What's the best usb tuner for use with cablecard

[bobdobbs]

I haven't used npvr since the gb-pvr days. I had a hauppauge wintv2-usb and it worked great.

Fast-forward to now and I want to set up my system again. I subscribe to basic cable with hbo from comcast. I can get a cablecard from them and it looks like a Hauppauge WinTV DCR-2650 would work well with my laptop. I just have a few questions:

1.Which usb cablecard-ready tuner works best with npvr? I prefer hauppauge, but I'm open to other vendors.
2.Is there still a free or cheap site where I can get tv listings to import into npvr like I did back in the day?
3.Are there DRM issues, perhaps only just with the hbo content?

Thanks in advance,
Bob

[pcostanza]

I had a Ceton USB cablecard tuner but when I moved to Windows 8, it was buggy and I managed to get them to let me trade it in for the Ethernet version.
But, it worked very well in Windows 7.
As far as I know, those are the only 2 that have USB tuners since Silicon is ethernet only I believe.

[bobdobbs]

I had a Ceton USB cablecard tuner but when I moved to Windows 8, it was buggy and I managed to get them to let me trade it in for the Ethernet version.
But, it worked very well in Windows 7.
As far as I know, those are the only 2 that have USB tuners since Silicon is ethernet only I believe.

I'm ok with ethernet as well. I've been out of the game so long, I didn't realize they had ethernet ones. Which ethernet one would you recommend?

[sub]

The SiliconDust HomeRun Prime (Ethernet) and Hauppauge DCR-2650 (usb Ethernet bridge) are your best bet.

3.Are there DRM issues, perhaps only just with the hbo content?

Channels can be marked as either 'Copy-Freely', 'Copy-Once' or 'Copy-Never'. NextPVR (and every other app with the exception of WMC) can only access the copy-freely channels.

Some cable companies are great and have pretty much everything marked as copy-freely, with only premium channels like HBO etc being marked as more restricted. Some other cable companies are not so nice, and mark very little as copy-freely...so you'd be best to search for info on what your specific cable company does before go down this path.

[pcostanza]

http://www.silicondust.com/
http://cetoncorp.com/

I now have the Ceton ETH 6 which can record 6 channels at one time. I use an Xbox as an extender to my TV. They sell an extender as well but it only works with Windows 7 while Xbox works with Windows 8.

[sub]

I wouldn't got Ceton if you intend to use it with NextPVR.

[dljones8053]

I recommend the HD Home Run Prime it is solid no issues for 4 years running it and it's on their network so any system running nextpvr or WMC has access to it. WMC will be the only one to record HBO, Stars and so on.

Another reason I like this tuner it is DLNA so a smart TV that supports DLNA can connect even no nice GUI interface yet but give it time.

Dj

[bobdobbs]

Thanks guys! I'm really liking what the hd homerun plus can do. Thanks all!