OTA ATSC to SDTV via 1600

[noremac74]

Hello all,
just getting started in into this gbpvr scene.
Let me know if this setup will work.

Terk HDTVa antennae (OTA ATSC) to Hauppage 1600 to ATI 3450 to SDTV.

PC Specs:
Dell Dimmension P4 2.8, 2GB RAM, 80GB OS HD, 250GB MEDIA HD, ASUS 3450 PCIE, SBLive PCI

Will I need to downconvert the signal or can the 1600 do it, or is this a non-issue?

Also, the IR Blaster with the 1600. Is it only useful for controlling a STB with the Terk HDTVa connected, or can it change channels on the SDTV?

I want to drop my dish network subscription and just use ota atsc with netflix.

Thanks in advance for your help and the help of others in this forum.

[johnsonx42]

Terk HDTVa antennae (OTA ATSC) to Hauppage 1600 to ATI 3450 to SDTV.

Sounds good. I understand from others with HD3000-series cards that Catalyst 8.11 or 8.12 is the best. You'll want to download and install the ATI AVIVO suite, which includes the AVIVO video decoder.

Will I need to downconvert the signal or can the 1600 do it, or is this a non-issue?

non-issue. the source signal and output format are separate issues. once you configure your HD3450 for s-video out, you're done. You can set your windows resolution up to 1024x768 (even though SVideo is technically 720x520); I get quasi-HD quality on my SD TV.

Also, the IR Blaster with the 1600. Is it only useful for controlling a STB with the Terk HDTVa connected, or can it change channels on the SDTV?

The IR Blaster does whatever you want it to I guess, but I don't see any purpose for it in your setup. You certainly don't want to use an STB, and there's no need to change channels on the TV itself either. You'll just set your TV to the SVideo input (or component if you've got 'em and your card has component out); in essence GB-PVR becomes your set-top box, all channel changing is done by your tuner card(s).

I want to drop my dish network subscription and just use ota atsc with netflix.

That's what I did, 'cept I had DirecTV... same difference. I hope whurlston gets his NetFlix plugin tidied up soon.

[noremac74]

Thanks for the quick reply, you saved me a ton of time.

I'm sure many of us are eagerly awaiting the netflix plugin.