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Worth it to buy another cable box for MCE?

686 Views 19 Replies 5 Participants Last post by walford, Dec 29, 2005

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · Dec 28, 2005

Here is my dilemma. I was previuosly using BTV, which supported 1 cable input and 1 direct (no set-top box) input. This was PERFECT for me. I have since moved on to MCE 2005, mainly so I can use my Xbox360 as an extender. To my surprise MCE 2005 does not support this setup! I can either connect 2 cable boxes, or I can connect 2 direct inputs, I cannot have 1 of each!

I currently only have 1 cable box, Comcast will charge me an extra $10 a month to rent out another one.

I have an HDTV and the HDTV cable box.

Here are my options:

1. Rent out another cable box. Put both on MCE.

+ Allows me to record movie channels above 99

- No HDTV

- $10 a month

2. Put my current box directly on my HDTV. Use direct (no set-top box) connections with MCE

+ Gives me HDTV (without MCE)

- Cannot record movie channels (or anything above 99)

I am leaning toward #2. I'd like to be able to use HDTV and On Demand again, but honestly the only time I use HDTV is when a sporting event is on. And I can still use On Demand with #1, I just have to be at the box to start the movie. How are you guys handling this? Which would you choose?

Edit: I am also aware of the hack that lets you use 1 set-top box and 1 direct connection, but it doesn't work smooth enough for prime-time multi-user home use.

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walford

· #2 · Dec 28, 2005

Since with an HDTV cable box you can only send S-video or RF coax to your MCE system which are both in SD 480i format even when an HD program is playing so there is no advantage is using MCE to watch the sports programs which can be send direct to your HDTV from your HDTV cable box in HD resolutions.

Do you have two tuners or a dual tuner on your MCE system if not you can not support 2 STBs.

How about if you connect your STB to your MCE tuner card with S-Video and audion and to your HDTV with a component or DVI/HDMI connection. Not all STBs support both outputs simultanously so you might have to disconnect a cable or make a setup change in your STB depending on which output you want to use.

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #3 · Dec 28, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by walford
Since with an HDTV cable box you can only send S-video or RF coax to your MCE system which are both in SD 480i format even when an HD program is playing so there is no advantage is using MCE to watch the sports programs which can be send direct to your HDTV from your HDTV cable box in HD resolutions.

Do you have two tuners or a dual tuner on your MCE system if not you can not support 2 STBs.

How about if you connect your STB to your MCE tuner card with S-Video and audion and to your HDTV with a component or DVI/HDMI connection. Not all STBs support both outputs simultanously so you might have to disconnect a cable or make a setup change in your STB depending on which output you want to use.

Yes I have 2 PVR-250's (and an ATI AIW that I don't use). I used to have my cable box setup to output HD to my TV and SVideo to my computer, but MCE FINALLY got my computer OUT of my living room! My computer is now performing TV-duties for my bedroom. I really need my computer to stay in my room, so I'm not considering lugging it back to the living room.

Bottomline - If my Comcast HD box is connected to my HDTV, then it will have to be away from my computer

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DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #4 · Dec 28, 2005

Put simply...Is it worth $10 extra a month to have an integrated interface and guide (but no HD) throughout your house, without having to switch inputs/remotes just to see what movies are playing?

Or is it better to keep your $10 a month, and have access to all HDTV channels, but give up the ability to record movies and be forced to constantly switch between your cable box and MCE? Oh yea, and since your cable box will only be hooked up to 1 TV, you won't be able to access your movie channels anywhere else

walford

· #5 · Dec 28, 2005

The separation between the TV location and the PC location obviously limits your options.

What if you upgrade the cable box to a a PVR box and connect it just to the TV that may be about the same cost as a second cable box.

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #6 · Dec 28, 2005

The Comcast DVR costs more and doesn't do what I want. I want to be able to access my recordings everywhere in the house, as well as put them on my Portable Media Center for my train rides to and from work.

Damn you MCE! Why can't you officially support 2 tuners with different guides!?

SportJimmy

· #7 · Dec 28, 2005

I think what you're looking for Dodge is location shifting from your Comcast DVR. Certainly a limitation of the middleware.

walford

· #8 · Dec 29, 2005

I guess that you just have to go back to BTV and do more homework before you purchase another solution next time.

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #9 · Dec 29, 2005

Well. After looking at my recordings, 99% of everything I record is taken from channels 0-99. I just put 2 direct connections to my MCE and kept the HD Cable Box on my HDTV. I think its better this way, I get On-Demand AND HDTV (why have it the HD Box and an HDTV if I'm not gonna use it?). I'm pretty happy with this setup. All of the movies I would consider recordings are there already with Starz ON Demand

Thanks for the input guys!

walford

· #10 · Dec 29, 2005

If you ever want to record HDTV you could get an HDTV tuner for your MCE PC which can receive local digital channels. Also next year MS Vista will include Cable Card support for MCE.

eggz

· #11 · Dec 29, 2005

I had a similar problem with slightly different solution. I gave up trying to replace the SD TiVO, which the family is VERY happy with, and let it control the cable box but record HDTV via firewire (watch via TT). Also have two tuners in MCE box to record channels 1-99, as if there was that much on that I really want to keep.

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #12 · Dec 29, 2005

I'm just going to wait for the CableCard capability to be available for recording HDTV. I don't believe FireWire recording is ready for PrimeTime yet (And theres the 5C stuff to worry about). I also have no interest in getting an OTA HD card, not worth it for me.

After using my current setup last night, I am happy with it. It will stay this way until CableCard is released. THEN I will be getting 2 boxes

ITGuy72

· #13 · Dec 29, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DodgeV83
It will stay this way until CableCard is released. THEN I will be getting 2 boxes

You mean 2 cards right

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #14 · Dec 29, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by ITGuy72
You mean 2 cards right

Well I'm hoping that the CableCard module will allow us to continue using our same cards, maybe through new drivers or something? ...Yea your right, thats wishfull thinking. Even if it was possible they'd still want our money by forcing us to buy new cards

Ok, so I'll be getting 2 boxes and most likely 2 new cards.

I'm just hoping I get a discount on Vista considering I just bought MCE 2005!

ITGuy72

· #15 · Dec 29, 2005

I hope I get a discount too, but knowing Microsoft that chance seems pretty slim.

I believe the idea with CableCard is you won't need any boxes, just the card (which by the way is a different card to those you slot into a settop box). The card goes into the interface in your PC (to be determined), and the cable company charges you something like $1.50/mo per card as opposed to $5 or $10/mo per box.

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #16 · Dec 29, 2005

That sounds interesting. I read that Vista's copy protection will be in hardware, and you will need an HDCP compliant screen to watch HDTV...but what about Xbox360? It currently only has component out! If they force me to use HDCP monitors to watch HDTV signals, then they'd better release a DVI out cord for my Xbox!

walford

· #17 · Dec 29, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DodgeV83
After using my current setup last night, I am happy with it. It will stay this way until CableCard is released. THEN I will be getting 2 boxes

If you get CableCard you don't need any boxes unless you want 2-way cable card which is not scheduled yet for MCE.

ITGuy72

· #18 · Dec 29, 2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by DodgeV83
you will need an HDCP compliant screen to watch HDTV...but what about Xbox360?

I think a lot of people are wondering the exact same thing. Not only that, but early plasma adopters like me only have component input!

DodgeV83

Discussion Starter · #19 · Dec 29, 2005

Opps, yea I just realized that hahaha.

I can't WAIT to get rid of these big boxes!

walford

· #20 · Dec 29, 2005

AFAIK the current generation of NVIDIA and ATI graphics cards with DVI output have the support required to meet the CableCard specifications for DRM. You will of course need the hardware to put the CableCard in and this may require a new Tuner. The initial CableCard support will be 1-way so you may want to keep a STB if you want 2-way support.

I expect that some CableCard units will be shown at CES next week in LasVegas and more details will then be avilable.

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