TV Tuner questions

[CurseTheSky]

I've been playing with the idea of watching cable on my desktop for a while. Now, I think I'm going to finally go for it (under a few conditions).

First, I heard that TV tuners will not work with digital cable. I have digital cable... will I be wasting my time? If I'd still get basic-extended cable (or whatever they call it, usually ~70 channels) I'd be happy. Also, is there anything coming in the near future that will make current TV tuners not work (the switch to digital cable in 2009)?

Next, I'm assuming I can just use a splitter on the coax cable before it reaches my regular cable box. Will I be losing quality doing this (is there a better way)?

Finally, assuming TV tuners are going to work with digital cable / be around for a while, which tuners are the most popular?

I'm really hoping it's as simple as installing the card, hooking up the coax, and enjoying cable on my desktop. I'll be using this on the desktop in my signature, Dell 2408WFP, and Charter Digital Cable.

Thanks.

 

[CKent]

Not sure about the digital thing. I have Cablevision, a small provider in the ny/nj/ct tristate area so my experience may differ from yours. If I just plug in the cable to a TV I miss out on probably ~90% of the channels I get with a box. Further, the numbering is all different; YES is channel 70 with the box, 17 without, for example. Last, when I tried plugging the cable right into my tuner card, I got nothing. I didn't fiddle with it much though, perhaps I could have gotten it working *shrug*.

More importantly, as I understand it there's only one PC tuner out there with component inputs, and it's an expensive external box. If you're looking for hi-def on your PC, for all intents and purposes you'll be limited to a tuner card, which of course will require you to live within broadcast range and can only watch over-the-air signals in hi-def. I've read that boxes with firewire ports, like mine (SA 4250HD), can be made to work with a PC for hi-def, but I've had no luck so far despite much fiddling.

The only saving grace of the giant heap of shit called HDTV is that most of it is not worth watching anyway. Reality shows about aging hasbeens, people singing badly and getting yelled at for it by Paula Abdul, people eating slugs... You'd have to have an IQ under 75 to find this stuff entertaining.

On the other hand if standard definition is fine with you, the output from your cable box should work flawlessly over S-video or composite, which most cards have inputs for.

 

[sswingle]

Most of the time you can get analog cable if you pay for digital. Plug the coax directly into your tv and find out.
I have this card: http://www.hauppauge.com/pages...ts/data_pvr500mce.html
Which is nice because I can record 2 shows at once and its hardware encoding. Also does FM and composite inputs.

If you wanted to still use the box, as CKent mentioned, some you can use the firewire out on. Highly depends on the box though.
If you dont mind changing the channels manually, you can plug it into the composite connection on the box I linked to above.
Yet another option is an IR blaster, which plugs into the USB port and then sends the IR signal to the box to change the channel as needed.

And of course if you use the box, you can only record 1 show per box
Or, plug the box in for 1 input, and split the coax and use analog for a second input.

As far as splitting your coax, you aren't going to hurt the quality much by doing so, unless the line has already been split a lot before it gets to you. If that is the case, you can buy powered splitters to amp the signal back up.

 

[CKent]

Woot! I had pretty much lost interest and put it on a to-do list, but your post made me fiddle some more and I got hi-def on my pc now through firewire. I'm using the drivers from here and viewing it through VLCplayer. Unfortunately dscaler doesn't seem to want to play nice, and so the interlacing is visible (though not too bad) during scenes with high amounts of movement. More fiddling to come

 

[WoodButcher]

I have a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150, a year or two old running Vista home premium on my sig system. I plugged in the card to the pci slot, hooked up the cable and vista did the rest. I have the local programming guide, all the channels, HD, scheduled recording utilities, all kinds of neat goodies that were not available with XP and the Hauppauge software. With my new Gateway 24" HD display it's just awesome. I have all the ammenities that the cable box / DVR had and then some. one thing I don't have is 12 remotes! I'm debating a blueray for my PC but it isn't high on my list.

I have a good friend with the digital box and a new Vizio 37" LCD. He went to Sears and like a good consumer bought everything he was told to,,, called Comcast, got the box rewired the cable, did every thing to the 9's, my buddy is extremely anal retentive, his whole purpose in this mess was to get a good picture and get rid if the lines when watching a movie formatted in wide screen. Boy is he pissed. He never asked and no one told him, on a WS TV normal programming has bars on the side!

After my bud saw my setup he wanted to cry.

 

[CKent]

Yeah but how much did Vista cost?

 

[WoodButcher]

$109, it's ten less now. http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16832116202

 

[CurseTheSky]

I'm running Vista x64, if that makes a difference.

I mainly want to make sure I'm not going to buy this, enjoy it for a while, and suddently be down to 20 channels (or worse, none) when something switches to digital. I don't know how much of that was just a rumor; I'm kind of left in the dark here.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

 

[WoodButcher]

Had I any faith in vista when I bought it I would have gotten the 64 as well! Windows media center setup my TV tuner, drivers and all. I was concerned my older TV card wouldn't play nice w/ vista and was pleasantly surprised.
As far as the digital signal goes we're fine. I'm currently in the process of switching all my services to Comcast, phone, web and TV (currently ATT, SBC and Comcast) and had several of the same questions but my big concern was did I need to have a cable box on every TV? I don't like rentals and don't want anymore remotes! The only thing you need the box for is pay per view and their DVR, BULLS***! PPV stinks and I have DVD/RW so I'm not paying extra to clutter my house w/ their junk, and increase my elec bill. I think the only thing that may cut the channel lineup short are the older model televisions, cable ready, 120 channel or the antiques and for this you need the box.

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: WoodButcher
I have a Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150, a year or two old running Vista home premium on my sig system. I plugged in the card to the pci slot, hooked up the cable and vista did the rest. I have the local programming guide, all the channels, HD, scheduled recording utilities, all kinds of neat goodies that were not available with XP and the Hauppauge software. With my new Gateway 24" HD display it's just awesome. I have all the ammenities that the cable box / DVR had and then some. one thing I don't have is 12 remotes! I'm debating a blueray for my PC but it isn't high on my list.

I have a good friend with the digital box and a new Vizio 37" LCD. He went to Sears and like a good consumer bought everything he was told to,,, called Comcast, got the box rewired the cable, did every thing to the 9's, my buddy is extremely anal retentive, his whole purpose in this mess was to get a good picture and get rid if the lines when watching a movie formatted in wide screen. Boy is he pissed. He never asked and no one told him, on a WS TV normal programming has bars on the side!

After my bud saw my setup he wanted to cry.

You get HD with an analog only tuner? Vista must be magical!

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: CurseTheSky
I'm running Vista x64, if that makes a difference.

I mainly want to make sure I'm not going to buy this, enjoy it for a while, and suddently be down to 20 channels (or worse, none) when something switches to digital. I don't know how much of that was just a rumor; I'm kind of left in the dark here.

Thanks for the suggestions so far.

Cable will have analog for years to come. Its just over the air that's losing analog.

 

[Slugbait]

Link

 

[sswingle]

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Link

Not true

Time Warner:
http://www.timewarnercable.com...Cable/dtv/default.html
"Are you Digital Transition (DTV) ready?
As long as your televisions are connected to Time Warner Cable service, you?ll continue to enjoy all your favorite channels and shows after the digital transition. We?ve got you covered!"

Cox:
http://www.cox.com/support/cable/transition_main.asp
"Cox recognizes that some customers will still have analog-only TVs at this cut-off date. Therefore, Cox will continue to offer analog broadcast signals for at least three years after this deadline for those customers that have not upgraded all TVs to Cox Digital Cable. The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format. "

Comcast:
http://www.comcast.com/Custome...ategory.ashx?CatId=520
"If I have an older, analog television, will I have to throw it away after February 17, 2009?

No, you will not have to throw away your older, analog television. You have several options, including:

* Purchasing a digital-to-analog converter to use with your current TV(s). Digital-to-analog converters should be available in retail outlet stores in early 2008.
* Purchasing a new digital TV (still requires an antenna)
* Subscribing to Comcast or another pay-TV service provider. Comcast has service options starting as low as $15 per month with no equipment required. "

 

[WoodButcher]

Originally posted by: sswingle

You get HD with an analog only tuner? Vista must be magical!

Yes , I am now, confused!

I don't know where I saw it but I went back and found my literature and your right, thanks for the heads up. From the sounds of what I've been reading I'll need a set top box or card to descramle on every TV or PC thanks to comcast.

 

[sswingle]

You shouldn't need to. See my links above. Granted, it can end at any time, but I think even the evil cable companies are smart enough to not cut off a large portion of their customers without plenty of notice.

 

[Slugbait]

Originally posted by: sswingle

Originally posted by: Slugbait
Link

Not true

Absolutely true.

It was nice of you to include a link to Time Warner, but that information was already available on the link I provided:

So far, some services ? such as Time Warner ? have indicated that its analog signal won't be shut down any time soon. Robyn Watson, spokeswoman for the company, said its 3 million analog "basic cable" consumers won't see any changes in service.

It was nice of you to provide a link to Cox, but there is no information there. In fact, there is this disclaimer:

The signal will be down-converted from its digital format, enabling customers to receive digital broadcast programming in an analog format.

But to be completely fair, information about Cox analog service was already available on the link I provided:

"At the present time we feel offering analog service is a very customer-friendly approach," he said. While other video service providers such as satellite-based services require boxes for each TV set, cable analog signals give customers more choice, he said. (corrected quote)

From the website, if the Cox cable is hooked directly into your TV, there is no down-conversion, and therefore no picture. Which one is correct...the guy quoted at msnbc, or their website? We'll find out for sure in February.

It was especially nice of you to provide a link to Comcast, which was the crux of the story of which I provided a link to at msnbc...I wanted to point this out specifically because we still don't know OP's provider. Anyway, when you read thru the text at Comcast's site (which you also quoted), this sentence stands out in particular for the point I was trying to make, which you said is "not true":

Comcast has service options starting as low as $15 per month with no equipment required.

When reading this again, it becomes obvious that it was carefully scripted. Want the $15 package (called "Limited Cable")? That's right, no equipment required. Do you want your MTV? Like watching MNF, despite Kornheiser? Sorry, you need to pay for the larger package, plus rent a Comcast box after the switch...the Limited package only provides local network affiliates, local government stations, local educational stations, and...oh hey, this is cool...all the shopping channels.

Now this is kinda funny...directly below the Limited Cable description is the description for adding an HDTV package. The third sentence sez:

Enjoy crystal-clear primetime shows, sports and local broadcast channels ? without an antenna, or any other clunky equipment.

Then in the fourth sentence:

Just install the HD box, and...

If I wasn't a Comcast subscriber, I would say these are really funny guys!

 

[CurseTheSky]

My provider is Charter - last sentence in the original post.

Thanks for all of the information guys.

 

[eplebnista]

I've wondering if a hauppage 1600 or 1800 would be able to pick up the clearqam signals sent out by comcast myself. Basically looking to find a way to avoid having to rent a couple of their boxes for the basic digital cable package(almost the same channels as our current $53/m analog package just with more music channels and a handful of channels we used to get on analog but they moved to digital only).

 

[imported_jeb]

OK - you have answered this so now I ask the opposite -

How to get TV over the internet - without a cable company, just highspeed internet?

There are hundreds of sites on the net that sell and some give away programs you download that are suppose to pick up as many as 2000 channels.

Anyone tried them? Do they work? How hard to use?

How to then get to TV set as well as to monitor?

Ref the switch over in Feb to Digital - as our TV stations tell us there would be no change if you are using cable or sat TV - only if you use an antenna will you need a converter box which you can get up to 2 discount cards per household that give a 40 buck discount on the boxes.

Here is the web address for the cards - https://www.dtv2009.gov/

jb