Just ordered DirectTV--Now what?

[osburnfamily]

Hi all. Hope this isn't a silly question; but, I just ordered a DirectTV HD system (upgrading from DishNetwork). I keep seeing these posts about a DirectTV Serial thing for changing channels?

Will my hauppauge IR Blaster continue to work on this new directtv receiver or do I have to go and learn about this serial plugin?

Thanks!

[unkyjoe]

You do realize you will not be able to record in HD only SD as there are currently no WORKING HD capture devices.

Hauppauge does have something coming onto the market soon that will allow you to record via component RGB cable.

I use a Patterson serial device to change change channels on my SD directv boxes and it works very well.

DO a search on Patterson Tech and you should be able to find more information on thier products.

Good Luck

[osburnfamily]

yep on the recording to sd. i'm waiting with baited breath for the HD-PVR card from hauppauge. But in the mean time, because of my comcast internet, i get the local's via QAM on my two hvr-1600's. The directtv upgrade was more because the sd non-network channels were junk on my new HD tv from the dish receiver. plush dtv has a great deal going on right now.

i'm a bit confused about the channel changing issue though. can't i just continue to use an ir-blaster & not worry about this serial stuff?

[heffe2001]

This isn't entirely true, see http://forums.sage.tv/forums/showthread.php?t=29688 if you want to capture via HDMI. Not sure how well it's working, but looks promising...

Originally Posted by unkyjoe

You do realize you will not be able to record in HD only SD as there are currently no WORKING HD capture devices.

Hauppauge does have something coming onto the market soon that will allow you to record via component RGB cable.

I use a Patterson serial device to change change channels on my SD directv boxes and it works very well.

DO a search on Patterson Tech and you should be able to find more information on thier products.

Good Luck

[unkyjoe]

Yes I beilieve you can continue to use an IR blaster, although the channel change speed may not be to your liking if you are a surfer. It is a bit slower.

Concerning the capture via the card heffe speaks of looks a bit more complicated than even I want to tangle with. HDMI can also have HDCP enabled in the future, which component does not suffer from 'the analog hole"

Hope this helps.