QAM tuners and CPU

[martincmartin]

To make sure I understand: QAM signals are already MPEG encoded. So I can get a cheap tuner card, like the Hauppauge HVR-1250. That card specifies "software encoding", but that only applies to analog channels, right? Because digital channels are already encoded, so I can use a slow CPU with this card if all I'm interested in is QAM channels?

While I'm at it, does anyone know which Comcast channels in Boston are available in QAM? I assume there are no analog channels left?

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by martincmartin

To make sure I understand: QAM signals are already MPEG encoded. So I can get a cheap tuner card, like the Hauppauge HVR-1250. That card specifies "software encoding", but that only applies to analog channels, right? Because digital channels are already encoded, so I can use a slow CPU with this card if all I'm interested in is QAM channels?

While I'm at it, does anyone know which Comcast channels in Boston are available in QAM? I assume there are no analog channels left?

You don't want a card that does software encoding. You want either the 1600, 1800 or 2250 version.

Gerry

[GKusnick]

Gerry, he specifically said he's not planning on using the analog side of the card at all, just the QAM side. So why should it matter if the card lacks a hardware encoder?

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

Gerry, he specifically said he's not planning on using the analog side of the card at all, just the QAM side. So why should it matter if the card lacks a hardware encoder?

Good point Greg. I By reflex I always recommend that the tuner card is a hardware encoder. Even though he'll only use it for QAM for TV recording if he wants to use the s-video and audio inputs for any type of recording from an external source he would be better off with having a hardware encoder.

Gerry

[martincmartin]

Originally Posted by gplasky

... if he wants to use the s-video and audio inputs for any type of recording from an external source he would be better off with having a hardware encoder.
Gerry

Well I've already ordered an HD-PVR. I just wanted to understand what it would take to be able to record two shows at once. The HVR-1250 sounds like a good "80%" solution for that, as it would work as long as at least one recording is clear QAM.

Now if I could just figure out which channels are clear QAM...

[gplasky]

Go to the SiliconDust website. Plugin in your zip code here and it should give you an idea what to expect over ClearQAM. Plus their tuner is probably one of the best around. Dual-tuner ClearQAM and ATSC that sits on your network.

Gerry

[martincmartin]

Originally Posted by gplasky

Go to the SiliconDust website. Plugin in your zip code here and it should give you an idea what to expect over ClearQAM. Plus their tuner is probably one of the best around. Dual-tuner ClearQAM and ATSC that sits on your network.

Gerry

Thanks, that's great web site! And I'll check out their hardware.