New Customer

[Roy]

I am a new customer wanting to make a purchase but not sure what I need.

I have a Directv series 2 dvr and would like to be able to watch and store shows on my computer. I would also like to have certain shows in a format that could be placed on a DVD. I can use either a wireless or wired connection from the dvr to my computer.

Please tell me the exact componets or bundle I would need to purchase. I tried to find the information on the website but it wasn't very clear.

Thanks

[dbfresh23]

If you want to be able to watch/record 2 things at once like on your Tivo I'd suggest:

1. Ditch the Tivo and buy 2 DirecTV D10-100 Receivers
2. Buy either a PVR-500 or an Nvidia DualTV tuner
3. SageTV
4. SageTV Client or a SageTV Extender for as many TVs as you'd like to watch it on. You don't need either of these if you just plan on watch on a single pc and no TV.
5. Search these forums for using serial control for the D10 Receivers.


All shows would be in MPEG2 format which can easily be burnt to DVD. These suggestions are also more meant for replacing your DVR, you'll run into problems if you try to use that as the receiver connected to the pc because the pc won't be able to tell which tuner in the Tivo it is controlling, that was the reason for suggesting the D10s.

[Roy]

Thanks for the reply.

I have another question that is going to seem really foolish to some. But how does the dvr connect to the computer? Does the computer need to be near the dvr and connected with componet or s-video cables to a tuner card? Is it possible to have the computer in another room?

Thanks

[mayamaniac]

no component inputs for the PVR-500MCE, but you can use coaxial, composites (RCA), or S-Video. You can see it clearly from the pictures here: http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/produ...pvr500mce.html

As for distances between the computer and the DTV box, I think all video cables have a 10-15 feet limit before the signal degrades.

[GKusnick]

The DirecTV box must be physically connected to your computer's capture card by S-Video or composite (not component). You'll also need a serial or IR connection from the computer to the STB for changing channels. So for practical purposes they must be in the same room. However that doesn't have to be the same room as your TV. You can use media extenders (also called MVPs) to stream the recorded content by wired or wireless LAN to any room in the house.

This is all assuming that you're using standard-definition receivers and TVs, not high-def. For HD, especially satellite HD, the picture becomes more complicated, and it's going to be hard to make specific recommendations without more info about your existing setup.

[Roy]

Thank you very much for the great answers.

I think the way I'm going to go is to get another DVR or 2 and place it in my computer room.

It really looks like Sage has a good community going here.

[dbfresh23]

You don't want to get another DVR box, you want a plain receiver. the DVR boxes have dual tuners and will mess up when changing channels. Your best bet is getting the D10 receivers, they are single tuners and support serial control.

[AngelofDeth]

I just picked up two new D10-100's for $35, one of them even had a new access card. These are so easy to get serial working, and no OSD. The serial channel changing actually seems a bit slower than IR, but its worth it not having to deal with ir blasters...

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Roy

Please tell me the exact componets or bundle I would need to purchase.

I did not see anywhere that folks have mentioned on how to change channels (sat box control...)

I use a USB-UIRT and love it... With Direct,, although I may be wrong, you can also use direct serial control, depending on the box...

With the UIRT, however, you can use the software for more than just the boxes...

-Jason

[ToxMox]

Originally Posted by Jason

I did not see anywhere that folks have mentioned on how to change channels (sat box control...)

huh?

Originally Posted by dbfresh23

5. Search these forums for using serial control for the D10 Receivers.

Originally Posted by GKusnick

You'll also need a serial or IR connection from the computer to the STB for changing channels.

Originally Posted by dbfresh23

Your best bet is getting the D10 receivers, they are single tuners and support serial control.

Originally Posted by AngelofDeth

These are so easy to get serial working,

[dbfresh23]

Originally Posted by AngelofDeth

I just picked up two new D10-100's for $35, one of them even had a new access card. These are so easy to get serial working, and no OSD. The serial channel changing actually seems a bit slower than IR, but its worth it not having to deal with ir blasters...

SageTV V5.0.4 Release Notes 5/31/2006
4. Added registry option to use fast channel changing method with DTVSerial again (create as a DWORD and set to 1 to enable, 0 to disable): HKLM\SOFTWARE\Frey Technologies\SageTV\DirecTVSerialFastChannelChanges

[AngelofDeth]

Wow, that actually made a huge difference. Now I don't even get video from the previous channel after changing...

[dbfresh23]

Still want to say that serial control is slower?

[AngelofDeth]

Oh, definetly not now. Is there a reason that is not the default behavior?

[dbfresh23]

If there is I certainly don't know what it is. The thing you're talking about was driving me NUTS! After changing the channel within Sage you'd still see a second or two of the other show... It should at least be an option in the setup menu as not all SageTV users are going to be comfortable editing the registry even though this was a simple edit.

[AngelofDeth]

The thing that was bothering me with the default serial, was after selecting WATCH, it seemed to not do anything for at least a second or two. In fact after selecting watch I could still scroll down. Now, after selecting watch, that screen goes right away and changes the channel like it should.

The showing the video after changing channel happened with the IR blaster, I had gotten used to that. Would be nice if this option fixed that part for the IR blaster too, as I have one STB that has no serial option.