New Tuner Suggestions

[jathef]

I currently have 3 PCR-150 tuners and my cable company recently switched our service from analog to digital requiring a STB. Fortunately all of the channels I care about are unencrypted QAM so I think I can get a new tuner to get back in business.

Couple of questions:

- I read in a few posts that a single tuner can record multiple shows with a digital signal. Can I get a single tuner to record 3 simultaneous shows with a QAM source?
- I have a mix of remote devices including MVPs and PCs. I would like to have the option of recording high def shows to watch on my PCs. If I don't know which client will be used, I am assuming I would just have two recordings - one with hi-def and the other on the standard channel right?
- What tuner would you recommend as a good replacement and why?

Thanks for you any help you can provide!!!

[sub]

- I read in a few posts that a single tuner can record multiple shows with a digital signal. Can I get a single tuner to record 3 simultaneous shows with a QAM source?

A single digital tuner can record multiple channels, but only if they're on the same frequency. Typically a digital cable network could have 6-8 standard def channels on one frequency, or 2-3 high def channels, or some mixed combinations. Its unlikely that you'd always want shows on the same frequency, so you'd probably need multiple tuners.

- I have a mix of remote devices including MVPs and PCs. I would like to have the option of recording high def shows to watch on my PCs. If I don't know which client will be used, I am assuming I would just have two recordings - one with hi-def and the other on the standard channel right?

When it comes to digital, you get whatever resolution/bitrate the broadcaster transmits. If you record HD channels, then you'll get HD recordings.

The MVP was great device back in the analog days, but unfortunately isnt well suited to the playing new digital channels, since it cant do either highdef video or AC3 audio.

- What tuner would you recommend as a good replacement and why?

There is probably a lot of devices that would meet these requirements. Personally I think the HVR-2250 is a pretty good option. It gives two tuners, each capable of Analog/QAM/ATSC, and the analog has hardware encoders. The analog might be useful if you decide to add a STB into the mix.

[jathef]

Ok that all makes sense and thanks for the information.

It looks like at this point I really need to build a new PC (have XP and need to go to Windows 7) and overhaul my DVR solution. Until I can get that started, any reason why I could not use a WinTV-HVR-850 HDTV Adapter to record the few shows that are only available via digital channels? I know this would only give me one recording and I can keep using my PVR-150s for the local channels that I watch most of the time.

[sub]

Yes, you could do that - though I think the HVR-850 is ATSC/Analog only, so you'd need the 950Q for QAM/ATSC/Analog.

[pcostanza]

I've had the 2250 for awhile and it's working great with NVPR. Someone recently gave me a used 950 and it's working well too. It's great for those who don't have the space in their system for another card but if you do, Hauppage has a hit on their hands with the 2250.
Also, a number of retailers have the HDHomerun on sale. It's great if you want a network tuner.

[ga_mueller]

I use two 950Q's, and they work great.