Recording HD from a SC Motorola DSR505 and Hauppauge

[tvmaster2]

The company Hauppauge makes a couple of PC cards for recording HD programming, either from antenna or from cable boxes, depending if your local cable company hasn't turned OFF the broadcast bit (the way I understand it).

If I wanted to record both SD and HD (in HD quality) from my DSR505, which Hauppauge card would work best with SageTV and my SC box?

cheers

[Fluffdaddy]

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

[jmiddleton]

To the best of my knowledge, the Hauppauge HD-PVR is the only capture device currently on the market that records HD from a cable/satellite box. It works by exploiting the "analog hole" created by component video (YPbPr), effectively bypassing HDCP.

As you can see by following the many threads discussing the HD-PVR on this forum, the software is still a work in progress. If you like to tinker you will probably be happy with the HD-PVR in its current state. If you want a completely reliable appliance - we're not there yet. On the other hand, it's a long time since I've seen a piece of hardware generate as much interest in the enthusiast community. That combination of motivation and talent will produce results.

If the broadcast bit is set, the HD-PVR will still work, the signal will simply be down converted to 480P by the set top box. First generation HD TVs and HD set top boxes used component video cables exclusively - it's only the past few years that HDMI has become common. Even today, the DCT6200 used by my local cable company doesn't have an HDMI port so I think it will be a long time before service providers think about using the broadcast bit.

[viperdiablo]

Theres always the R5000 mod. They have a special right now. If your mod 2 or more starchoice receivers they will cost 440CDN each. . Not bad considering up in Canada the Hauppuage hd pvr cost about $269 plus tax. now that the dollar has taken a hit. Plus with the hd pvr you will need the usb-uirt ($69 in canada plus tax) for two or more hauppauge devices. With the R5000 mod you know its reliable for channel changes, dolby 5.1 is working perfectly. Only need one usb to pc for each receiver. Just my two cents.

[Fluffdaddy]

The R5000 mod is good.............nothing against it but the price

[viperdiablo]

High price...true. But after looking back at Nextcoms website they have another special for starchoice mods for November. 1 modded receiver will cost $410.74 cdn. If you decide to get two done the price is $308.06 cdn each. So $616.12 plus 30 dollars shipping both ways for a total of $676.12. You will have to add the multi-instance software for $123.47-49.95 off for the sale= $72.52. So the grand total of going the R5000 route is $748.64 (this is based on nextcom us to canadian dollar conversion. I believe it will actually be cheaper once your CC company does the conversion). Compared to the hauppauge hd pvr route of $279.99 each plus the usb-uirt for $63.99 it would be 698.85 (for 2) including tax. The R5000 mod is only $49.79 more. I think the R5000 mod is worth $50 more. Less wires, more reliable, DD5.1 works.

[Fluffdaddy]

I agree

[wayner]

The HD-PVR also requires an HD cable or sat box to work so that adds another $200 or so in the case of cable but you don't need the USB-UIRT as you can use firewire to change channels, at least you can with my cable box - Rogers SA3250HD or 4250HD.

[tvmaster2]

Originally Posted by wayner

The HD-PVR also requires an HD cable or sat box to work so that adds another $200 or so in the case of cable but you don't need the USB-UIRT as you can use firewire to change channels, at least you can with my cable box - Rogers SA3250HD or 4250HD.

Sounds like a lot of expense just for HD - I guess I won't throw away my D-VHS / Samsung OTA HD receiver combo just yet.

thanks for the answers

[Fluffdaddy]

Expensive yes, but I try not to watch anything in SD now days.

The added expense for timeshifting HD content is worth it for me.

[wayner]

Originally Posted by tvmaster2

Sounds like a lot of expense just for HD - I guess I won't throw away my D-VHS / Samsung OTA HD receiver combo just yet.

thanks for the answers

But when combined with Sage it offers much more flexibility than a tape deck, even a digital tape deck.

When you say "just for HD" you are implying that you don't think think HD is that big of a deal.

What is the difference in price between a D-VHS deck and a regular VHS VCR? I bet it is a lot of expense "just for HD"

[eric_pwb]

Hi,

I am looking into the r5000 mod for my dsr505 at the moment, and am wondering if there is anyone out there who has already had this done and can give me an idea on how good it works?
ie: Reliability, Time it takes to change channel, any problems you have with it, how well it works for watching live tv?

Any insight you could provide me with would be fantastic

Thanks,

Eric