Looking for a Hidef Duel TV tuner

[boglwe]

I need a Tv tuner that can record two shows at once or watch one and record another at the same time. It also needs to be HiDef. I cant seem to find what I really want out there, I am sure there is something. Also, Once I pay for the Comcast Digital Hidef service, Is there a Card I can use OTHER THAN the DVR box that they supply.

Another question is, Do these TV tuners use the video cards output or have their own? if its S-video then, forget it, i will stick with my DVR box.

My goal is to save and burn many shows for personal use in Hidef if available.

Thanks to all those who read and responded to this thread in advance. So far, you folks here are simply amazing.

 

[Visual]

there probably are no dual tuners like that, but you can make up for that by just pluging two.

i'm not much into the know-how on this subject, what with not even living in a place where any digital tv is available.
but from the little i understand, there are several different systems for the encryption/decryption, and cable providers aren't to eager to standardize it and make it easy to decode without their proprietary boxes... so most(all?) digital tuners don't work with most(all?) encrypted channels from cable providers.

still, have a read at this thing: http://www.anandtech.com/video/showdoc.aspx?i=2959
likely it is still not available though, so don't get your hopes up.

 

[dclive]

Originally posted by: boglwe
I need a Tv tuner that can record two shows at once or watch one and record another at the same time. It also needs to be HiDef. I cant seem to find what I really want out there, I am sure there is something. Also, Once I pay for the Comcast Digital Hidef service, Is there a Card I can use OTHER THAN the DVR box that they supply.

Another question is, Do these TV tuners use the video cards output or have their own? if its S-video then, forget it, i will stick with my DVR box.

My goal is to save and burn many shows for personal use in Hidef if available.

Thanks to all those who read and responded to this thread in advance. So far, you folks here are simply amazing.

The HD Homerun (www.silicondust.com) will do exactly that...for (edit: NOT analog signals,) OTA HDTV signals, and via-cable QAM signals (which, for Comcast, might be quite a bit - I have Comcast and I get lots of QAM and PPV channels with my HD Homerun - all "free" with my $16/mo analog cable subscription.

TV tuners use your video card's output. Any somewhat recent card will be fine - think nVidia 6200 or higher... $29 on sale all the time. Get a 6600GT from TigerDirect for $29-$39 now if you like.

HD Homerun will take the QAM signal you get from Comcast and let you record all local channels in HD, plus it will capture whatever your provider offers in clearQAM, so you'll probably get another 20-30 channels - many in SD Digital, and some in HD digital.

 

[dclive]

Note that at no point in my post is your cable company's set-top-box tuner involved... the HD Homerun handles everything. Obviously that means it can't handle HBO and the premium channels...but if it's QAM and unencrypted, you'll get it.

 

[boglwe]

Originally posted by: dclive
Note that at no point in my post is your cable company's set-top-box tuner involved... the HD Homerun handles everything. Obviously that means it can't handle HBO and the premium channels...but if it's QAM and unencrypted, you'll get it.

But what if HBO is actually part of my Comcast subscription. I mean, I dont wanna cheat here, I just wanna get the channels I pay for. I understand your 2 posts completly and its EXACTLY the information i was looking for. I am jsut a tad confused about this whole HBO and other channels situation. Thanks so much for your information so far, I have already put that item in my checkout list, just waiting for your reply. What is QAM BTW? Whats PPV as well?

Check this out too. Will this work http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815100015

 

[dclive]

This product cannot read any digital signals except for clearQAM (google it ... wikipedia should have a writeup) so any PPV (pay per view) channels and any premium channels won't be clear, so won't be visible with this gizmo. If you need to be able to record HBO with VistaMCE, you'll typically need a cablecard of some type or simply use an analog tuner and control your cable box to record the signal via the analog tuner (ie you're back to needing the cable box).

 

[boglwe]

Check this out http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815100015 is that what you mean by cable card, i will do some research thought as well.

 

[dclive]

Nope; do a quick google on "cable card" and you'll see what I mean. PC Manufacturers have to ship the MCE boxes with this inside of it; you'll put the card from your provider into it, and you'll be able to decrypt the signal using the PC manufacturer's included tuner.

 

[boglwe]

AHhh, yea, I ead up on it. So what about this, Cable box into the computer? will that work, or should I just stick to my cable box to record Hidef channels? This is very confusing.

 

[dclive]

If you want a cable box you'll need to buy a new PC. If you are happy with analog 4:3 recordings (standard def), then an analog tuner, VistaMCE, and the infrared adapter so you can control your cable box (check the compatibility lists!) should be all you need.

 

[boglwe]

Well, it looks like, i will be sticking with my cable box then. I am building a new comp for gaming, and was thinking TV, but this is rediculous. heh. Thanks for all your help Dclive, really top notch information you gave me.