Non-techie needing some general advice

[jal]

I don't have the brains to keep up with all this technology. In fact I quit using SageTV shortly after Comcast upgraded most of their content to HD. But I do want to get back to Sage.

I saw a thread about connecting Comcast DTA boxes to my old Hauppauge recorders but my household already has 4 DTA boxes hooked up to regular TV sets so I'm not sure I want to pay any more DTA rental fees.

My Windows-XP PC is very old and, as such, probably too weak to record HD content so I'm guessing that I would need an HD-PVR? (Don't even fully understand what that is). I seem to get the impression that an HD-PVR does its own crunching instead of putting all that burden on the PC?

Ok, so if I'm correct on that, what would you guys recommend? Right now I don't even have an STB (because our household doesn't subscribe to premium content). I just have basic cable and was hoping for a low-cost SageTV setup. I was just looking at the HD HomeRun website but the list of requirements seems to include a powerhouse Windows-7 dual-core PC which I don't have (although I did like the fact that their model seems to have 3 tuners).

And even if an HD-PVR solved my recording problems, would my old PC likely be too weak for playback? (Mind you, I don't really need HD playback as such, because I'm a non-videophile who can live with a loss of quality).

I do have some old hard drives around so I can muster up probably 300 Gigs total which should be sufficient for my needs.

So what would you guys suggest as a relatively simple, low-tech, low-budget solution?

Maybe I should just go with those extra DTA rental fees, but I would also like to hear you guys comment on the HD-PVR approach.

[panteragstk]

If you don't care about HD then you can use a tuner card to get the SD channels that comcast has open. If you want HD locals you can use an HD tuner card via QAM to get those. Anything past that you are looking at either cablecard (which sage doesn't officially support) or hdpvr/colossus which will require an stb and a way of tuning it (firewire or uirt)

Let us know what your wants/needs are based on what I told you and we'll be able to help even more.

[rrhorer]

I have Cox cable; so my setup may not work for comcast. But, I use the HD PVR to record non-clear qam content (through an stb) and an HVR 2250 for clear qam and analog recording (without a stb). I am not familiar with the specifics of how you would connect a Comcast DTA box to your Hauppauge recorders; but it seems that you would simply take the current output to your tV to a recorder's analog input instead and play Sages's output to the TV. From your quality needs description, your current system should be adequate. You only need an HD PVR to record HD content that is encrypted, using the component output of a stb. The HD PVR is an h.264 encoder (i.e., built-in hardware that records and compresses HD content); so it does the heavy lifting. My take is that you should just try your current system, especially the HVR 1600 which has the ability to record clear QAM -- i.e., connect your cable directly to the HVR 1600 rather than through an stb or DTA box. BTW, you should upgrade to Sage 7 -- it's free and a big improvement over your current version. Good luck.

[jal]

Originally Posted by rrhorer

I have Cox cable; so my setup may not work for comcast. But, I use the HD PVR to record non-clear qam content (through an stb) and an HVR 2250 for clear qam and analog recording (without a stb). I am not familiar with the specifics of how you would connect a Comcast DTA box to your Hauppauge recorders; but it seems that you would simply take the current output to your tV to a recorder's analog input instead and play Sages's output to the TV. From your quality needs description, your current system should be adequate. You only need an HD PVR to record HD content that is encrypted, using the component output of a stb. The HD PVR is an h.264 encoder (i.e., built-in hardware that records and compresses HD content); so it does the heavy lifting. My take is that you should just try your current system, especially the HVR 1600 which has the ability to record clear QAM -- i.e., connect your cable directly to the HVR 1600 rather than through an stb or DTA box. BTW, you should upgrade to Sage 7 -- it's free and a big improvement over your current version. Good luck.

I've tried hooking the cable directly to the 1600 card a few times, but I'm always disappointed at how many channels are missing. I guess I'll try the DTA boxes first and then, if that proves unsatisfying, I'll look into the other options you guys mentioned.

Thanks guys!

[gdippel]

Originally Posted by jal

Maybe I should just go with those extra DTA rental fees, but I would also like to hear you guys comment on the HD-PVR approach.

You can't use a HD PVR without a STB (Cable "set top box".) The HD PVR is used to record HD channels from a STB through the STB's component output jacks. This is known as the "Analog Hole" as it allows you to by pass the STB's digital encryption. Without a STB you will only be able receive clear QAM HD channels (QAM is the protocol cable companies use to transmit HD channels) which are not encrypted, through your PVR 1600.

I use a HD PVR connected to a STB to record encrypted channels and I record clear QAM channels with the cable directly connected to a PVR 1850. In my neighborhood (Queens, NY) only local channels, which are available over the air, are clear QAM (unencrypted.) Cable companies are encrypting more and more channels so even channels that you may think are "non-premium" are encrypted. That's probably why you're seeing fewer channels that you expected.

[jal]

I went into my sister's room, removed the DTA from her TV, and am trying to get it to work with SageTV in any kind of way at this point. (I've ordered a USB IRT - until that comes in I'm not even trying to do any automatic recording).

Right now I'm just trying to get some kind of picture. On an old thread someone said to go to Setup Video Sources and change the RF channel to 3 (right now it says N/A). I can see the option on the menu but my mouse won't go to that option so I can't change the value from N/A to 3.

Here's what the menu looks like right now (see attached). What am I doing wrong?

[jal]

I'm going to try installing Sage 7, see if that solves it.

[jal]

Nope. I installed Sage 7 but still can't get my mouse to the RF channel option.

[jal]

Ok, now I've got a picture (maybe it was just slow getting started).

I never found a way to change the RF channel (it still says N/A) but now it's working, at least with the 1600 card. I'm going to try my PVR 150 next.

[Fuzzy]

You need to remove the source, and start from scratch. If you are trying to go from the DTA, via RF channel 3 to the 1600, you will actually need to configure it as an Analog tuner. Then, you'll have the option to tell it it's an external STB tuned via Channel 3.

[jal]

Originally Posted by Fuzzy

You need to remove the source, and start from scratch. If you are trying to go from the DTA, via RF channel 3 to the 1600, you will actually need to configure it as an Analog tuner. Then, you'll have the option to tell it it's an external STB tuned via Channel 3.

Thanks Fuzzy!

At this point I'm utterly lost - and I am nowhere near trying to install the usb irt. In the initial experiment I was only working with one tuner, I tried the other one (the pvr-150) and all I got was a black-white picture and muddled audio. I tried tinkering with Detailed Setup and then completely lost the picture - on both tuners.

Then I logged in and saw your suggestion. I started afresh (removed all sources) and tried to work with just one tuner (only added the 1600). I now have the RF channel set to 3 (and I selected channel 3 from the Program guide) but still no picture (just squiggly lines) and I see no evidence that the DTA box is responding to the Comcast remote control. I thought the IR emitter was supposed to help with that? But I've tried two different IR emitters and (two different Comcast remotes) and still no response (meaning that I don't see any channel numbers flipping on the SageTV window).

I've even tried a second DTA box. Both these boxes were borrowed from other bedrooms in the house so I'm pretty sure they were both activated.

[jal]

Ok, I'm an idiot, got the picture back on the 1600 (I had set the RF channel to 4 on the DTA box accidentally).

[jal]

Ok, now I was able to also get a picture on the pvr-150. I tried both tuners alternately, so this weekend I'll wrestle with the usb-irt. Thanks again Fuz!

[jal]

Another misunderstanding. I thought that those little IR sensors that shipped with the DTAs were IR emitters. I guess they are called Remote Control Receiver Sensors, so now I need to purchase IR emitters, I think. I don't suppose I can get those locally from an electronics store...dunno.

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by jal

Another misunderstanding. I thought that those little IR sensors that shipped with the DTAs were IR emitters. I guess they are called Remote Control Receiver Sensors, so now I need to purchase IR emitters, I think. I don't suppose I can get those locally from an electronics store...dunno.

Your 1600 may have come with an IR emitter included. Maybe check the box???

I doubt if a local electronics store would carry any. FWIW, here's the IR emitters that I purchased online: http://www.avhifi.com/shop/speakercr...sible-led.html

But most importantly, you do know that the USB-UIRT comes with IR emitters built in, right? If you are controlling a single STB, you should be able to just aim the front of the USB-UIRT towards the IR receiver on the front of the STB, and voila!

[jal]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

Your 1600 may have come with an IR emitter included. Maybe check the box???

I doubt if a local electronics store would carry any. FWIW, here's the IR emitters that I purchased online: http://www.avhifi.com/shop/speakercr...sible-led.html

But most importantly, you do know that the USB-UIRT comes with IR emitters built in, right? If you are controlling a single STB, you should be able to just aim the front of the USB-UIRT towards the IR receiver on the front of the STB, and voila!

Thanks Keith! At this point I have to be grateful for any kind of advice as I am clueless. No, I didn't know that I could point the USB-irt to a single STB. Actually I'm trying to control two DTAs, however (one for each card).

I bought that 1600 so many years ago that I no longer have the box. Once I buy the IR emitter, I'm not sure where to position it, nor even which file I'm supposed to edit. At this point the Hauppauge remote control isn't my main concern, I am mostly interested in getting Sage to change the channel for prescheduled recordings.

I was trying to see if this picture would show me where to position the IR emitters but it seems to show a bracket which I don't have, i'm not sure how to do it without the bracket:
http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/...1349/related/1

[KeithAbbott]

Originally Posted by jal

Once I buy the IR emitter, I'm not sure where to position it...

If you are not sure where the IR receiver is on your STB, I would google the STB make and model number, and find the manual for it. Usually, somewhere in the manual, they will show the front panel layout and show where the IR receiver is positioned.

Originally Posted by jal

nor even which file I'm supposed to edit.

Here are some threads that may help explain:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57092
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48170
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6282
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291

Originally Posted by jal

I was trying to see if this picture would show me where to position the IR emitters but it seems to show a bracket which I don't have, i'm not sure how to do it without the bracket:
http://support.tivo.com/app/answers/...1349/related/1

Most of the IR emitters that I am familiar with come with self-stick adhesive already applied. Clean the front of the STB where the IR receiver is located, peel off a small piece of paper backing on the IR emitter, and press the IR emitter directly in front of the IR receiver. Done. No bracket required.

[jal]

Originally Posted by KeithAbbott

If you are not sure where the IR receiver is on your STB, I would google the STB make and model number, and find the manual for it. Usually, somewhere in the manual, they will show the front panel layout and show where the IR receiver is positioned.



Here are some threads that may help explain:

http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=57092
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=48170
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=6282
http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=5291



Most of the IR emitters that I am familiar with come with self-stick adhesive already applied. Clean the front of the STB where the IR receiver is located, peel off a small piece of paper backing on the IR emitter, and press the IR emitter directly in front of the IR receiver. Done. No bracket required.

That's some fantastic information and links. Thanks a million!

[jal]

I've been wrestling with this for several hours but have only made a little progress. I've ordered some IR emitters but meanwhile I decided to unplug one of the DTA boxes so I could at least get one DTA up and running with the USB-IRT. I've got the USB-IRT sitting in front of the DTA (after teaching it the Comcast remote) and I named the file DTA.IR (but did not add any zones since I only have one DTA powered on).

I think it's trying to change the channel but SageTv seems to be sending it only one digit at a time (and the digit pattern being sent doesn't make much sense to me). For example, suppose SageTV is showing 14 as the current channel in the upper left, and then I hit the PageUP key on my keyboard, I'll see the following numbers flash at the bottom right (one at a time, I never see two digits register together) - I was hoping to see "15" but get this instead:
4
0
4
1
4
5 - and the show for channel 5 now displays even though Sage now shows "15" at the top left.


Similarly, if channel 15 is showing at the top left, and I hit pageUP, I was expecting to see "16" flash at the bottom right but instead see this:
5
0
5
1
5
6 - and the show for channel 6 displays even though Sage now shows "16" at the top left.


Here are my settings (I've tried fiddling with them but can't seem to come up with a combo that flashes more than 1 digit at a time):

Digits per channel...4
Channel Change Prefix Code...None
Channel Change confirm Code...None
Delay Between Codes...80ms
Delay Between Changes...800ms
Repeat Factor 4

[jal]

I fiddled with the settings some more. One thing I've noticed is that the "real" channel (let's say 6) seems to flash as one of the digits. For instance suppose channel 6 is the actual channel displaying, and let's suppose sage is showing 33 and I hit pageUp. I would hope to see either "34", or "3" and then "4" but instead I get something like this (notice how "6" flashes since it is the actual current channel)
3
6
4
but in any case I still can't get two digits to register at once.