Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2: doesn't work with top boxes?

[ricksaint]

I have a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2. When I try to set it up with my HDTV box, it didn't work. It's not supposed to, or is it something I did wrong?

Anyone knows if the WinTV-HVR 1950 would work with an HDTV box?

Thanks.

[sub]

I'm not sure what exactly you're trying to do, but PVR USB2 is an analog only box, and will only capture standard def video. You can typically attach svideo or composite cables from your set top box to do this.

The HVR-1950 does pretty much the same in the respect. ie, you can capture standard def analog video from your set top box using composite/svideo. It can also connect to your antenna to receive over the air ATSC from any transmitters your receive signal from in your area, or you can receive any unencrypted clear qam digital cable channels if you connect the cable feed directly to an HVR-1950. ie, it will not receive high def from a set top box.

[ricksaint]

I'm not sure what exactly you're trying to do, but PVR USB2 is an analog only box, and will only capture standard def video. You can typically attach svideo or composite cables from your set top box to do this.

The HVR-1950 does pretty much the same in the respect. ie, you can capture standard def analog video from your set top box using composite/svideo. It can also connect to your antenna to receive over the air ATSC from any transmitters your receive signal from in your area, or you can receive any unencrypted clear qam digital cable channels if you connect the cable feed directly to an HVR-1950. ie, it will not receive high def from a set top box.

Thanks for answering.

I have an HDTV set top box that send HDTV signals to my HDTV set. I'd like to be able to send the signals first to the Hauppauge (hooked up to my laptop), then to the HDTV set, in order to use it as a PVR. If the WinTV-HVR 1950 would allow me to do this, I'd return the WinTV-PVR-USB2, as I can only get analog signals from the latter. I would than get the WinTV-HVR 1950.

[mikeh49]

If you want to capture HDTV from the STB, you will need the Hauppauge HD-PVR which connects to the component out of the STB (the component outpus (3 RCA jacks, red., blue, green carry a high definition analog signal that the HDPVR encodes to digital in H.264 format). I believe it will "loop" the component signals through itself to the TV, i.e., two sets of jacks, in and out. With this connection, you can capture the same program as shown on the TV.

Alternatively, you can connect the USB-PVR2 or 1950 to either the s-video or composite (yellow RCA jack) output of the STB and capture standard definition video. (You will also need audio cables between the STB and the capture device.) You will still only be able to capture the same program as on TV. If you want to record something different from what you are watching, you will need a second STB.

If they have clear QAM in Canada, you may be able to find some unencrypted digital channels on the cable (direct from the wall) that could be tuned with the 1950. Someone from Canada will have to help you with that.

The h.264 format of the HD-PVR puts a pretty heavy load on the playback machine, so you will need a fast CPU and a modern graphics card. Laptops may be too weak, unless they are new and intended for video.

[ricksaint]

If you want to capture HDTV from the STB, you will need the Hauppauge HD-PVR which connects to the component out of the STB (the component outpus (3 RCA jacks, red., blue, green carry a high definition analog signal that the HDPVR encodes to digital in H.264 format). I believe it will "loop" the component signals through itself to the TV, i.e., two sets of jacks, in and out. With this connection, you can capture the same program as shown on the TV.

Alternatively, you can connect the USB-PVR2 or 1950 to either the s-video or composite (yellow RCA jack) output of the STB and capture standard definition video. (You will also need audio cables between the STB and the capture device.) You will still only be able to capture the same program as on TV. If you want to record something different from what you are watching, you will need a second STB.

If they have clear QAM in Canada, you may be able to find some unencrypted digital channels on the cable (direct from the wall) that could be tuned with the 1950. Someone from Canada will have to help you with that.

The h.264 format of the HD-PVR puts a pretty heavy load on the playback machine, so you will need a fast CPU and a modern graphics card. Laptops may be too weak, unless they are new and intended for video.

According to Hauppauge's website, the 1950 is supposed to have an IR blaster allowing it to capture HDTV straight from the box. Do I understand it wrong?

"IR Blaster to control satellite and cable TV set top boxes" (Bottom of the page)

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/d...r1950.html

[sub]

According to Hauppauge's website, the 1950 is supposed to have an IR blaster allowing it to capture HDTV straight from the box. Do I understand it wrong?

"IR Blaster to control satellite and cable TV set top boxes" (Bottom of the page)

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/d...r1950.html

The IR Blaster is used for changing channels on the set top box, but the set top box only sends an analog standard def signal to the HVR-1950 so thats all it can record.

Mike is correct above. The only device that captures high definition from a HD set top box is the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

The are heaps of devices that can capture HD from ATSC or Clear QAM though (unencrypted digital cable).

[mvallevand]

The amount of clear QAM TV in Canada is a joke.

Martin

[ricksaint]

The only device that captures high definition from a HD set top box is the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

I wouldn't mind if I don't get HD channels. All I want is this: There are 68 channels straight from the wall which I am getting now. When they go through the STB, they become more than 400. I'd like to get them all.

Are you saying that I wouldn't get even the non-HD channels with the 1950?

[sub]

You can get all of the channels from your STB over the composite/svideo connection, but they'll just be standard definition.

[mvallevand]

I wouldn't mind if I don't get HD channels. All I want is this: There are 68 channels straight from the wall which I am getting now. When they go through the STB, they become more than 400. I'd like to get them all.

Are you saying that I wouldn't get even the non-HD channels with the 1950?

The channels that you get without the STB are analog, the ones that require the box are digital, it has nothing to do with HD vs SD. You will be able to record the analog broadcasts directly but the digital channels (HD and SD) that you subscribe to will only be able to be recorded through the composite or svideo outputs in SD. The HD PVR records off the component outputs so it can handle HD and SD but it still uses the STB as the digital tuner and decoder.

You might find some digital channels in clear QAM too but there are no rules to govern what Rogers does.

Martin