Using SnapStream V3 with an HDTV tuner Card

[kaps94]

I am in the process of building a HTPC for my hometheater setup. I want to ad an HDTV tuner card and would like also like to setup my HTPC as a decent PVR. I was just wondering is Version 3.0 able to record HDTV broadcasts.

[festivalman]

nope it can't, as those save digital streams. I've tried it with the popular hipix hdtv board, through the cable and svhs inputs, but snapstream just sees it as some strange device and can't even get a capture going.

[festivalman]

btw, the latest hipix software 3.5 which is available on avsforum fully allows you to schedule auto recordings for daily/weekly/month shows. Very similar abilities as snapstream 2.0 in that way. No web interface or anything though for remote setup.

[MattS]

Have you'll been pleased with the output of the HIPIX card overall? I'm possibly going to be interested in getting an HD card sooner or later.

[festivalman]

I've been amazingly pleased with the hipix. In case you haven't researched it already, the hipix IS getting a bit old though. It uses a vga passthrough (very high quality so no shadowing even on high resolutions) instead of in a window/overlay. What brought it back to life, are a few programmers on avsforum.com that are continuing to write new versions of the software that are really amazing. Automatically skips commercials, the full scheduling stuff. They've done such an amazing job, that it actually outshines the other newer hdtv cards with their less feature rich software. Here's a still I took from the recent US Open, although there are others that are probably better. One of the nice features of the hipix, is that it doesn't encrypt the stream files. you can rename those stream files, and using windvd 4.0 or better, they can be played on any P4 1.5ghz or faster with a geforce2 or better. Great for the hdtv pvr server that you put in the corner...

[MattS]

Well, hopefully I'll have some money one day I can do this stuff with -- right now I'd be happy with picking up the airwave HD broadcasts with a cheap HD card and a nice antenna.