to work with GBPVR.

[johnsonx42]

you meant HDCP of course, DHCP is Dynamic Host Configuration Protocal

I'm 99% sure this device has been mentioned before, and sub said no go.