HTPC-TiVO-SnapStream Question--Baffled!!!!

[J4M3S0N79]

I am putting together a HTPC box and I want to be able to record all of my favorite shows. I understand that SnapStream and XP-MCE can accomplish this by using a TV capture card and archiving the shows in MPEG2...or WMV or whatever...not important. What baffles me is that you need to connect the cable to your computer right? But all of my channels are scrambled and I need to run it through my cable box....meaning that I need to have my cable box on to watch HBO and other premiums....even comedy central. How can my HTPC record these scrambled channels? What if I have digital cable...I am not sure how the whole thing works.

Thnx

m

 

[djnes]

You'd need to buy a much more expensive digital cable TV Tuner card. But, as with all digital cable I have seen...the other TVs in the house get regular basic cable...so you could use it off one of those jacks.

 

[EvermoreSG]

Straight from Snapstream's FAQ:

2.4 Is Beyond TV 3 compatible with digital cable or satellite television setups?
Yes. Beyond TV 3 uses your digital cable or satellite set-top box to convert the digital signal it receives into an analog signal. To control the set-top box, Beyond TV uses either: 1) An infrared (IR) transceiver, which duplicates the functions of a remote control, or 2) a cable that connects one of your computer's serial (COM) ports to the "low speed data" port located on the back of your set-top box.

Read all about it here

 

[KaosDG]

You'd have to get an IR Blaster of some sort.

Basically, the HTPC software (Snapstream, whatever) says "Ok, change to channel 284" and then sends out the appropriate command to an IR Signal generator.
The IR emitter is pointed at the IR reciever on your Cable box, and voila... it changes the channel.

You can buy one at newegg for like ~30 bucks. http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=80-100-201&depa=0



If you had a satellite (DirecTV) box, you can simply connect a serial cable to do the same thing. (I use DirecTV, that's how I've done it)

 

[Spud911]

You need to run it through your cable box and into the capture card.

On most Cable boxes there is a serial connection that you can hook a cable between your computer and the box. You can then run a program on your computer (just google for one) which will change the channels on your cable box for you.

Sorry I can't be more specific, I have a similar setup but I am running Mythtv in Linux.


Spud

 

[J4M3S0N79]

OK,
So this totally bl0w$!

So I understand that if you do the IR Blaster/Serial Cable route, you will then have to use the RCA video inputs and not the CAT4 coax cable which in turn means that you will only be setting a time for the PVR to record and not a channel.

This all sucks really badly! But thanks!

M

 

[KaosDG]

Originally posted by Mysogonist
OK,
So this totally bl0w$!

So I understand that if you do the IR Blaster/Serial Cable route, you will then have to use the RCA video inputs and not the CAT4 coax cable which in turn means that you will only be setting a time for the PVR to record and not a channel.

This all sucks really badly! But thanks!

M

Not exactly.

The PVR software will download your channel line-up, with channel numbers.

The software takes note of the times & channel that you want to record... when the time comes, it will send out the proper channel number to the IR emitter.

It's as if you stood there at 8:00pm and changed the channel on your cable remote.

Some Digital tuner cards also may not (read: almost definitely) descramble premium channels like HBO, skin-emax, etc (my neighbor bought one, and he can only get the basic cables channels even though he pays through the nose for everything)