so according to a PM from a very legit member of AVS, its not possible to capture ESPNHD without having a Mac?

any help is appreciated

That information is not correct.

ESPN-HD is an encrypted channel on most providers, which means you need one of two things to record to your PC: (1) a Vista CableCard PC, or (2) an authorized DTCP recording device, such as a JVC D-VHS HDTV VCR.

That is incorrect!

Mike T

You can always buy a component capture card.

But almost all component capture cards will only accept SD 480i resolution and of course it has to be capturing the component video from a STB and not get directly from the cable.

But almost all component capture cards will only accept SD 480i resolution and of course it has to be capturing the component video from a STB and not get directly from the cable.


This one will capture HD component--
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

Mike T

ESPN HD is the only channel that is 5C copy freely on my cable system (other than local OTA channels) :(

This one will capture HD component--
http://www.blackmagic-design.com/products/intensity/

Mike T
I am aware that the Black Magic solution will work which is why I said almost all an not all. However, it is an expensive solution and also requires that a STB be used to decode the orgional broadcast.

ESPN HD is the only channel that is 5C copy freely on my cable system (other than local OTA channels) :(

provider and location??

So, I currently have ESPN (analog cable). An option would be to get a cable STB to tune ESPNHD. However, if I wanted to record it on my HTPC, my only attractive option seems to be doing this over s-video.

So, is it worth it? Would ESPNHD-->S-video look better or worse than simply ESPN (Analog cable)? The HD stb would cost me probably cost me an extra $7/month. I use Comcast in SE Michigan.

The display device here is a HDTV and the capture card is the Hauppauge 250 (using s-video input)?

So, I currently have ESPN (analog cable). An option would be to get a cable STB to tune ESPNHD. However, if I wanted to record it on my HTPC, my only attractive option seems to be doing this over s-video.

So, is it worth it? Would ESPNHD-->S-video look better or worse than simply ESPN (Analog cable)? The HD stb would cost me probably cost me an extra $7/month. I use Comcast in SE Michigan.

The display device here is a HDTV and the capture card is the Hauppauge 250 (using s-video input)?

im not sure which would look better, but technically they would both be in standard definition because Svideo wont support anything over 480i I believe. however using a STB to get ESPNHD will probably result in better picture

I beg to differ :)

Can't upload the full res image to imageshack since i'm at work.
5C is off for us, I read that it was messing with TiVO recordings or something.

I beg to differ :)

Can't upload the full res image to imageshack since i'm at work.
5C is off for us, I read that it was messing with TiVO recordings or something.

are you begging to differ with my statement, because i would lke some clarification

are you begging to differ with my statement, because i would lke some clarification

Yes, It is possible to capture ESPNHD with a PC. I do it all the time. Cable company just has to have 5C turned off for the channel.

ak3883,
What make/model tuner/video capture card are you using to capture ESPNHD in HD resolution on your PC and how is it configured?

Um, what do Mac have to do with HD capture?
Do/Can Macs defeat the 5C flag?

Um, what do Mac have to do with HD capture?Nothing.

Do/Can Macs defeat the 5C flag?No, they cannot.

Um, what do Mac have to do with HD capture?
Do/Can Macs defeat the 5C flag?

Nothing.

No, they cannot.


MACs have something to do with HD Capture. Some people have been able to report success on capturing from SA boxes with MACs instead of PCs. Regardless the 5C flag still has to be off to capture MAC or PC.

ak3883,
What make/model tuner/video capture card are you using to capture ESPNHD in HD resolution on your PC and how is it configured?

I use CapDVHS and 1394 connection from my 3416PI box to my PC. The install is a bit tricky, but once you get it going, it's pretty easy. There is a sticky at the top of this forum that details how to set it up on the first post.
The great thing about digital is that since you are keeping the signal all digital, no need to change any settings as far as quality of the MPEG2 encoding or anything. Just hit record and it goes, and works for SD or HD:D For this reason I cannot bash Comcast too awful much, at least for what I pay, I can archive HD off my DVR. That's the only thing I use it for, obviously i'm not making copies of movies and selling or anything like that. One half of a college bball game fits on a DVD+R DL disc with some room to spare.