Digital Tuner Recommendation Please

[beyonder74]

I am currently using two ATI 550 analog tuner cards. Comcast in my area is changing over some analog channels to digital. So, I have lost the History channel and would like it back!

What are the best choices for a digital tuner to pick up all the channels? I have looked at http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Manual/CaptureCards and do not understand the basics of DVB-T vs DVB-S. What are some of the most popular digital cards used in the US?


I am using an ASUS M2NPV-VM motherboard which has 2 PCI, 1 PCI-E x16 and 1 PCI-E x1 slots. The ATI 550's are taking up the two PCI slots now. I am prepared to replace one or both.

Any suggestions welcome.

Anyone have experience with Comcast in Georgia?

Thanks.

[whurlston]

You should first check to make sure that Comcast is not encrypting those digital channels. If they are not encrypting them, you want to look at QAM capture cards (Not DVB-*). The default recommendation for GB-PVR would be the Hauppauge HVR-2250. You can also get the HDHomeRun if you want the tuners located away from the PC.

[beyonder74]

You should first check to make sure that Comcast is not encrypting those digital channels.

How can I check to see if they are encrypted?

[mvallevand]

Enter your zip code here http://www.silicondust.com/locale/countr...n/channels

Note just because a show is available now, doesn't mean it is guaranteed Over the last two years I've lost 30 channels.

Martin

[beyonder74]

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lin...sidebyside

It says QAM256, so I should be good with a QAM tuner.

Can I put two of the Hauppauge HVR-2250's into my machine? A x1 card will work in a x16 slot without issue, right?

Thanks.

[whurlston]

http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/lin...sidebyside

It says QAM256, so I should be good with a QAM tuner.

Can I put two of the Hauppauge HVR-2250's into my machine? A x1 card will work in a x16 slot without issue, right?

Thanks.

Yeah, 2 cards will work fine. That will give you 4 tuners since each 2250 is a dual tuner.

[tuckster]

If you are able to utilize multi-record with 2 HVR-2250's you could be recording a lot of shows at one time. Better have lots of hard drive space available.

[beyonder74]

If you are able to utilize multi-record with 2 HVR-2250's you could be recording a lot of shows at one time. Better have lots of hard drive space available.

Can you enlighten me on the multi-record feature? How does it work and how do I implement it on GBPVR?

Also, I am using the build in video on the motherboard, the GeForce 6150. Would this still be ok, or do I need to plan for a video card. If so, some suggestions?

Thanks.

[whurlston]

Can you enlighten me on the multi-record feature? How does it work and how do I implement it on GBPVR?

Also, I am using the build in video on the motherboard, the GeForce 6150. Would this still be ok, or do I need to plan for a video card. If so, some suggestions?

Thanks.

With multi record, you can record all programs on a single physical channel using only one tuner. For example, you could record all the following using only one tuner (half of one HVR 2250):


80-202 WAGA
80-203 WXIA
80-204 WTBS
80-205 WGTV
80-206 WGCL
80-207 WUPA
80-208 WHSG
80-209 WPXA
80-210 WATL
80-211 WUVGDT
80-212 WPBA

To use multirecord, use the TS Mux and check the multirecord option in Config.

[pcostanza]

Got an email today and the 2250 is on sale at newegg for $104 with free shipping if you decide you want to go that route. That's the cheapest I've ever seen it.