new guy with general questions.

[chee16]

so i have read lots of great things about GBPVR and it seems like the program that would suit me best. here is what i am using:

Dell Inspiron 6400 Laptop (120gig harddrive, 1gig DDR ram)
Hauppauge HVR-850 USB tv tuner
Bell Expressvu satellite reciever

all i really want to be able to do is record things off the satellite with decent quality (i don't need 1080i ), watch them later or even sometimes record them on a DVD. i hook my computer to the TV using the S-video and the red and white comp. cables to the earphone jack (not sure what the other one is for really) so its not like i am looking for theater quality, i just want the same as i get with the basic satellite receiver.

so, i have successfully used the WinTv program to schedule and record a movie (ended up being 3.9 gig but if it is already in DVD format then that isn't bad) and it was actually really easy. is GBPVR going to give me a lot more options? i like things simple and i downloaded GBPVR and tried setting things up (i didn't spend much time though) and couldn't get anything going. i have read something about GBPVR only supporting the digital aspect of the HVR-850 and not the analog? is my sat signal analog or digital? (i know i am a noob).

any experiences and help would be great. i like to read about this stuff so links are great too.

thank you

[sub]

i have read something about GBPVR only supporting the digital aspect of the HVR-850 and not the analog?

Sorry, but the connection from your Bell Expressvu receiver to the HVR-850 would be analog. As you've already read, this is not supported due to the lack of hardware encoder on this device. Some people have managed to get it to go (by installing SoftMCE), but unfortunately you wont have any control over bitrate etc (which ultimately dictates the size of files etc).

[dvasco]

Chee16, the HVR-1950 has a hardware encoder in case you feel the cost of purchasing one for GB-PVR is worth it. It would free up the CPU a bit also. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6815116029

[chee16]

i like the idea of the HVR-1950 but it is basically double the cost and funds are low i appreciate the help though guys. really i do as i am new

so would there be any advantage to the HVR-950Q? i think it has the same Chip (for lack of a more knowledgable term) as the 850 as far as analog goes but the digital aspect allows QAM cable? i could be wrong

thanks

[sub]

i think it has the same Chip (for lack of a more knowledgable term) as the 850 as far as analog goes but the digital aspect allows QAM cable?

Yeah, I think that is pretty much the case. The only difference is QAM support.