New Sage Server - Upgrading to HD

[jredwine2857]

Ok so I am once again pouring over the forums in order to setup my new Sage 7 Media Center PC. I have an older box running Sage 7 with 2 Direct TV boxes with serial/USB channel tuning and it works great.

Looking to upgrade to HD now, but I really would like to stick with USB/Serial tuning as it just works flawlessly.

It seems in recent years that IR Blaster has become the standard.

Back in 2005 when I setup they're were some places you could buy these adapters. Does anyone know if they have some updated versions of these that are working with the newer HD boxes from Direct TV and other vairous cable boxes. (i.e. Motorola seems to be the new favorite for our cable company locally. i.e. Insight)

Thanks!

[jredwine2857]

well a little more research has netted some more info. Looks like some of the Direct TV boxes can use ethernet to change the channel.

It also looks like the Patterson serial/USB devices can tune channels still. Not sure if it works on the latest boxes, I did see one post saying a fella couldnt get the patterson devices to work on the H24 which is the latest digital Direct TV box.

Anyone know what Direct TV is using for just std HD boxes these days? Is it the H24? Is ethernet the best way or has anyone had luck with the Patterson devices using USB?

[Beefcake550]

I have 2 DTV boxes as well. One H21 and one H24. The H21 worked great with serial tuning after getting a USB<->serial adapter. I got the H24 the same day the ethernet tuning was available and I have both boxes working that way now. Will never look back at the USB/serial tuning even thoug I NEVER had a problem with it. The ethernet tuning is a little faster and just cleaner since I have less wires now hooked up to the server.

To get the HD feeds into the computer, you can choose between the Colossuss or HD-PVR those are the only two ways. It might be worth trying out the colossuss since it can supposedly take in HDMI from the DTV boxes under certain conditions (not sure what those are)

I personally have 2 HD-PVRs and would consider "upgrading" to Colossuss boards, but if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by jredwine2857

Anyone know what Direct TV is using for just std HD boxes these days? Is it the H24? Is ethernet the best way or has anyone had luck with the Patterson devices using USB?

When I ordered a new HD box a few weeks ago, they sent me a refurbed H21. Works great with HTTP tuning, so I haven't bothered to try any other tuning method.

[jredwine2857]

Thanks fellas good to know the ethernet works so well.