HD capture through "analog hole"?

[ZetaVu]

Misteregg sent me this link, not wanting to post links to Sage but I'd like to see some discussion here as well (specifically if anyone is/was at the CES)

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...46&postcount=8

"But Hauppauge folks did show me a super-prototype new HD capture product: the HD-PVR (tentative name). Tentative price: $250. Captures full 1080p over the analog hole, so no DRM issues."

Now from previous discussion If I recall it was bandwidth for capturing through component or whatever hole they are using, but if this has a hardware mpeg4 encoder, then what happens? Anyone else hear about this, confirm, dispel, opinions?

And yes, if this is true SS NEEDS to support it, top priority, all other bickering aside.

[MarcP]

Read something else in that thread... SageTV on Echostar STB? Interesting...

Is Snapstream at CES?

[ZetaVu]

And again, even though I am one of the integration bitchers, can we please keep this on topic and not let it get into a Sagefest?

But yes, Sage on Echostar does sound interesting, wonder how that works out with the R5000 hack, they must be aware of that.

[rakeshagrawal]

Ken Plotkin (CEO of Hauppauge) described this device to me a month or two ago when I visited with him in Hauppauge, NY. I agree it sounds really cool. The biggest challenge they were facing, when I spoke with him, was getting the H.264 that this thing spit out decoded on a reasonable PC processor. It sounded to me like it would be a while before they'd be shipping anything.

I wonder if Hauppauge actually demo'ed it to someone at CES or if they just showed someone their prototype box.

I was at CES but just got back -- it was a quick trip, including a 21 hour day yesterday. Yikes!

Originally Posted by ZetaVu

Misteregg sent me this link, not wanting to post links to Sage but I'd like to see some discussion here as well (specifically if anyone is/was at the CES)

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...46&postcount=8

"But Hauppauge folks did show me a super-prototype new HD capture product: the HD-PVR (tentative name). Tentative price: $250. Captures full 1080p over the analog hole, so no DRM issues."

Now from previous discussion If I recall it was bandwidth for capturing through component or whatever hole they are using, but if this has a hardware mpeg4 encoder, then what happens? Anyone else hear about this, confirm, dispel, opinions?

And yes, if this is true SS NEEDS to support it, top priority, all other bickering aside.

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

Ken Plotkin (CEO of Hauppauge) described this device to me a month or two ago when I visited with him in Hauppauge, NY. I agree it sounds really cool. The biggest challenge they were facing, when I spoke with him, was getting the H.264 that this thing spit out decoded on a reasonable PC processor. It sounded to me like it would be a while before they'd be shipping anything.

I wonder if Hauppauge actually demo'ed it to someone at CES or if they just showed someone their prototype box.

I was at CES but just got back -- it was a quick trip, including a 21 hour day yesterday. Yikes!

so is it a component card? The only information I can find about a new Hauppauge product is a revised HVR 950Q that can play clear qam now.

according to the poster in the thread, he was shown a super prototype, so I have a feeling it was just a non-working demo. I would so be willing to buy 4 of these and hook STBs up to them.

[Mistergq]

I just saw a new post in that thread.

Regarding the HD-PVR capture product, the tech itself was locked in a cabinet behind the monitor. You couldn't see it - the hauppauge rep told me it was a complete prototype piece of hardware: just the board; no case. Hence why it was hidden. He did tell me that they were hoping to have it more finalized by cebit (perhaps even for formal announcement)

Not sure it it's a card; I got the impression it would be a USB component capture device.

Actually, USB would be better than card. We would not be limited by number of slots on mother boards.

[rakeshagrawal]

What was described to me was a USB device with component video inputs and an H.264 hardware encoder. I don't think it was among the things that Hauppauge formally announced at CES.

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

What was described to me was a USB device with component video inputs and an H.264 hardware encoder. I don't think it was among the things that Hauppauge formally announced at CES.

they probably don't want the hole plugged up...or get the industry back to the point they want to plug the hole. I am sure they also want to be the first to the market. I will not be waiting for a price decrease on this one...I better start saving now!

[ZetaVu]

Rakesh, if I had one thing on the top of my priority list, all other requests and complaining aside, it is please, find us a way to record HD from Satellite (or cable). If this device could record 1080 (hell, 720) in a reasonable manner from a directv box (or cable), then we need to be able to use it. If not, the only other solution I see out there is the R5000 mod for Dish network boxes, requiring network tuners through firewire, and likewise that should also be a priority.

I am very pleased to see you are on top of the situation and appreciate your updates, please keep us informed, this, the R5000 and the teaser from Directv (usb box referred to in http://www.dbstalk.com/showthread.php?t=115136 ) there might be hope for Satellite HD recording (although I really do not want to resort to vista for the directv box, hope that could be gotten to work with xp)

New Years resolution, get us a reasonable satellite HD solution for btv and I resolve to not complain about anything else for the rest of the year.

[EEinOK]

Originally Posted by ZetaVu

Misteregg sent me this link, not wanting to post links to Sage but I'd like to see some discussion here as well (specifically if anyone is/was at the CES)

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...46&postcount=8

"But Hauppauge folks did show me a super-prototype new HD capture product: the HD-PVR (tentative name). Tentative price: $250. Captures full 1080p over the analog hole, so no DRM issues."

Now from previous discussion If I recall it was bandwidth for capturing through component or whatever hole they are using, but if this has a hardware mpeg4 encoder, then what happens? Anyone else hear about this, confirm, dispel, opinions?

And yes, if this is true SS NEEDS to support it, top priority, all other bickering aside.

I was looking around on their board the last few days (one of among many) doing some "fact finding" regarding the future of the DIY PVR. Since I don't have SageTV I didn't register to state that this sounded like pie in the sky until I read about it here. I sadly admit that I've adopted a fatalist attitude regarding my DIY PVR future, at least being about to record/playback encrypted programming. I really hope that there will devices that will still allow us to enjoy DIY PVR as we know it. I decided however to not upgrade my PVR to HD as well as not buying an HDTV (I know...I'm missing out on it). Hopefully my patience will be well rewarded...

[Darkk]

I think Hauppauge is fully aware what is at stake here which is why they had to come up with a new product to satisfy our concerns for the future. DRM is the biggest thorn to everybody's side but I can also understand the reasoning behind it is to protect their copyrighted material. The way I would like to see is let them add a unique code in the streams without restrictions so if we ever pirate their material out to the net it's our ass. Sure "invasion of privacy!" which is not the case here. If we're responsible enough then it's not an issue. I remember people cry afoul when apple secretly encoded their DRM-free songs with a unique ID which isn't DRM-free to begin with. Anyway, didn't want to hijack this thread but you get the idea.

Rakesh, please do keep us posted on these things because we're too are wondering what is in store for us and how we can keep BTV going for the future with these upcoming changes.

[cat6man]

Originally Posted by rakeshagrawal

What was described to me was a USB device with component video inputs and an H.264 hardware encoder. I don't think it was among the things that Hauppauge formally announced at CES.

interesting, of course.

i sort of see the appeal, but i still have to rent 3 or 4 cable boxes, each of which needs a $250 component=>h.264 usb capture device............still not sure that is preferable to the cable box or tivo with built in pvr

if i still need to rent the darn cable boxes to provide the component signal, i'm still controlled by the cableco

[Mistergq]

Originally Posted by cat6man

still not sure that is preferable to the cable box or tivo with built in pvr

if i still need to rent the darn cable boxes to provide the component signal, i'm still controlled by the cableco

while I understand what you are saying, the difference between PVR and TIVO is that I can archive the tv show, I can remove the commercials, I have control over the video. With TIVO or rented DVR, I don't have those options.

also, with this device, we can use cable, FIOS, or satellite. that is definitely heading in the right direction.

[RiderFan]

I live in Canada, and this "analog hole" is pretty much the only way there is on a HTPC to record HD. I would buy and switch in a heartbeat for this device and any PVR company that supports it.

[cat6man]

Originally Posted by Mistergq

while I understand what you are saying, the difference between PVR and TIVO is that I can archive the tv show, I can remove the commercials, I have control over the video. With TIVO or rented DVR, I don't have those options.

also, with this device, we can use cable, FIOS, or satellite. that is definitely heading in the right direction.

mistergg,
i see your point.......personally, i don't remove commercials or archive shows for long.......have to remember that not everyone uses BTV exactly as i do ........now if these babies come down to $100-$150 each with competition (similar to a good tuner card today), it will be very interesting

cheers