time to redo my Sage setup

[Nate]

I'm currently using two Comcast HD set top boxes. I record over s-video using 2 tuners. I have HD boxes so I change the channel using firewire, otherwise I don't watch in HD because recording in HD over firewire was a huge pain.

I am now looking to upgrade my setup. Here are some thoughts, hopefully you guys might have some input:

• I want to record HD. The channels we watch regularly are local (4, 5, 7, 13 (FOX)), Comedy Central, E!, Food Network, and Spanish channels.
  
  If I understand correctly, I can get an HDHomeRun, hook it to my cable, and get two tuners for local channels in HD over QAM.
  
  Is it possible to record the other channels in HD?
  
  
• I am willing to change my cable provider. My wife is Peruvian and would like more Spanish channels. Comcast has only one, and it is a Mexican channel.
  
  DirectTV has a Spanish package with 50 Spanish channels and 105 English channels for $45/month and $5/month for each receiver beyond the first. This sounds nice! I currently pay $105/month for Comcast cable, before taxes!
  
  How would I control the channels on the DirectTV receivers? I have tried IR using a USB-UIRT and found a channel change is missed every once in a while. This is unacceptable, it makes the wife very unhappy to miss her shows! Changing the channel over firewire is great, very reliable. Is this possible with whatever DirectTV will give me? Is there any other solution besides IR?
  
  Is it possible to get HD from the DirectTV receivers? I'd really like everything to be HD, to completely avoid standard def.
  
  Any other useful info on using DirectTV? I've been using Comca$t my whole life.
  
  
• FWIW, I currently have 3 analog tuners and I'm thinking of getting an HDHomeRun.

[Nate]

I just found out that with DirectTV's Spanish packages, I can't have Comedy Central unless I buy the most expensive package ($110/month). Lame! I wonder if I can easily access Comedy Central through some online service.

I found the HD-PVR in my research. This seems like it can solve my problem and keep everything in HD. Sweet!

[othy]

I can't answer all of these, but I'll chime in with a little help.

Originally Posted by Nate

I want to record HD. The channels we watch regularly are local (4, 5, 7, 13 (FOX)), Comedy Central, E!, Food Network, and Spanish channels.

If I understand correctly, I can get an HDHomeRun, hook it to my cable, and get two tuners for local channels in HD over QAM.

Is it possible to record the other channels in HD?

HDHR is a great way to get local clear QAM channels. Just make sure you look up the list of what's available in your area so you know you're covered. The HDHR will also pick up OTA locals if you connect it to an antenna.

It looks like you found the HD-DVR for recording the other channels.

How would I control the channels on the DirectTV receivers? I have tried IR using a USB-UIRT and found a channel change is missed every once in a while. This is unacceptable, it makes the wife very unhappy to miss her shows! Changing the channel over firewire is great, very reliable. Is this possible with whatever DirectTV will give me? Is there any other solution besides IR?

I don't have DirectTV so I can't help there, but I've been very happy with my USB-UIRT. I've never missed a recording (I now use it to tune my HD-PVR, and previously used it to tune for an SD card). Again, I don't know about DirectTV but I think people talk about using a serial connection to tune.

Tim

[Nate]

Thanks Othy.

I'm very close to ordering DirecTV. As you mentioned, it seems that some receivers can be controlled using a serial connection.

I'm not sure I'll need an HDHR now. I'd be fine with just two tuners and two HD PVRs.

I have just one question for DirecTV. I'm looking at getting their "HD Receiver". Does this have two tuners that I can control separately using IR or serial? Or do I need two receivers?