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Is an HTPC for me??

post #1 of 13
10/23/09 at 1:45pm
Thread Starter 
Hi Guys,

I've searched all over and found some older convos about this topic, but nothing really staright to the point of my newb question.

I thinking about building an HTPC and running my Comcast cable through it. Main objective is to be able to record to PC, but I'd like to use it as my primary viewing device too. My question is:

Is it possible to get all, or most, of the channels I get through my Comcast STB, through an HTPC? I will still have a STB of course, but I'm wondering if I could build a system that would kind of replace the STB as far as interface goes.

After reading the other forums, it sounds like I can only get a handful of channels to watch and record directly through a custom built HTPC. Is this true?

I would probably run Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Premium on the new system, and have a somewhat healthy budget for a TV Tunder card. Any advice or suggestions (including alternative options) would be really helpful before I go an dish out the cash for this stuff. Just would love to have a custom system that I could use to watch TV and not lose any non-premium channels that I would normally recieve through a STB. Right now, I get pretty much all the channels except the premium movie channels (HBO, Showtime etc.)

P.S. I would like to view in HD, but recording in HD is not absolutely required if its complicated.

Sorry if my questions are bit too newb to even ask, I'm just totally new when it comes to the HTPC thing. I am fairly literate when it comes to building custom PCs though. Thanks in advance!

Vincent
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post #2 of 13
10/23/09 at 7:33pm
Right now it's a real PITA to get premium cable channels through a HTPC. That is supposed to change once cable card tuners are released.

For some of us a HTPC has allowed us to dump pay TV altogether by watching online and recording OTA.
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post #3 of 13
10/23/09 at 7:46pm
if you want it to be your run of the mill DVR, don't bother.
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post #4 of 13
10/23/09 at 7:57pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by vincent2722 View Post

Is it possible to get all, or most, of the channels I get through my Comcast STB, through an HTPC? I will still have a STB of course, but I'm wondering if I could build a system that would kind of replace the STB as far as interface goes.

Yes. You need the Hauppauge HD-PVR (Amazon, $205) capture device which can capture (HD) video from your STB's component out.

Quote:
Originally Posted by vincent2722 View Post

After reading the other forums, it sounds like I can only get a handful of channels to watch and record directly through a custom built HTPC. Is this true?

If you connect the TV tuner such as the HDHomeRun, AverMedia Duet, Hauppauge HVR-2250, etc directly to the well, then yes, you're pretty much limited to the digital cable channels (QAM) that your cable provider doesn't encrypt and the analog cable channels if your tuner supports analog (NTSC). In our area, the only channels that are not encrypted are the same ones you can get via antenna

Quote:
Originally Posted by vincent2722 View Post

I would probably run Vista Home Premium or Windows 7 Premium on the new system, and have a somewhat healthy budget for a TV Tunder card. Any advice or suggestions (including alternative options) would be really helpful before I go an dish out the cash for this stuff. Just would love to have a custom system that I could use to watch TV and not lose any non-premium channels that I would normally recieve through a STB. Right now, I get pretty much all the channels except the premium movie channels (HBO, Showtime etc.)

Again, currently doable with the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

However, companies such as Ceton and Hauppauge will soon be releasing new CableCARD tuners which is a much more elegant solution than capturing from the analog component out on your cable box. One of the benefits is you only need one CableCARD and one multi-tuner card to be able to record multiple channels so I suggest you wait a bit before finalizing your build. With the Hauppauge HD-PVR solution, you'd need a capture card and an STB for every channel/show you want to record/watch at the same time.

If you're looking to save money, though, don't bother. It'll take some time before you recoup your costs with the $5~10/box you're paying the cable company.
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post #5 of 13
10/24/09 at 5:38am
Thread Starter 
Thanks ilovejedd!! Finally some clarity! Just a couple follow-up questions, if you don't mind.

It sounds like the HD-PVR will record only what is showing on my TV, is that correct? Meaning it would only be able to see the primary tuner in my STB, and if I wanted to record something while I'm away, I'd have to set the channel before I leave?

Would this be where an IR blaster would come in handy?

The CableCARD tuners definitely have my interest, but I have a feeling that they may not be very affordable for a while. The price for an HD-PVR sits at about the upper end of my budget.

Thanks again!
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post #6 of 13
10/24/09 at 6:07am
An HTPC really isn't for you right now if you are looking for a STB replacement. Cable companies are encrypting more and more channels everyday.

It is potluck to begin with trying to get clear QAM through an HTPC. And these are the channels that you most likely can get over the air anyway (ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX etc). All those other channels from the weather channel to comcast sportsnet to lifetime to TBS to HBO and such are going to be encrypted.

The only possible way to get all these to work right now is to use a cable card which are in short supply and run about $200 at the moment. AND THEN, you have to get it work with your cable company. This could be as easy as plugging it in or spending weeks talking to techs who have no idea what they are talking about.

HTPC are still not as easy to use as SAs. They may never be.

I would look at an HTPC as something you would like to work on rather than a solution to a problem.
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post #7 of 13
10/26/09 at 4:55am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice BJ, very helpful! With all this in mind I may just build one to hold my movie collection and use as a DVD player for now, and table the cable portion of it until things develop a bit more.

Thanks again everyone!
Vincent
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post #8 of 13
10/26/09 at 7:42am
The hd-pvr requires that you still have a box from the cable co, however it is able to record anything that your box displays.

The hd-pvr output then goes into your computer and your computer acts as a dvr. So your computer would then be hooked up to your tv. The ir-blaster or another solution would be necessary for your computer to control the cable box's channel changes.

Its a bit kludgey but it does allow recording all hd-channels right now.
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post #9 of 13
10/26/09 at 9:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Servicetech571 View Post

Right now it's a real PITA to get premium cable channels through a HTPC. That is supposed to change once cable card tuners are released.

False. Cable Card tuners have been out for a while and they are relatively easy to setup.
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post #10 of 13
10/26/09 at 11:56am
Thread Starter 
Hmmm... Scallica, can you identify a couple for me please? I searched Google and found the ATI one which is sold out at Amazon currently, but available elsewhere for quite a bit more money.

Are there any others you know of?? Are they more expensive than the ATI?

Thanks!
Vincent
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post #11 of 13
10/26/09 at 1:42pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Scallica View Post

False. Cable Card tuners have been out for a while and they are relatively easy to setup.

Realitively easy if you know where to find the hacks to make it happen.

If you handed one to my father there is Zero chance he could get it working, and he can build his own PC.
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post #12 of 13
10/26/09 at 4:37pm
If you build a HTPC with an OCUR compliant motherboard (ie. media live) and use a ATI DCT it's pretty simple. I got my DCT from Dell for $200. I think anyone that can build a HTPC would be able to get it working with the hack as well.
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post #13 of 13
10/26/09 at 7:35pm
With a cablecard tuner and Windows you get all the channels you'd get on an STB.* What you don't get are on-demand or pay per view. If your cable company's STB does fancy things like widgets (FIOS) then you don't get that either.

However, at least for me that is a small price to pay for *completely* ditching the cable company boxes in favor of the awesomeness that is Win7 Media Center.

Also, when it comes to cablecards, Comcast is one of the good guys. At least in my area (Seattle) they are well-versed in DIYers, readily handing out cablecards to those who want them, and providing pretty good tech support to get them activated.

However do I agree with the notion that an HTPC can easily become a hobby, not a solution.

* The OP mentioned Comcast, which does not use SDV. If your cable co uses SDV then things get a little more complicated. But Win7 is supposed to have a solution for that too, any minute now.
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