Noob Question

[Gunserotti]

I just purchased an HD-300 that is attached to my network via a DIR-655 router/switch to a WHS server (HP EX 490).

I would like to attach my Cisco Comcast RNG 150 STB to the setup, so that I can use all of the SAGETV functions I have been reading about like having the WHS act as a PVR.....

The RNG 150 has USB and network plug on the back. Do I need a cablecard tuner or can I perform some kind of direct connection.

Thanks

[davephan]

Originally Posted by Gunserotti

I just purchased an HD-300 that is attached to my network via a DIR-655 router/switch to a WHS server (HP EX 490).

I would like to attach my Cisco Comcast RNG 150 STB to the setup, so that I can use all of the SAGETV function I have been reading about like having the WHS act as a PVR.....

The RNG 150 has USB and network plug on the back. Do I need a cablecard tuner or can I perform some kind of direct connection.

Thanks

You should be able to connect the three line analog video (and audio) to a HD-PVR. You could wait for the Hauppauge Colossus to come out and hook it up to that.

It looks like this is the manual for your HD set top cable box:
http://www.comcast.com/MediaLibrary/...de-4026361.pdf

You can use WHS for SageTV, but there isn't a good recovery path for the WHS operating system without a painful manual rebuild. You could have potentially a hundred accessory programs and thousands of parameters to configure. You can't capture those with an image, so if the WHS fails, a recovery could take you weeks and a lot of hassle verses a 30 minute recovery with an image. You're better off from a recovery viewpoint using an operating system that can be easily recovered with an image.

Dave

[Gunserotti]

Thanks...that would do it (HD PVR). It seems like many users here have used this device quite successfully.

I think I need the USB box version, as the HP WHS is not upgradable via a card.

[davephan]

The HD-PVR should work for you. Some people have more trouble than others. Some have no trouble at all with the HD-PVR. My HD-PVR occasionally locks up, requiring a cold boot of the HD-PVR. There's a number of things you can do which seem to improve the HD-PVR's reliability. I've done all those things except the fan and the automatic reset. The separate USB card seemed to help the most. Although occasionally I still have problems, but less often. Many people are hoping that the Hauppauge Colossus will be more reliable than the HD-PVR. I plan to buy one shortly after they are released.

There are many stories about problems with WHS. People do use it with SageTV and don't have problems. Others run into problems. There isn't a good recovery path if something goes wrong. A scratch rebuild is your recovery path instead of recovering back to the last image when everything worked. With WHS, you are basically running without a 'safety net'.

Dave

[Gunserotti]

Sorry to rehash this old thread but I think I'm closer to purchasing. I have a few questions about the external HD PVR. I have read that channel changes are very slow--->like 5 seconds. Is this the general rule or the exception? I don't think I could stand browsing TV with channel changes that take this long.

Also here is the model I'm thinking or purchasing, as my WHS box does not allow for internal card upgrades (HP EX490).

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

Does anybody now if there is a new model in the works? I would like to get the best technology WRT to HD PVR that currently exists or soon will exist.

Thanks...

[jptheripper]

If you cant do an internal card, and want hd, yes the hdpvr from hauppauge is your only option.

5 second channel changes if you are lucky, could be longer (mine are closer to 7-10).

Many of us here do very little channel surfing. It is all pre-recorded/scheduled type watching.

If you constantly flick channels, i imagine this would be a very frustrating setup for you.

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by Gunserotti

Does anybody now if there is a new model in the works?

I just wanted to make sure you were aware of this tuner, it was supposed to be available in 2010 but seems to be a little late to market. It has a slot to insert the cable card from your cable company, and has three tuners contained inside of it.

http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/

However, there is no assurance yet that the tuner will be supported in SageTV, and even if it is, there may be some copy protection issues that may prevent you from getting some or all of your Comcast stations working in Sage.

If that hasn't scared you off, do a search on HDHomeRun Prime in the forums here for additional information.

[Gunserotti]

Thanks for the replies. Hopefully this is the last question. The HD PVR has a USB output. However, my server is located in a different room and physically cannot be connected by a USB cable. Is the some workaround to have the HD PVR save the recorded video over the network directly to the server?

[jptheripper]

The HDPVR is a capture device. It captures the analog signal (from component) and transfers it, over USB, to a connected computer. It has no storage and is not a network device, it must be connected directly to a PC.

[Gunserotti]

Thanks I was hoping for some kind of magical USB to network cable/device.

I guess another alternative is to get a small NAS to sit beside the USB PVR for recording. Then I could transfer to the larger server in the other room?

[gplasky]

I have my cable set top box and HD-PVR located in the same area as the server. (basement.) Is it not possible to locate all of that equipment in the one room? You could by another Sage server license and connect it to a second Sage server and confige the server as a network encoder. I would just rent another cable box and put it all with the server.

Gerry