SageDCT and Homerun Prime question

[diodeut]

I was looking on moving my set up to a Prime 3cc unit from a 2250. My current HTPC that the 2250 is in is a XP pro machine. Does anyone know if the Prime unit and sageDCT combo run under XP or do I need to upgrade my HTPC to a win 7 box? I have been lurking in this forum and the prime forums, but have not really seen this kind of questions asked.
Thanks in advance

[jptheripper]

cablecard devices only work on windows 7

[FreshOne]

Originally Posted by jptheripper

cablecard devices only work on windows 7

Depends on what you want to watch and how your cable company marks the stations....

I have Sage v6 & SageDCT running fine on Windows Server 2008. I can record all the copy freely channels (which for my provider [Comcast] only prevents me from recording premiums like HBO, Showtime, Cinemax, etc). Since I don't subscribe to any of those, I can record all the shows I want to watch.

Other providers may mark non-premiums as copy-once. For copy-once content, you are correct that Windows 7 is currently the only method to record and watch that content.

[EnterNoEscape]

The CableCard tuners will only work in Windows 7, but if you're using SageDCT, you can use the CableCard tuner as a network encoder from the Windows 7 machine to a machine running Windows XP. I can verify that this worked for me with the Ceton InfiniTV 4. I have since upgraded my server to Windows 7 so I could reduce my 24/7 power draw. On that note, the Ceton appears to add about 10 watts to my power draw.

[diodeut]

OK, I think I understand. I have comcast also and only the digital basic package. Are you saying that I could use my workhorse computer (win 7) and send that to my HTPC (xp)?

thanks

[EnterNoEscape]

Yes. It can be done that way. Of course you can only send Copy Freely channels. Also it seems really silly to have to do this with an already networked device seeing as you want to do this with the HDHomerun Prime, but it should work. Since you would be pulling and pushing out, I would either dedicate a seperate NIC on the Windows 7 machine to the Prime or use gigabit.

[will]

Originally Posted by diodeut

OK, I think I understand. I have comcast also and only the digital basic package. Are you saying that I could use my workhorse computer (win 7) and send that to my HTPC (xp)?

thanks

Who is your cable provider? Some providers, like Time Warner, mark everything as copy once so no channels except the broadcast channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, and Fox) will work with SageDCT.

[jptheripper]

he said comcast (its right in your quote)

i have comcast and almost every non-premium (hbo, etc) channel is working in sagedct, including nflhd, syfyhd, etc..

[will]

Originally Posted by jptheripper

he said comcast (its right in your quote)

You should still check...

It seems like Comcast generally marks most things as copy-freely, however, it can it differ based on region. So while everything is copy-freely in City A it could be all copy-once in City B even with the same provider.

While FiOS marks almost everything Copy Freely, Bright House Networks and Time Warner Cable don't, in fact the only thing in the clear on some networks are the over-the-air broadcast networks. What is even more confusing is this can vary market by market, so just because TWC in your market marks everything Copy Once doesn't mean TWC in the next town over will. So it really does depend on your provider, but why? We asked a few in the industry and the bottom line is that it depends on the terms of the contract with the content holders. As to why TWC would agree to this while FiOS doesn't, who really knows. But if you live somewhere with real cable competition it might be worth looking into.

Source: Engdaget HD

[mechling-burgh]

I just asked Andrew over at Missing Remote and he said the SageDCT does not need Windows 7. So you should be able to install SageDCT on the Windows XP server he said he took out the check for windows 7 part since the prime is a true network device. You may need windows 7 for the first setup but I'm not sure about that since it has it's own interface.

[babgvant]

We're compiling a list of MSOs and how they behave over at Missing Remote to help everyone get a better idea of what the provider in their area marks content.

[diodeut]

Thanks all for the info, it gives me something to ponder I guess. It sounds like I should be able to make this work. I have my main computer with win7 MCE and my sagetv htpc. Add to that Sagedct and it seems like I should be good. I think this should increase the WAF greatly. I lost a lot of points when the system did not handle the cable switch to clear QAM. Not being able to record 3-4 of the wife's shows did not go over well......