Clear QAM Tuners

[BrianEWilliams]

Is the HDHomeRun the only solution for tuning clear QAM channels with BTV? Seems like the other cards on the website are for OTA broadcasts.

If HDHomeRun is the only solution, how is it working with BTV 4.7.1? Seems like folks had some complaints with 4.6.1.

If there are other solutions, how do they stack up against HDHomeRun, other than the obvious PCI vs. network device functionality?

[tscales]

It is currently the only solution. It works flawlessly. Worked fine in 4.6.1, but is much easier to configure in 4.7.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by BrianEWilliams

Is the HDHomeRun the only solution for tuning clear QAM channels with BTV? Seems like the other cards on the website are for OTA broadcasts.

That is correct. The HDHomeRun tuner works with BeyondTV because the maker of the HDHR developed standard windows BDA drivers for it. Other than the HDHR, only OTA HDTV tuners work with BTV.

If HDHomeRun is the only solution, how is it working with BTV 4.7.1? Seems like folks had some complaints with 4.6.1.

Don't know about complaints, but the HDHR has improved its setup process with Beyond TV and BTV 4.7.1 eliminated some of the delay many were seeing with the startup of Live TV and changing channels for the QAM channels.

I use the HDHR tuner with Beyond TV 4.7.1 and it works great. I recommend it.

[BrianEWilliams]

Thanks. I am about ready to buy one instead of getting a Tivo HD. Seems like a great product, but I just want to understand it a little more.

This is what I know so far. The HDHomeRun streams clear QAM channels over my home network. I can watch the QAM video using VLC, or I can watch using BTV 4.7.1. I can also record two QAM channels simultaneously with 4.7.1, at which point the QAM video is stored on my hard drive.

If this is all correct, it brings up some questions:

What format is this stored video? Does it take much processor power to record? Can it be edited and burned to a DVD?

[tscales]

It's in the same format as OTA recordings -- Transport Stream.

Yes, it can be edited and burned. I'd google Transport stream, although others know more than I do.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by BrianEWilliams

Thanks. I am about ready to buy one instead of getting a Tivo HD. Seems like a great product, but I just want to understand it a little more.

Just to be sure you understand. The HDHomeRun can only tune the unencrypted QAM channels and not the encrypted ones. Which channels are left "in-the-clear" or unencrypted varies from one cable provider to the next. Just wanted to be sure you understood this since you mentioned the Tivo HD too.

[BrianEWilliams]

Originally Posted by tscales

It's in the same format as OTA recordings -- Transport Stream.

Yes, it can be edited and burned. I'd google Transport stream, although others know more than I do.

Thanks for the info.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MPEG_transport_stream

Never heard of MPEG-TS before today. Based on the bad lip-sync issues on many of my QAM channels, I'd say they have a little more work to do on this.

[cfaslave]

Originally Posted by BrianEWilliams

Never heard of MPEG-TS before today. Based on the bad lip-sync issues on many of my QAM channels, I'd say they have a little more work to do on this.

Not sure what you mean by bad lip-sync issues? With what device were you experiencing that? I've never had a problem with lip synch issues and the HDHR.

[BrianEWilliams]

When I watch a clear QAM channel on my DTV, sometimes I notice lip sync issues. Nothing to do with the HDHR, but instead I think it is a MPEG-TS issue. When I read the beginning of the Wikipedia article, it said MPEG-TS was developed to deal with syncing between audio and video over a non-robust delivery mechanism such as OTA or cable vs. a DVD player that has a much simpler signal path.

Glad to hear the HDHR doesn't seem to introduce more problems, but if my channels are coming in screwed, I doubt it will fix them, but maybe it has some logic that deals with it.

[switchflare]

I also have a couple QAM channels that have lip-sync issues. It's unbearable to watch, so I just have to switch to my analog source and tuner if I want to watch those channels. I too believe it's a transport issue, as I have 30+ other QAM channels that are flawless. No more worries about my OTA signal (I'm just over 20 miles from the towers).

I just got everything working for my HDHR to tune QAM through BTV. I was watching through VLC previously. I wish there was a comparable ethernet-based device for analog sources, though I am well aware of the decoding challenges involved there. I love the ability to stick the HDHR in a closet or anywhere that has electricity and I can run cables to.