Capturing DirectTV

[beatle]

I'll preface this message by saying that I know very little about DirectTV.

I'm moving into a house where there is already DirectTV set up in one room. I'd like to be able to capture shows from it with my PC, but what sort of hardware will I need? I take it that a regular analog tuner will not cut it. Even taking an input from a receiver box will not allow me to tune with my computer and thus record while I'm away.

A search was less than productive for me than I expected (as usual). Suggestions are appreciated.

 

[Wingznut]

You need a video capture card, and then set it up for the times that you want to record. The onscreen guide on DirecTV can change the channels for you... You just checkmark the program that you want to see.

 

[beatle]

I don't think I quite follow. I understand I need a card, but what is there to tell DTV to change channels? Are there cards made to interface with the box/dish itself or am I missing something here?

 

[Wingznut]

The onscreen guide is software built into the DirecTV receiver. With the remote, you bring up the guide and there's a chart of what is on each channel. You can select whatever program you want, checkmark it, and it'll automatically switch to that channel when the time comes.

Screenshots of the onscreen guide.

 

[beatle]

Ah, that makes sense. I didn't know you could have the box tune to whatever channel you want.

On another note, there wouldn't happen to be a card that will tune DTV, would there?

 

[aka1nas]

I've wanted to do the same thing for a while now. What cards and or software would be required to accomplish this? I.E. I have a haupaugge WinTV theater card. Is there software that will allow this card to do timeshifting.

 

[Wingznut]

If you already have DirecTV, then you are probably better off getting the TiVo receiver from DirecTV.com... $99 installed is a helluva deal. Link

 

[aka1nas]

That doesn't helpif I want it on my computer though