Learning quickly...information overload

[jadkar]

Hey everybody,

I have been reading multiple threads from AVS forum, here, and other HTPC sites. My brain is going to explode!!! I have a few questions that I just wanted to get quick answers on. Some of these threads have become way too long and I tried doing a search, but it becomes a wild goose hunt.

I am just in the test stages now, if everything works as planned with SAGE TV I may build a new PC and do it right. I just don't want to spend big bucks and find out I'm disappointed.

The system I have now is a P4 2.2 with 512RDRam, ATI 8500. No other TV/capture cards. I'm using my Motorola 6200 with FireWire.

I'm really bummed that I can't get 5C programming, and have spent the last week being pissed off. I have come to the conclusion that at least I can get everything else including HDTV (OTA channels) and sooner or later someone will make a 5C compliant FireWire card (hopefully).

OK so here we go, I'm in the middle of creating my graphs in GraphEdit. I have the test graph made and can see and hear my content, even HDTV nice and clear, and the processor and memory are in good shape.

1) If I plan on changing the channels myself, can't I just skip the steps referring to Girder?

2) Is Girder used for anything else besides changing channels?

3) Once everything is working good, will I be able to watch what I am recording through SAGE TV, or will I have to switch back to my "normal" TV and watch from there?

4) My performance seems really good right now, once it goes through SAGE (instead of just viewing the graph) will it slow down a lot?

5) If so I'm confused, my PC is obviously handling the stream OK, why is SAGE going to slow it down?

Guys, I really appreciate your answers. The process of finding the information is proving to be more difficult than the actual work.

Thanks,
John

[dvd_maniac]

ATI capture cards use Hardware assisted capture but it is in reality a software capture card. Sage does not support using software cards for capturing. You should start on the main site for hardware requirements.

Changing channels
1. Girder helps with using remotes. You need a device like the USB-UIRT to control your STB for channel changing.

Girder do other things
2. Yes

Normal TV
3. when you are watching LiveTV you are really watching what the capture card is capturing, so no you do not have to go back to "normal" TV. You can not watch one station while recording another with only one tuner card.

Slow downs?
4.& 5. I do not think so, but it depends on what you are doing.

[jadkar]

ATI capture cards use Hardware assisted capture but it is in reality a software capture card. Sage does not support using software cards for capturing

I'm not "capturing" anything, I'm using the data stream directly from my Motorola's FireWire port. I'm just using the filters I set-up in GraphEdit to view the stream. I can already see it working (through GrapghEdit). Am I missing something? Does this solution still require a capture card?

when you are watching LiveTV you are really watching what the capture card is capturing, so no you do not have to go back to "normal" TV. You can not watch one station while recording another with only one tuner card.

What I meant is while recording the stream from my FireWire port can I watch it as well? Using a hack DVHS program I got from the AVS-Forum I was able to record and watch but not do both at the same time. (BTW...I'm talking about the the same channel)

DVD_maniac....thanks for the quick response, and the answers to the other questions

-John