[Maggot]

I am C-Bander aiming to timeshift HDTV- by 4DTV, and OTA-VHF [I just don't know what to call that anymore- so do go ahead and correct me.]


Currently I have my old IRDs (Monterey's & Houston Tracker's) in my basement and have switched (a compromise, IMO, for eventual C-band HD access)

to a Motorola "4DTV" model 922 plus their model HDD200 "decoder".


A Sony KV-30HS420 (HD ready CRT ) is arriving next week.

I'd like to configure a PC to be my HD tuner for OTA HD (I'm 30 miles

north of NYC).

But in addition to HD tuner I urgently need my hardware to record HDD so I can timeshift: for I timeshift *everything* ... have done so these 20

years, with racks of VCRs (ED-Beta, Hi8, & SVHS) to do it.

I never watch anything at all in real time. *Never!* .

So Time shifting is a very high priority to me, and I'm highly motivated to retain that flexibility with HD from C-band & - to lesser extent- also VHF broadcast HD.

("OTA"?)


I do build my own PCs so I'm not scared to do that stuff... but there

are a lot of cards and I'm confused abt their comparative merits. "MyHD" "SasemOnAir" "Fusion" etc.

Do the AVS members show any consensus abt these PCI cards?


Please advise me some, shoot me a link or a few to bring me to speed? I'm anxious to do this right- and looking forward to what may be a fun project.


Thanks a bunch,

Dean "Maggot"

dasATdrnoseDOTnet

 

[mjones73]

I'd suggest you check the Home Theater Computers forum for information related to PC options.

 

[bfdtv]

Maggot,


The PC cards are for recording VHF/UHF broadcast signals. Time shifting is not going to be easy with HD content content on c-band, but you may be able to get a $1000 modification to your HDD200 to add a Firewire output.

 

[HDHTPC]

The thing bfdtv talks about is from www.169time.com

 

[Maggot]

Sweet Jesus!


As bfdTV predicted, the 16:9 folks want us to ship them our HDD200 decoder for a costly mod.

Q Is this the penalty for early adopting?

No- the penalty appears when your wife finds out what you did.


I have buyer's remorse before I finish reading this 169 website... part of the fun *I* get from early adopting is the notion that I'm saving some money by my "DIY" know-how and courage.


But... it hardly seems the same when the "extensive know-how" in question is to understand what the experts will do to your rig after you ship it to them, adding up how much the various steps wi'll cost, how long you must wait, and praying it'll work when you get it-- When you are buying their work it seems unlikely you can feel condifident at maintaining it yourself!


It's a rant, I know...sorry! But Here we skip over the usually nice phase where an enthusiast can feel good about being rewarded for his researches - we go instead straight to the dilletante where you pay a lot and barely understand what the techies put in your box .


AAAARRRRGGHH!!

 

[turls]

Timeshifting HD and C band do not go together. Any other option is going to be less headaches. Unfortunately, Motorola has decided they do not need to offer an integrated PVR, HD or not, for C band.


Is the programming you want to see in HD even available on C band?

 

[Maggot]

"Is the programming you want to see in HD even available on C band?"

Why sure it is!

Does that surprise you?

C-band is the original beta (to vhs) imho. I will dread to see it fade away as the big corps succeed it pizza dish promotions, so easily capitalizing on ad copy using "Digital blah blah" . The native sig is analog. Just as a photo in .raw will always be intrinsically superior to a .jpg, ...I like to get my data uncooked.

Then *I* cook it to *my* taste!

 

[turls]

What I'm saying is forget finding a good selection of anything besides premium movies in HD on 4DTV, and even some of those that are up there (like Cinemax) are incompatible with consumer equipment. It has nothing to do with quality, the fact is that you don't get ESPNHD, HDNet, InHD, BravoHD, TNTHD, etc. with 4DTV HD. And you most likely never will. It just seems a strange time unless you have very specific and narrow programming needs to jump as an "early adopter" into C band HDTV, especially considering your timeshifting requirements. You at least need to consider getting a MPEG2/FTA HD receiver as well if you are serious about it. (Forget timeshifting that content as well).


I realize you are dedicated to C band, that was obvious from your first post. But the native signal is not analog in the 4DTV world. It can be overcompressed just like the rest, just somewhat less likely for it to happen.

 

[CKNA]

Quote:

Originally posted by Maggot "Is the programming you want to see in HD even available on C band?" Why sure it is! Does that surprise you? C-band is the original beta (to vhs) imho. I will dread to see it fade away as the big corps succeed it pizza dish promotions, so easily capitalizing on ad copy using "Digital blah blah" . The native sig is analog. Just as a photo in .raw will always be intrinsically superior to a .jpg, ...I like to get my data uncooked. Then *I* cook it to *my* taste!

Native signal was analog. HD on C-band is digital and more and more SD channels are switching to digital. Analog is going away. Of course on C-band you get signal that is sent by provider which may be better than D* or E* or cable co since they recompress some HD channels.


You can't also get all the channels from C-band. For example HDNet, HDNet Movies, INDH and INHD2.

 

[bullgates]

did you read your PM?

 

[Maggot]

Bull: did you read your PM? -bullgates


Yeah damnit I just spent almost an hour on your billets doux!

Sorry the delay, bro.

 

[Maggot]

Matt wrote me (in part):

"..It just seems a strange time unless you have very specific and narrow programming needs to jump as an "early adopter" into C band HDTV, especially considering your timeshifting requirements. You at least need to consider getting a MPEG2/FTA HD receiver as well if you are serious about it. (Forget timeshifting that content as well)."


LOL, touché !!

I take your excellent point, Matt -

and very nicely put, too.


Oh gees what can I do?

If I concede my shameful C-band pride, the arrogance of my awful analog snobbism... is there any refuge for this repentant scoundrel?

The timeshifting is non-negotiable: I will never *ever* be willing to return to

the days where I set *my personal* schedule to suit the announced schedule of a broadcast. C-banders are all excited abt a LGE LST-3410A.

But- that's just VHF.

I think.

I'd give up on HDTV entirely before I'd... run home so as to watch Dallas (in HD) at 9pm.


Am I asking for too much?

Should I rush to get in on the 169.com "10/31 sale" so I can get by with just $1k to have them mod my HDD200 so it'd work with a D-VHS I don't yet own?


I was born too early. By 2020 this will all have been figured out. (Just in time for The Big One, no doubt.)

 

[CKNA]

Quote:

Originally posted by Maggot Matt wrote me (in part): "..It just seems a strange time unless you have very specific and narrow programming needs to jump as an "early adopter" into C band HDTV, especially considering your timeshifting requirements. You at least need to consider getting a MPEG2/FTA HD receiver as well if you are serious about it. (Forget timeshifting that content as well)." LOL, touché !! I take your excellent point, Matt - and very nicely put, too. Oh gees what can I do? If I concede my shameful C-band pride, the arrogance of my awful analog snobbism... is there any refuge for this repentant scoundrel? The timeshifting is non-negotiable: I will never *ever* be willing to return to the days where I set *my personal* schedule to suit the announced schedule of a broadcast. C-banders are all excited abt a LGE LST-3410A. But- that's just VHF. I think. I'd give up on HDTV entirely before I'd... run home so as to watch Dallas (in HD) at 9pm. Am I asking for too much? Should I rush to get in on the 169.com "10/31 sale" so I can get by with just $1k to have them mod my HDD200 so it'd work with a D-VHS I don't yet own? I was born too early. By 2020 this will all have been figured out. (Just in time for The Big One, no doubt.)

Yes, get 169time mod. It is on sale now. That is the only way you will be able to record some HD and do some timeshifting using DVHS.

 

[HookedOnTV]

I think a better option is coming. The R5000 folks are working on their mod for the HDD200. This mod provides a USB output to a PC (Windows). No need for DVHS. While I don't have first knowledge and the operation of either this vs the 169 the impression I get from the majority of what I have read the R5000 sounds like a more straight forward solution. And who wants to use tapes.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=409442


Towards the end of the tread there is mention of the work being done for the HDD200.

 

[Maggot]

"...a better option is coming" -H.O.TV


Oh, bless you, Mr Hooked!

I agree that the "169" solution seems - well, inelegant at best. There is hope in the future.

I have already posted my cordial encouragement to the gent in question.

(No doubt I shall be hearing from his lawyer presently.)


BTW, is this LST3410A as exciting a piece of work as it seems? I believe it is a hard disk drive + ATSC tuner in a box that would answer the needs of a tuner-less guy who wants to receive and timeshift OTA HD programming.

Or is there sufficient reason to hope for an integrated solution (OTA and satellite) so that folks are not yet enthusiastic for buying (what may soon seem to be) "separates" ?


best, Maggs