HVR-2250 question

[wjohn]

I currently have 2 Hauppage 250 units in my system. I think I can replace both of them with one HVR-2250?

Does it matter if I purchase directly from Hauppage? (SageTV is out of them).

Thank you.

[KeithAbbott]

It shouldn't matter where you buy it from. Many people on this forum buy hardware from newegg.com. Amazon right now has a fairly good deal on the 2250 (sans remote): http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1229.../dp/B001E2T6Y4

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

It shouldn't matter where you buy it from. Many people on this forum buy hardware from newegg.com. Amazon right now has a fairly good deal on the 2250 (sans remote): http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1229.../dp/B001E2T6Y4

Thanks for the fast response. Do I actually need the remote? I was just wondering if SageTV perhaps adds its own software.

[KeithAbbott]

What are you currently using for a remote? Is there an IR receiver connected to either of your Hauppage 250s? Or are you using an extender to connect to your television set?

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

What are you currently using for a remote? Is there an IR receiver connected to either of your Hauppage 250s? Or are you using an extender to connect to your television set?

I am using the 34(?) button Hauppage remote. And yes, I have an IR receiver connected to one of the 250s. I just very recently purchased the HD-300 and disconnected the IR going to the 250. I guess, this answers my question, I do not need the remote?

Does the "white box" HRV-2250 also have the Hauppauge A/V Cable Set model 00221 for the second input?

Sorry for all these questions, but I am trying to learn.

Thanks again for your response.

[KeithAbbott]

Your post wasn't clear, it sounds like you are no longer using the IR receiver or the 34 button Hauppauge remote. If that's true, and you are only using the HD300 remote, then you would not need another remote with the 2250.

I have a couple of "white box" units, each of them came with the bracket/cables for the second input. Not sure of the model number.

One other thing that I should mention. Currently, the two 250s in your system each have a separate TV coax input. If you install a single 2250, you will only have one TV coax input, there is an internal splitter on the card. Not a big deal for most people (maybe a bonus, no external splitter needed), but for anyone needing two separate feeds, it could be a dealbreaker.

Last thing, not sure if you are connected to CATV or not, but if you are, and your cable provider broadcasts any stations in ClearQAM, you would have access to some HD content. Potential nice added bonus.

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

Your post wasn't clear, it sounds like you are no longer using the IR receiver or the 34 button Hauppauge remote. If that's true, and you are only using the HD300 remote, then you would not need another remote with the 2250.

No longer need the remote.

I have a couple of "white box" units, each of them came with the bracket/cables for the second input. Not sure of the model number.

Good.

One other thing that I should mention. Currently, the two 250s in your system each have a separate TV coax input.

No antenna reception in my area.

Last thing, not sure if you are connected to CATV or not, but if you are, and your cable provider broadcasts any stations in ClearQAM, you would have access to some HD content. Potential nice added bonus.

I am using a dual DishNet receiver.

Thanks again.

[KeithAbbott]

With your last post, I'm not sure I see a benefit in spending $100 on the 2250. It'll still occupy two expansion slots, since you plan to use both sets of SD inputs. Maybe you are looking to upgrade to a motherboard that doesn't have two PCI slots?

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

With your last post, I'm not sure I see a benefit in spending $100 on the 2250. It'll still occupy two expansion slots, since you plan to use both sets of SD inputs. Maybe you are looking to upgrade to a motherboard that doesn't have two PCI slots?

Oh boy! I thought the 2250 can go HD? I am planning on eventually getting an HD receiver.

[KeithAbbott]

The S-Video and composite video inputs on the 2250 can only handle analog SD content. It's the coax TV input that can handle digital HD content, either from an OTA antenna or from a cable provider via ClearQAM.

If you are looking for HD from DishNet, you will probably need to get a Hauppauge HD-PVR, which is in the $200 price range for a single input. The HD-PVR connects to the HD DishNet box via component cable. There are many, many posts in this forum from people who have had good success with the HD-PVR, and many, many posts in this forum from people who have not.

The only other possible option that I am aware of would be if the DishNet box has a firewire (IEEE-1394) output, and has it enabled. Even then, people on this forum have reported mixed results using firewire, with some people giving up on it because they feel it is too buggy.

Note to other forum members: if I've missed any other options, please chime in.

[rrhorer]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

Note to other forum members: if I've missed any other options, please chime in.

As far as I know, you've covered the options very well. The HD-PVR is probably the only HD option available for a DishNet setup.

[wjohn]

Originally Posted by rrhorer

As far as I know, you've covered the options very well. The HD-PVR is probably the only HD option available for a DishNet setup.

Now today I see the post about the Hauppauge Colossus HD-PVR. That looks very exciting.

But what is this I see that some of the HD providers may turn off the component output at will?

I am finally getting a feeling for all this, thanks to this thread. I really appreciate people being willing to answer questions that must feel pretty stupid to them.