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Complete Noob to HTPC, just want to record programs from my satellite provider.

post #1 of 15
6/22/09 at 1:07am
Thread Starter 
I wouldent be recording any HD programs, but some programs from channels such as espn, mtv, vh1 etc..

i already have a pc thats right next to my tv and i was wondering if i could just buy a tuner card install it and be good to go (aside from recording software).

I have directv and im not sure if it would be an issue doing it. Im looking for the cheapest possible way to make a DVR in a sense.

thanks
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post #2 of 15
6/22/09 at 5:40am
because it's coming from a sattelite box you're going to need an IR blaster so that the computer can change the channel on the sattelite box and any PVR device will do, you don't need a "tuner" per se, because you'll only need to input a single video stream, not decode multiple channels.
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post #3 of 15
6/22/09 at 9:32am
For simple satellite box recording you can buy an analog tuner/capture card that includes a MCE compatible remote with IR blaster capability for under $100. This along with Vista Home Premium is all you need.

I would consider getting a combo tuner card that can capture the s-video from the satellite box and also tune ATSC.

Also if you buy the TV Tuner separate from the remote control it will cost just a few $ more however it will open up your options; I personally am very happy with the Microsoft Media Center Remote and IR Blaster.
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post #4 of 15
6/22/09 at 11:39am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by user4avsforum View Post

For simple satellite box recording you can buy an analog tuner/capture card that includes a MCE compatible remote with IR blaster capability for under $100. This along with Vista Home Premium is all you need.

I would consider getting a combo tuner card that can capture the s-video from the satellite box and also tune ATSC.

Also if you buy the TV Tuner separate from the remote control it will cost just a few $ more however it will open up your options; I personally am very happy with the Microsoft Media Center Remote and IR Blaster.

Ok, thanks.

Which card would you recommend? and with MCE would i be able to schedule recordings and whatnot?
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post #5 of 15
6/22/09 at 12:03pm
I would recommend something like the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit which includes an ATSC tuner and an NTSC tuner. It will also provide you with the necessary remote and IR blaster. You can find it here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116015

MCE will allow you to schedule and watch the recordings, set recurring recording schedules, etc...
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post #6 of 15
6/22/09 at 12:19pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TheKingsOfMS View Post

I would recommend something like the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit which includes an ATSC tuner and an NTSC tuner. It will also provide you with the necessary remote and IR blaster. You can find it here: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116015

MCE will allow you to schedule and watch the recordings, set recurring recording schedules, etc...

if you only need one tuner i have the hauppage 1250, the retail comes with the ir blaster and remote all for $60.
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post #7 of 15
6/22/09 at 5:32pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, if i bought the 1250 i would have to bypass my box? or plug in the coax from the box to the card? and i know S-Video doesnt carry sound, so if i choose that how would that work?
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post #8 of 15
6/22/09 at 6:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex5857 View Post

Ok, if i bought the 1250 i would have to bypass my box? or plug in the coax from the box to the card? and i know S-Video doesnt carry sound, so if i choose that how would that work?

the coax is only going to hep you if you have and antenna or are getting qam signals from cable. you need to use the svideo input.

how do you get sound now? you will probably need a sound card with inputs to capture the sound.

do you have window media center? check out the online videos from microsft from the link in mce if you do, it has a tutorial on setting all the different kinds of signals, it might answer your questions.
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post #9 of 15
6/23/09 at 1:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mike_311 View Post

the coax is only going to hep you if you have and antenna or are getting qam signals from cable. you need to use the svideo input.

how do you get sound now? you will probably need a sound card with inputs to capture the sound.

do you have window media center? check out the online videos from microsft from the link in mce if you do, it has a tutorial on setting all the different kinds of signals, it might answer your questions.

I do have windows media center. ok, ill do that, thanks
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post #10 of 15
6/23/09 at 5:02am
Since you're not going to be recording any HD programs, your best bet would be to get yourself a used DirecTivo DVR off ebay. In order to record any content from DirecTV using a PC, you're going to need a DirecTV receiver to feed the PC's tuner card at the very least. The monthly rental fee for the STB is going to be the same if you're using a DVR except that the DVR will have dual tuners and can record in Dolby Digital. You're also recording the digital stream directly to the hard drive in the DVR and not going through an extra D/A then an A/D conversion process that will reduce the quality of the original picture.

The one caveat is that you'll have to pay a $5.99 monthly DVR fee and may also have to shell out $20 for a new access card, although some CSRs may waive the fee and send you the card for free if you can sweet talk them into it. The good news is that the DVR fee is a flat fee that covers an unlimited number of DVRs on your DirecTV account. You'll find that having a dedicated DVR for satellite is far less problematic than trying to set it up to record on your HTPC. If you've already got the DirecTV subscription then the DirecTivo is by far the best way to go.
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post #11 of 15
6/23/09 at 3:28pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by captain_video View Post

Since you're not going to be recording any HD programs, your best bet would be to get yourself a used DirecTivo DVR off ebay. In order to record any content from DirecTV using a PC, you're going to need a DirecTV receiver to feed the PC's tuner card at the very least. The monthly rental fee for the STB is going to be the same if you're using a DVR except that the DVR will have dual tuners and can record in Dolby Digital. You're also recording the digital stream directly to the hard drive in the DVR and not going through an extra D/A then an A/D conversion process that will reduce the quality of the original picture.

The one caveat is that you'll have to pay a $5.99 monthly DVR fee and may also have to shell out $20 for a new access card, although some CSRs may waive the fee and send you the card for free if you can sweet talk them into it. The good news is that the DVR fee is a flat fee that covers an unlimited number of DVRs on your DirecTV account. You'll find that having a dedicated DVR for satellite is far less problematic than trying to set it up to record on your HTPC. If you've already got the DirecTV subscription then the DirecTivo is by far the best way to go.

Thanks for the suggestion, but i bought the HAVA Titanium HD TV Streamer with Wi-Fi today from the wootoff for $65, looks lit it will do. i will be using it with Windows Media Center.

i already have a directv receiver so that wasn't the problem, i just wanted to get around having to pay the monthly fee, which i thought was stupid in the first place.
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post #12 of 15
6/26/09 at 1:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex5857 View Post

Thanks for the suggestion, but i bought the HAVA Titanium HD TV Streamer with Wi-Fi today from the wootoff for $65, looks lit it will do. i will be using it with Windows Media Center.

i already have a directv receiver so that wasn't the problem, i just wanted to get around having to pay the monthly fee, which i thought was stupid in the first place.

I am interested in hearing your results with using the DirecTV->HAVA with Media Center.
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post #13 of 15
7/7/09 at 5:01pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by user4avsforum View Post

I am interested in hearing your results with using the DirecTV->HAVA with Media Center.

To follow up, i've been using the box for about a week now, is nice, the picture quality is good(i dont have HD programming so it doesnt say much)

I used it with MCE and it worked flawlessly, no complaints. it was pretty much just used to record tv shows.
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post #14 of 15
7/9/09 at 2:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by alex5857 View Post

To follow up, i've been using the box for about a week now, is nice, the picture quality is good(i dont have HD programming so it doesnt say much)

I used it with MCE and it worked flawlessly, no complaints. it was pretty much just used to record tv shows.

Can you use the Havana to schedule recordings? I was wondering if I can cancel my tivo and just use the Havana titanium. Thanks
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post #15 of 15
7/11/09 at 6:40pm
These guys sell kits that are supposed to make certain receivers into USB connected WMC tuners...

http://www.nextcomwireless.com/R5000/mce.htm

Peter
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