So here is where I get confused...

[Maiyr]

Hi all,

I want to replace my current FIOS DVR with my HTPC and I want to connect my roof mounted antenna to my HTPC as well to receive my local HD channels. I want to be able to record from either FIOS or the ATSC and I want everything to be internal on the HTPC.

So I think I need something like

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2255.html

and

http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-6-pcie/

Am I even close?

Will XBMC just auto-magically see that I have these two cards and aggregate it all together in the guide for browsing channels and for setting up recorded shows to watch?

Thanks,

Maiyr

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Hi all,

I want to replace my current FIOS DVR with my HTPC and I want to connect my roof mounted antenna to my HTPC as well to receive my local HD channels. I want to be able to record from either FIOS or the ATSC and I want everything to be internal on the HTPC.

So I think I need something like

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2255.html

and

http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-6-pcie/

Am I even close?

Will XBMC just auto-magically see that I have these two cards and aggregate it all together in the guide for browsing channels and for setting up recorded shows to watch?

Thanks,

Maiyr

I became a purist -- leaning toward simplification of hardware and software to avoid problems. So I never tried XBMC, once I had Media Center working.

What I CAN tell you is this. I have the Hauppauge HVR-2250 (before the 2255 "improvement") in the PCI-E x1 slot on the CPU side of the default dGPU slot. I have a SiliconDust HD HomeRun Prime triple-tuner with cablecard attached to my network switch.

Media Center recognizes both tuners (Hauppauge and Silly-dust) -- integrating all the scanned channels from both into its menu.

Where there is overlap, MC manages it. So, if the SiliconDust device registers a "channel 2," the Hauppauge also provides an OTA broadcast "channel 2," and it shows up in the MC channel lineup as 2.1. If it so happens that my OTA HD antenna picks up channel 2 in San Diego as well as channel 2 in Los Angeles, the channel lineup will show "2," "2.1" and "2.2" etc.

 

[Maiyr]

Thanks you BonzaiDuck! Now I know how to proceed.

Maiyr

 

[BonzaiDuck]

Thanks you BonzaiDuck! Now I know how to proceed.

Maiyr

I never really had a problem with a scenario described in my precaution as follows. But I'd follow a three-stage process. 1) Make sure your system, Windows and software are running without a hitch -- clean up the errors and warnings in the event logs. 2) Install the Hauppauge device, and make sure it's working perfectly. There had been reports here and there of problems with the Hauppauge drivers. Personally, I never experienced any that I can be sure of. 3) Connect to your Silly-Dust (or Ceton -- I recommend the SiliconDust HD HR Prime); run its software for the tuner test and channel scan; then set up your HT/media-center software to incorporate both tuner devices.

I was just very lucky in how this all shook out for me -- very wary about using "multiple devices" or "complications." But it worked without a hitch -- really . . .