Hardware recommendations for digital cable

[DiscoStu]

So Im trying to set up my computer to function as a DVR, and Im unsure what exactly I need in a capture card. Ive got digital cable coming in through your standard coaxial wires (from comcast, in case that makes any difference somehow). I imagine this means I cant go with the WinTV-PVR-150, which Ive seen recommended, because thats an analogue tuner, and my signal is digital. Two tuners would be nice, so I can watch one thing and record another, but depending on the expense, I could do without the second tuner.

I know this shouldnt be complicated, but after looking at all the available cards, Ive got myself pretty confused. Anybody care to make a card recommendation?

[prouton]

Digital cable requires a decoder (cable) box in order to view a channel. You're right that the PVR-150 only handles analog broadcasts. But it's likely that your Cox service is a mixed analog and digital package, with channels 2 through some sub-100 point being available in analog, and above that in digital.

With your television, what channels can you watch without running the signal through the cable box? Those channels will work fine with the PVR-150 (or two PVR-150's). You can also feed the A/V signals from the cable box (rather than the coax) into the A/V inputs on the PVR-150, and do all tuning through the cable box. The downside to this method is that you need some way for the computer to control the cable box tuner.

[haripj]

You could feed all signals to the PVR-150 through the cable box and use something like either the Hauppauge IR blaster (comes with the card) or a USB-UIRT to control the cable box (change channels). That's what I do currently and I can view / record all channels including HBO.

[DiscoStu]

Without the cable box, I can get about half the channels Im paying for, but Im missing a couple channels Id like to be able to record.

Running through my cable box is a possibility I suppose, but if possible Id like to avoid it. Is there any card which can decode the digital signal Im receiving by itself, without having to run it through the cable box?

[prouton]

Some of the PVR-1600 cards can be used to receive cables QAM encoded channels, although only those that are sent unencrypted. This would preclude any premium channels, and possibly anything other than local channels.

To get the full range of cable channels requires a cablecard tuner card, of which I believe there is only one so far. It's from ATI, but isn't available retail. Cablecard is a whole nuther can of worms at this stage, requiring debugging assistance from the tuner card manufacturer and the cable company itself, according to stories.

Your easiest option would probably be to get two analog tuner cards (or a PVR-500) and feed one tuner from the coax, and the other tuner from the cable box A/V connections. You would then set up the coax tuner as the first capture source in GB-PVR with only those channels that can be viewed directly. The second capture source would be the tuner fed by the A/V connections (cable box), and it would have the full range of channels available.

When you selected something to record, if the first tuner was available and the channel was valid for it, it would use that tuner. If the channel required the cable box, it would by default use the second tuner. When just viewing live TV through the computer, it would start with the second tuner by default, and you could surf through the full range of channels via the cable box.

[ACTCMS]

You would then set up the coax tuner as the first capture source in GB-PVR with only those channels that can be viewed directly. The second capture source would be the tuner fed by the A/V connections (cable box), and it would have the full range of channels available.

You need to think about which way round you connect your sources... When you tell gbpvr to record, it starts with your first source, watching TV starts from the last source. So if you wanted to be able to record from all your channels, you would need to make the A/V (cable box) connection your first source.

[carpeVideo]

Actually you could use a 1600 and firewire.

The 1600 can do clear QAM and analog capture at the same time I believe and firewire would give you a 3rd option for unencrypted channels (in some cases firewire will get you more than QAM) . You would have to set up the analog capture and firewire with graphRecorder so GBPVR treats them as the same source,

CV

[prouton]

So if you wanted to be able to record from all your channels, you would need to make the A/V (cable box) connection your first source.

I disagree. By making your least versatile source the highest (first choice by GB-PVR) you leave free the more versatile option(s) for Live TV viewing or whatever. If the recording selection needs the more versatile source, it will use it, skipping the less versatile (aka unusable) but higher listed source.

I believe (from my limited experimenting) that GB-PVR will kick you out of Live TV if it needs the tuner for a scheduled recording.

[wtg]

Like the 1600, the HDHomeRun can record the clear QAM signals without a cable box and it has two tuners - works quite nicely. The trouble is it's hit and miss whether there are many channels available in clear QAM. Some people say they have lots and lots of stuff available from their cable provider, but the majority like me have just their local HD broadcasts and a few others.

The HDHomeRun can only record ATSC and clear QAM, but it can not record plain old analog cable so it won't work with your cable box for premium content. If you have no tuner at this point, the 1600 or 1800 might be the best bet since it can record analog cable, OTA ATSC and clear QAM. They seem to be the most versatile.

[ACTCMS]

I believe (from my limited experimenting) that GB-PVR will kick you out of Live TV if it needs the tuner for a scheduled recording.

Your limited experimenting is obviously more comprehensive than mine. I bow to your superior knowledge on this one... :p