Sage TV with Qwest Digital TV

[jbrychka]

I have an uncommon setup that I would like to use SageTV for.

I have one cable box that outputs three signals through the cable in the house. These signals output to channels 5, 10 and 13 on the TVs throughout the house. You then have 1 RF remote for each signal to change the channels for the TV stations.

Channel 5 is the only one that can be operated by a IR blaster and I have my TIVO controlling it. If you want to record from the other two signals, to let say to a VCR, you have to setup the scheduled recording manually on the cable box.

I would like to use SageTV to replace the VCR. I would have one tuner card and would like to set it up so that I can record from either channel 10 or 13. I won't be able to have SageTV change the channel on the cable box since it has to be done manually for these two signals. I thought I might be able to setup two sources to the one tuner so I could tell SageTV to record certain shows on specific sources and I would manually setup the recording schedule on the cable box. However, according to the documentation, SageTV automatically chooses what source to use plus I'm not even sure I can setup two sources for one tuner.

Would I be able to do this?

[dkardatzke]

You don't want to use SageTV for this because you are only allocating one channel and SageTV needs to access an entire channel lineup. I would just use our SageRecorder application and specify the time you want to record certain shows based on the source.

The only way SageTV really makes sense is if you are going to let it control your cable box to tune the channel just like your TiVo does.

Does that make sense?

[jbrychka]

These signals are like a fixed channel for the cable box output. Just like you would set your TV on channel 3 to watch a tape from a VCR. SageTV would still work like TiVo but I would have to schedule autotune on the cable box.

I wanted to use SageTV since it had the Favorites capability and the TV guide. I would also have the option to use SageTV client. I also like the extra features that give you a simple interface for DVD and music playback.

I'm test driving SageRecorder right now and I was going to try SageTV next if it makes sense to use.

[dkardatzke]

We support the use of a fixed channel output but I'm confused as to how you would let SageTV change the channels. It sounds like you want to use SageTV as a PVR using the guide and favorites so how are you going to let it tune into those shows for you?

[jbrychka]

My cable box has a built in TV guide for each signal which allows me to schedule a timer that would change the channel. SageTV would handle the brains of the process like switch the channel on the tuner card to either 10 or 13, record first runs or re-runs, keep so many episodes, label the recording including the show description, etc.

[Beelzebub]

Ok this is what you need to do.

Setup and Install the ExeTunerPlugin, but don't add the registry settings. This will allow you to use the SageTV guide. Then just schedule everything on your cable box, so it changes the channel at the right time. If you get everything sync up right, it should list the correct show in the Sage Recordings.

I'm curious about your RF setup. Does the cable box have a internal RF receiver, or are you using a RF remote, with IR blasters. Can you control basic channel functions for each source, by switching inputs on the remote. If that is the case then each source uses its own RF channel, so there may be a way to control all this through a PC.

What is a make/model of your cable box, this would be a cool box for multi-tuner setups.

[jbrychka]

The cable box is made by Next Level Communications and it does not have a serial port (that would be sweet if it did). Is the plugin on this site?

[jbrychka]

Beelzebub,

Since SageTV handles fixed channels, why would I need this plugin?

[Beelzebub]

Originally posted by jbrychka
Beelzebub,

Since SageTV handles fixed channels, why would I need this plugin?

Hmm I guess it you don't, when you setup the constant channel, just select Skip this step, when it ask if your using a plugin or DirectTV serial cable.

[Beelzebub]

Originally posted by jbrychka
The cable box is made by Next Level Communications and it does not have a serial port (that would be sweet if it did). Is the plugin on this site?

This is what you have right
http://www.qwestchoice.com/tivo.html#box

[jbrychka]

Yes, that's the one. It's a great service. The digital signal comes in from the telephone lines.

I thought at first having only one cable box for the whole house was a great idea but now it's a pain if you want to do things like this. I would like to switch to satellite but the monthly fee for Qwest is so reasonable, I can't make the move. You also get a 1000K up/down VDSL connection with the package at a decent price.

[jbrychka]

I installed SageTV last night and tried to setup two sources for one tuner card but it would just modify the one that was already there which makes sense.

A way around this might be to have two instances of SageTV. One for the channel 10 signal and one for the channel 13 signal. I would just have to make sure that I wasn't scheduling a recording for the same period on both instances.

Would 2 instances be possible where they would work independently of each other?

[Beelzebub]

Originally posted by jbrychka
I installed SageTV last night and tried to setup two sources for one tuner card but it would just modify the one that was already there which makes sense.

A way around this might be to have two instances of SageTV. One for the channel 10 signal and one for the channel 13 signal. I would just have to make sure that I wasn't scheduling a recording for the same period on both instances.

Would 2 instances be possible where they would work independently of each other?

No, It wouldn't be possible for the Second Instance to access the PVR-250.