Setting up HD/digital tuners for dummies

[sweitzen]

I apologise if there's another thread out there -- if so, kindly post a link to it, please!

I have been using the ATI TV Wonder Elite to record SD broadcasts for years now -- and it's extremely simple. I am starting to look into upgrading to digital cable (Comcast Houston).

My understanding is that all the digital HD tuner solutions require an IR dongle to allow the computer to change the channel, and even then, unless it provides a slot for a cable card, you are limited to ClearQAM broadcasts (which, if I understand correctly, excludes everything but standard over-the-air channels). Since most of my recording comes from Sci Fi channel, History Channel, Discovery Channel, etc, this wouldn't do me much good.

Is this understanding correct?

Is it possible yet for me to put together a digital HD recording system (with at least three independent inputs) that will NOT require a box converter for each input, keeping the equipment and footprint fairly light?

[nrf]

I can touch on this topic slightly. I have one digital box that is controlled with an ir blaster, but I use s-video to get the programming so it ends up being SD anyway. However, the up side of it is that you have access to all the channels, encrypted or not. (I am not discussing Pay Per View here, just normal services)

Without the STB, you can get the unencrypted stuff in HD with a supported qam tuner.

I can't comment on whether BTV does cablecard or not.

You can avoid the S-Video and jump to HD on a HD STB if you use the Hauppauge HD-PVR product. there's lots to read about it on this forum.

Bottom line, though, you are going to be stuck with lots of boxes to do what you describe!

Good luck. I hope TWC doesn't evolve into the next Comcast.

[sweitzen]

Thanks!

I've been reading a little more, and talking to Comcast.

It seems I can upgrade to digital for the same cost I'm paying now, and I still get the analog signal, as well, allowing me to continue using my existing setup.

Then, at least, I can watch HD on my 50" TV.

Perhaps I'd replace the ATI TV Wonder Elite cards with the WinTV-HVR-2250, or similar, so i can catch the ClearQAM broadcasts where they exist, and still get my Sci Fi/History/Discovery channels in analog.

I really don't want to bother with STBs right now, so I'd be perfectly happy with a system that detects and records ClearQAM when it exists, and otherwise, records in analog NTSC.

[Zogg]

Thanks!

I've been reading a little more, and talking to Comcast.

It seems I can upgrade to digital for the same cost I'm paying now, and I still get the analog signal, as well, allowing me to continue using my existing setup.

Then, at least, I can watch HD on my 50" TV.

Perhaps I'd replace the ATI TV Wonder Elite cards with the WinTV-HVR-2250, or similar, so i can catch the ClearQAM broadcasts where they exist, and still get my Sci Fi/History/Discovery channels in analog.

I really don't want to bother with STBs right now, so I'd be perfectly happy with a system that detects and records ClearQAM when it exists, and otherwise, records in analog NTSC.

I think that's a good plan to upgrade your system in steps. I think most of us have gone that route.

Get that part working okay as described above, then when you are ready add that extra STB to snag the digital versions of the channels. I always got better looking recordings capturing the S-video output of a STB instead of the analog channel via analog tuner. And be sure the new STB is HD, the recordings look even better. Then finally add an HD-PVR (or similar if something else is available then) to capture from the STB in HB.

Trust me, once you start down the HD path those SD recordings just begin to look unacceptable... :wink:

[NickHark]

Thanks!

I've been reading a little more, and talking to Comcast.

It seems I can upgrade to digital for the same cost I'm paying now, and I still get the analog signal, as well, allowing me to continue using my existing setup.

Then, at least, I can watch HD on my 50" TV.

Perhaps I'd replace the ATI TV Wonder Elite cards with the WinTV-HVR-2250, or similar, so i can catch the ClearQAM broadcasts where they exist, and still get my Sci Fi/History/Discovery channels in analog.

I really don't want to bother with STBs right now, so I'd be perfectly happy with a system that detects and records ClearQAM when it exists, and otherwise, records in analog NTSC.

Comcast here in San Jose, gives the locals in HD, (required by law) and extended basic plus others, in digital; and you can access all of it without a stb. I doubt Comcast will be forthright with you, to explain that a card that has a QAM tuner in it will receive all their unencrypted digital channels.

To find out what you have, scan your channels on your TV, assuming it has a QAM tuner, and you will then be able to record all those without a STB and no Ir blaster.

If you don't have QAM tuner on your TV I recommend the 2250. Its a hybrid dual tuner so you will install 4 tuners in BTV, two QAMs and two analogs. I don't think you can go wrong with it.

[tscales]

Eventually you'll get an HD PVR the first time you see a Scifi program in HD.