Which Tuner Should I Get?

[millennium]

Hi,

I was a long time, very happy, Windows Media Center with Ceton 6 Tuner user. But now that I upgraded to Windows 10, I've lost Windows Media Center, LiveTV, DVR functionality and there seems to be no solution available coming from Ceton. I've signed up for the kickstarter with SiliconDust, but the software is still in Beta with updates coming at a snail's pace.

So I want to use NextPVR on a Windows Server 2012 setup, and then use Kodi running on Windows 10 to access the LiveTV and DVR functionality. But given I have Time Warner, all my channels coming through my CableCard are marked CopyOnce, thus NextPVR can only show me Non Copy Protection channels (which is like 40 channels out of my 300 channel subscription). Sucks big time! So now I am willing to get rid of my CableCard subscription and pay for an actual cheesy Set Top Box subscription so I can start watching all my channels again. My questions is regarding which tuner to get...should I be getting the WinTV-HVR-2255 or the Colossus 2? Again, I want to access all my HD channels in my Time Warner subscription in HD (and now perhaps PayPerView), so I want to know which tuner I should be getting so there are no limitations.

Kindly advise and if my setup is totally way off, please let me know. Very confused on which Tuner I should be getting. Thanks!

[Graham]

Again, I want to access all my HD channels in my Time Warner subscription in HD (and now perhaps PayPerView), so I want to know which tuner I should be getting so there are no limitations.

Simply stated, you don't need a tuner at all. The tuning is done by the STB. I would expect that you will get a STB that expects to send a signal to a television via HDMI or composite or component or svideo. You can use composite or component or svideo to be sure of avoiding any copy protection issues with HDMI but the quality of the recording may be less than stellar (the Colossus has HDMI input and may record from the STB via HDMI without problems) . The starting point needs to be the outputs that are available on the STB.

You will also need an IR blaster ... a cable to an IR emitter that sticks to the front of the STB and emits IR signals to change channels on the STB. It appears that the computer end of the blaster cable could plug into a 2255 or a Colossus.

The "no limitations" may be a challenge. The STB will output one and only one TV show. Simultaneous recordings of more than one show will not be possible with a single STB.

Apologies if I am preaching to the choir.

[millennium]

Thanks Graham...looks like we are on the same page, I just got my terminology wrong. Instead of Tuner, I mean capture card. I am leaning towards the Colossus 2, but I cant seem to find if it is support by NextPVR or not. I know the first generation Colossus is, but the Colossus 2 doesn't seem to be listed on the Wiki page.

And I guess in order to watch TV on one channel, and record on another, I will need two STB and two Colossus 2's. Which means my upfront investment as well as STB fees nearly double!!! Blah!!!

[Cincylion]

Collossus 2 works with NPVR, I have one. The latest release (3.6.6) also works with the new HDPVR 60 according to the release notes:
- added support for Hauppauge HDPVR60

[Handy.Man]

I would expect that you will get a STB that expects to send a signal to a television via HDMI or composite or component or svideo. You can use composite or component or svideo to be sure of avoiding any copy protection issues with HDMI but the quality of the recording may be less than stellar (the Colossus has HDMI input and may record from the STB via HDMI without problems)

Some HDMI splitters will bypass/remove the copy protection.

[johnsonx42]

I'd say keep the cablecard and ceton 6, you can use that for any non-copy-protected channels; hopefully at least some of your recording/watching is on those channels. Then add the Colosssus/HDPVR & STB for the bulk of your channels, and rely on the fact that most cable channels repeat their shows multiple times to get your recordings done with just the one capture device. You can also make use of the east coast and west coast feeds provided for many channels to provide alternate showings.