Thinking of coming back to SageTV in HD - what do I need?

[Steve2112]

I had one of those classic "goodbye Sage" threads as seen here:

http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...ad.php?t=20761

Overall, I have been very happy with the Cox PVR. It does have some shortcomings, and those are the following:

1.) Storage - it does have a USB port to add HD space, but Cox has not enabled it (yet). HD programming takes up a lot of disk space, so I find I need to keep on top of it.

2.) Recording things multiple times. It uses the same data source as Sage, however if it records "MotorWeek" for example, it records it 10 times, even though the same episode ID has been recorded. It is not as smart as Sage in this area.

So........ I always loved Sage, but the Hauppauge equipment ALWAYS gave me grief. That is why I left, Sage is an awesome product, but the hardware was what drove me away.

My question to you all is what would I need to buy to have the same ability I have now, which is to record 2 HD channels (or SD) at the same time, while watching something recorded.

I don't think Hauppauge makes HD equipment, so perhaps another vendor's drivers would work better.

So basically, I would need 2 HD tuners (I think). I currently have the Microsoft remote used with Media Center, and that had worked better than the Hauppauge one which always had IR.EXE problems for me.

Please let me know what I would need to buy, a good place to buy the equipment, and any other stuff I would need (remotes, etc.). I already have a Sage license which is not being used, so I am all set in that department.

Sage.... save me from Cox's inferior implementation of the programming guide and re-recording repeats!

My current setup is a 32" LCD TV which has 2 Composite inputs, 1 HDMI input. I use the HDMI coming from the Cox PVR, and I am using one of the composite inputs for my DVD player.... It's one of those $699 Westinghouse 32" TVs from BestBuy - it works and looks fine to me, and at that price it's pretty cheap.

Thanks all!

Steve

[ke6guj]

Well, if you want to record HD from the Cable company in HD. You only have two real options.

One is to get a QAM tuner like the HDHomerun. It is an external box that has 2 QAM tuners. Depending on the CC, you may only get you digital locals, or may get more channels. It depends on what channels the CC sends out unscrambled. Channel changes are controlled via software through the network cable, no IR blasters that I know of.

The second option is to use 2 HD STB's from the CC and hook them up with firewire. Depending on the CC, you may only get your digital locals, or may get more channels. It depends on what channels the CC sends out unencrypted over the firewire. It's often called 5C encryption. It may range from being able to record every channel you pay for, to no channels available at all. Some CC's even encrypt the local channels, even though the FCC may say that the locals must unecrypted (that is up to interpetation). Channels changes may be done by IR, but better yet is through the firewire cable.

[Steve2112]

Wow, seems more limited than I had thought. Does anyone know how Cox in the Rhode Island area operates? The STB I have is a pretty fancy Motorola one, with all sorts of ports and cable card slots....

Thanks,

Steve

[flavius]

What's the model number?

[Steve2112]

DCT6416 - 160GB model

[Rogue9]

That is the same model that I had. I was able to use the firewire connection to watch most channels, including HD. But I'm not anywhere close to your area.

You could try hooking it up with firewire and trying to view the currently tuned channel with VLC. Its been a while since I did it, so I don't remember if you have to download any drivers or not. I believe so, tho.

[tsitalon1]

Hey guys,

I currently use FW to change channels on 3 Motorola's. Can you point me to a link to show me how to change over to capturing hd from them instead of simply changing channels?

James

[ke6guj]

Originally Posted by tsitalon1

Hey guys,

I currently use FW to change channels on 3 Motorola's. Can you point me to a link to show me how to change over to capturing hd from them instead of simply changing channels?

James

Check out the main firewire thread, http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...light=firewire , for more info. Specifically post 831, http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/show...513#post125513 , which has an install guide.