New DVR setup questions

[DerangedCreatur]

I was getting ready to build a DVR and I was planning on using Beyond TV. But I am running into a few issues.

This is the basic setup

P4 3.0
512 ram (may get another 512 but already have 512)
DVD Burner of some sort
OnBoard Audio (does this matter really?)
500GB Hard drive
Nvidia Geforce 5950 FX ultra I have laying around.
Then the PVR150 with Beyond TV.

Here is where I have a question.

Does the computer hook up to the TV via the Video Card/Sound Card? Or does the PVR150 control this as well? If so I imagine i'll need a converter cable to go from analog audio to rvc correct?

I also have Comcast Digital Cable, is this going to be a problem? I planned on getting the IR Blaster (still not 100% sure how this thing works, but i get the basic idea). If this is the case, would it be a waste to buy a second PVR150 to be able to have two feeds?

Any suggestions are welcome as well as any changes I should make to the configuration. Some things I already have but I will have to buy some of the pieces. All in all I was just wondering how the basic setup goes between computer/tv and cable box/computer.

Thanks in advance.

[Zaap]

I've always hooked up to a TV through the video card, either the DVI output, S-video or composite out depending on your card and TV.

The audio would depend on what quality suits you, and how good the audio is on your mobo. I'm not a big audiophile by any stretch, and yet still I noticed a huge difference in quality when I upgraded to a good dedicated sound card, vs. the on board audio. The original sound wasn't that bad, just the sound card was noticeably better. Some on board audio may use more system resources than a dedicated card also. Other than that, I'd say it's an either/or choice.

The PVR150 has audio input from the recording source.

Personally can't speak for cable, as I have satellite.

[Maximo]

I tried the onboard audio output on my mobo and it didn't put out enough voltage to properly work on my tv. Moving up to a separate audio card did the trick.

[thundermax]

http://www.snapstream.com/products/b...howitworks.asp

click 'digital cable' link

[DerangedCreatur]

On Digital Cable, is it even possible though to have two feeds? If so would I be able to record one and watch one?

I read that the IR Blaster only works on one, so would one have to be manually started and then i'd be able to view TV on the other one perhaps?

Just curious.

[Joe The Dude]

Do you have a Serial Port on the back of your cable box that looks like this:
http://www.jtdsoftware.com/Serial_Port.jpg

If so, you can probably use that connection to change channels with Beyond TV.

Ya just need some "Null Modem Cables" and Serial Ports on your Motherboard.

What is the make and model of your cable box?

As an example, I have a Motorola DCT-2224 and it has a Serial Port on the back of it that works fine with Serial Port Tuning.
It does not support HD and it does not have a built-in DVR (that's what BTV is for, after all!).

BTV Supports up to 25 Serial Ports, so you'll be good to go if you can go this route.

Your motherboard should already have at least one Serial Port on the back of it.
To add more, you can either get some "USB to Serial" Adapters, or a PCI Card with more Serial Ports.
Your motherboard might also hace some "Pins" on it that let you connect a second serial port.
You'll have to check your motherboard manual to see if you have one, and if so, keep the manual open so you can see it's pinout.

You can go to the following website:
http://www.frontx.com/order2.html

And scroll down and compare it's pinout to the following items:
SERIAL 9 PIN INTERNAL V1
and
SERIAL 9 PIN INTERNAL V2
to see whitch one is compatible with your Motherboard.

In order to mount the serial port, you can pick one of the following choices:
1) Get the FrontX Casing for about $12.
2) Buy a cheap PCI Card that has a Serial Port on it and remove the PCI Card from the Metal Bracket, then connect the cable to that bracket.
3) Check to see if your PC Case has a piece of metal in the right size and shape allready cut out in the back for an additional serial port.
If so, there will probably be a piece of metal on it that you can bend back and forth and snap off that will allow you to mount the Serial Port there.
4) Cut your PC Case with a dremel tool and install it yourself.

[twodaend]

I have comcast digital cable DST-6200 HD box and I'm using a the USB-UIRT. I have to PVR150MCE. The MCE's have the normal coax connection, but also have and S-Video and Audio L/R input. What I did was connect both my 150MCE's using the standard coax connection that has been splitt from the wall. I then connected my comcast box by using the S-Video and Audio L/R outs to the in on 1 of my 150MCE.

Then through the web interface, I created another tuner. Thus one of my 150MCE is doing double duty however, it can only utilize 1 incoming source at a time. However, because of the other 150MCE only using a coax connection, usually I have not had a conflict. While creating this new tuner, here you will also be able to tell it to use the USB-UIRT to change the channel on the comcast box if you have already install the drivers for it.

I believe you can create a new tunner by running the BTV configuration again also. This my be easier because you can select from different options. Using the web interface will let you fine tune the options.