Component or HDMI capture?

[neilbradley]

I've gone over the threads on the hardware list looking for HD capture devices, either by way of HDMI or by component, and I saw reference to the Blackmagic devices, but nothing conclusive as to what would and wouldn't work with SageTV.

So what is the current recommended hardware that will capture HD, either via component or HDMI, and works with SageTV? Thanks!

[GKusnick]

The conclusion of all those threads is that there aren't any such devices suitable for use with Sage. The Blackmagic devices are meant for professional DVD authoring. They don't do HD, and their SD bit rates and file sizes are way too high for DVR use.

[NEOSG]

depending on your provider, an R5000 modded STB may be an option for you. google r5000

[lobosrul]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

They don't do HD, and their SD bit rates and file sizes are way too high for DVR use.

Actually, they do, do HD. Impractical to use as a DVR though, thats been discussed ad nauseum.

[Fluffdaddy]

Your only real option is the R5000-HD mod

http://www.nextcomwireless.com/r5000/products.htm

[STEVON]

If you are worried about HDCP encryption, don't. Buy a Hauppauge Colossus card and a MUX-HD. Works for HDMI STB, Blu-Ray or PS3.

[gplasky]

A MUX-HD only provides DVI output. How does that work with a Colossus card? And don't you need also need a TOSLink input to get your audio? And according to your other posts you don't have it working with the Colossus card.

Gerry

[Savage1701]

Originally Posted by neilbradley

I've gone over the threads on the hardware list looking for HD capture devices, either by way of HDMI or by component, and I saw reference to the Blackmagic devices, but nothing conclusive as to what would and wouldn't work with SageTV.

So what is the current recommended hardware that will capture HD, either via component or HDMI, and works with SageTV? Thanks!

You could also look at the HD-Fury 3. It claims (I can't validate this personally) to use a higher-quality HDMI (that WILL accept HDCP signals) and down-convert it with much higher quality to Component Video (better gamma, contrast, etc.) at your choice of 1080i or 1080p. It will also go as low as 480i if you needed it to. It's about $250. Pricey, but about the only legal HDCP-stripper out there if you are willing to accept a slight loss of quality of Component, most of which they claim they have made up for.

I know the Hauppauge devices only handle 1080i or less, but nice to know 1080p is there if your TV will take it. Version 3 also handles 2 HDMI inputs. I don't know about audio.

Also, there are threads in here where you can jack the encode rate of the HD-PVR up higher. I've done it - it gets it up to about 16Mb/s, or 7.9GB per hour. It is noticeably better than the default maximum 13.5 Mb/s rate, and easy to add to the properties file.