Quote:
Originally Posted by HDTVMARTY /forum/post/18260873
Could someone explain more about the Hauppauge 1212 HD PVR. I understand that it has component inputs to it.
I have some questions about this machine.
1) Can I hook this up directly to my satellite receiver and get High Definition recordings?
2) What are the features and fuctions of what this machine can do?
3) Do I need a computer to use this machine?
4) What can I expect for this machine?
Thanks in advance for any information
There are a couple threads about the HDPVR in the HTPC section.
I'll try to answer your questions:
1. Yes, but you need to use a PC. It's just a video capture device, it does not have a tuner.
2. Hauppauge isn't the best company in the world for driver support/buggy free software, but it does work(I use Win7 x64). Basically you can capture 720p or 1080i video via component video output and 5.1/AC3 audio via optical. It converts the analog HD video(after all, component is analog) to digital, in the H.264 format. There are considerable space savings with H.264/MPEG4 over MPEG2. However there is a little quality loss from the analog to digital conversion. The quality that you capture in is adjustable in the software, the highest quality is pretty close to original, usually it looks a little bit soft. For what it does and it's price point, I find it to be acceptable.
3. See answers to above. Yes you do need a computer.
4. It's one of(if not the only) consumer level/priced devices that can capture 720p/1080i HD(along with the 6 channel audio) via component INPUT. It does have software, you cannot WRITE to Blu-Ray discs without purchasing the full version(Arcsoft Total Media). You can write to regular DVDs and make discs that are compadible with XBOX360 or PS3, or just plain AVCHD discs that play in most BluRay players.
This devices exploits what is called the "analog hole" in that current cable companies/sat providers do not have to encrypt analog outputs on customer devices. HD component output is analog, thus it does not have to be protected, like DVI/HDMI which is protected and cannot be recorded. Hollywood wants nothing more than to shut this hole, and has offered cable companies access to new releases nearly a week after being put in theaters, in exchange for them enabling copy protection on analog outputs of set top boxes. This would render every single HDTV without an HDMI input obsolete, and cause a HUGE uproar.