Multi-tuner HD cable-TV set-top-box options

[BonzaiDuck]

This may be the best forum for posting this query, but I give focus to the concerns of HTPC builders among the enthusiast community, or those who want to integrate HTPC duty for the high-end over-clocked gaming systems.

I insist on integrating our TV subscription with -- first -- my own computer, and -- second -- the option for TV-access by other computers connected to the same LAN. But the LAN option isn't the main imperative, or -- it can be deferred.

We have in this house 3 "legacy" or tube-type TVs, one HDTV, two "digital" SD cable receivers/set-top-boxes, one HD set-top-box and a LAN with three frequently-used workstations and a WHS server. Our cable-TV service -- just upgraded to HD with continued SD inclusion/operation -- is bundled with our high-speed internet. The LAN includes one wireless/wired CISCO router and as many as two Ethernet switches in addition to the switch included in the CISCO.

I wanted HD input to my own workstation with DVR capability through Media Center using a WinTV-HVR-2250 PCI-E card, but it will only connect to my HD set-top via coax, and I now discover that the set-top only transmits 480p SD through its coax jack.

In process of wanting an "HD" solution with DVR that is PC-based, I became familiar with such things as "CableCard" rental from my TV/inet provider and multi-tuner devices shown in my links below. My cable-TV/inet provider rents cableCARDs at $2/mo each. SiliconDust responded quickly to an inquiry I sent, telling me that many of my provider's customers use their HomeRun PRIME (triple-tuner) device in my area, and explaining the minor problems people had with making the connection successful.

I'm now looking at the SiliconDust HDHR3-CC HomeRun PRIME, and the Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...omerun%20prime

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116072

Turns out, the Hauppauge product was built in collaboration with SiliconDust, and is essentially a 2-tuner version of the 3-tuner HomeRun PRIME. The Hauppauge connects through USB 2.0, while the HomeRun PRIME connects via USB 2 or Ethernet.

I can't make up my mind about these, and would also be interested in other similar options before placing an order. The ability to provide HD premium content to more than one computer in the house is a definite plus. Nobody other than myself has been inclined to replace their old TVs with HDTVs, so making it available on our LAN -- not necessary -- but certainly a "plus."

But my main goal was to use such a device to make my own workstation a DVR and integrate my HDTV and subscription with Windows Media Center.

Any intelligence out there from users, gurus, etc.?

 

[notposting]

I have the non-CC version, the standard HDHomerun. It's sweet.

You can share the tuners among different machines, it can go at the first cable split for good signal strength, and it is stackable (keep adding multiple devices for more tuners as needed).

Not sure about any differences with the Prime, but you should be able to check that out pretty quick.

It's integrated with our HTPC running 7MC and functioning as a DVR, the Media Center Extenders use it as well (not sure if routed through the HTPC first though).

Needless to say, I like the Silicon Dust device--they also have a pretty lively support forum for help as well.

 

[Fallen Kell]

notposting,

The difference between what you have and the prime is that the prime will also record HD. It also has a lot more restrictions depending on what the cable/satelite provider/broadcaster has configured on their systems. Channels that are flagged as copy-once will produce a DRM encrypted file which will only playback on the system that created it (and possibly MS media extenders attached to that system). This is true of all cablecard devices, not just the prime. If the channel (or even show) is not flagged, then it will make just a normal recording that you can transcode/copy/do-whatever-you-want with. The Prime also requires Win7 MC (like all cablecard tuners).

I have been hesitant to upgrade to a Prime. I currently just use a Hauppauge HD-PVR which requires a set-top-box, but the end result is that I can do whatever I want with my recordings, no matter if the broadcaster or provider flags the show/channel as copy-once or not.

More and more shows have started to be flagged, including things on regular broadcast stations like ABC/CBS/NBC/Fox/WB...

 

[BonzaiDuck]

notposting,

The difference between what you have and the prime is that the prime will also record HD. It also has a lot more restrictions depending on what the cable/satelite provider/broadcaster has configured on their systems. Channels that are flagged as copy-once will produce a DRM encrypted file which will only playback on the system that created it (and possibly MS media extenders attached to that system). This is true of all cablecard devices, not just the prime. If the channel (or even show) is not flagged, then it will make just a normal recording that you can transcode/copy/do-whatever-you-want with. The Prime also requires Win7 MC (like all cablecard tuners).

I have been hesitant to upgrade to a Prime. I currently just use a Hauppauge HD-PVR which requires a set-top-box, but the end result is that I can do whatever I want with my recordings, no matter if the broadcaster or provider flags the show/channel as copy-once or not.

More and more shows have started to be flagged, including things on regular broadcast stations like ABC/CBS/NBC/Fox/WB...

Well . . . I put in my order for the SiliconDust HDHomeRun PRIME -- the HDHR3-CC. I found a reseller pricing it at $20 less than the Egg with free shipping. I'll have to reconnect my spare Netgear LAN switch, but otherwise, that's one less stiff cable plugged into my computer. We wired the house with gigabit-ethernet, and the machine doing HTPC duty is part of that wired network. I'm very optimistic.

I couldn't exclude the more expensive PRIME, even though the Hauppauge unit does what I'd originally aimed at. The Hauppauge requires a USB connection to the computer -- likely requiring me to purchase ANOTHER "powered" 20' USB cable. With this, there are no extra cables -- USB, coax or other -- to the computer. It also allows me to offer a spare channel to a computer upstairs, even if I'm recording one and viewing a second downstairs.

I hope I'm right! The tech-support from both SiliconDust and Charter inspire my confidence. Aversion to cable-clutter notwithstanding, I can probably leave the Hauppauge HVR-2250 PCI-e card in my machine, and run a coax from an HD OTA antenna through my surge protector. I'll have to see if I really want to do that, because I really don't "need" to do it . . .

I think we evolve with our prejudices. It makes less sense to me -- as inveterate PC builder -- to spend big bucks on my entertainment system without integrating the computers and the LAN. Why buy a DVD or BD recorder/player as a typical HT component, when you have the capability on a computer? And why depend on the cable-provider's "Tivo" solution and pay monthly equipment rental into perpetuity?

On the WDRM issues mentioned by Fallen_Kell -- I'd noticed exactly the same thing when I attempted to move MSDVR recordings from the old computer to the new one. I can live with that, I suppose. Interesting, that the HD-PVR offers that dimension of flexibility. I thought the reviews for that item were a bit lackluster.

 

[notposting]

Just as a side note, I record (am this moment actually) in HD with the HDHR. It records clear-QAM (unecrypted cable) and ATSC (OTA broadcast). We just have the Limited Basic with Comcast so we get all the networks in HD through them...works great.

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Just as a side note, I record (am this moment actually) in HD with the HDHR. It records clear-QAM (unecrypted cable) and ATSC (OTA broadcast). We just have the Limited Basic with Comcast so we get all the networks in HD through them...works great.

My bro' and sis-in-law never followed through in integrating their entertainment center with their LAN. But they've apparently been able to burn DVDs of recordings from their TIVO device using a dedicated DVD-recorder -- I think it was a Toshiba. And I've run into the same troubles as Fallen Kell when trying to burn DVDs of recordings. The Jack-Valenti-media-Nazis have been creeping up on us, influencing hardware and digital content. But I'll be glad if I can simply use my PC as a DVR to record in HD.

I started down the wrong track by replacing my AverMedia M780 tuner-capture card with the Hauppauge HVR-2250. I can still use it, but there are only three ways to go for input: connect an HD antenna; connect the coax without the set-top-box to get "basic-cable" stations in HD; or run a coax to the set-top's coax output to get 480p SD. I can record all channels including premiums in SD, but as much as I'm stunned by the clarity of the picture, it's not HD.