OT: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?

Again, my Mac easily works as a PVR. I want to use my Mac though and
not have it sitting there waiting for TV programs.

I have an extra laptop that I don't really need. I would like to set
it up as a PVR with two USB tuners (or one that has dual capability)
and good PVR / Guide software. I certainly would consider Beyond TV
for the guide part.

I am hoping that Tom might have some good ideas about how to
accomplish this.

Otherwise I can use my desktop PC but it's in another room.

On Wed, 27 Feb 2008 02:07:30 -0600, Journey <> wrote:

>Again, my Mac easily works as a PVR. I want to use my Mac though and
>not have it sitting there waiting for TV programs.
>
>I have an extra laptop that I don't really need. I would like to set
>it up as a PVR with two USB tuners (or one that has dual capability)
>and good PVR / Guide software. I certainly would consider Beyond TV
>for the guide part.
>
>I am hoping that Tom might have some good ideas about how to
>accomplish this.
>
>Otherwise I can use my desktop PC but it's in another room.

I want to put in a plug for Hauppauge. I had an older USB tuner that
doesn't work completely under Vista.

They have the most responsive tech support that I have ever
experienced.

They could not resolve the problem, so they are sending me out a
replacement -- either new or the same model with different hardware
inside.

Unfortunately, it only records one channel at a time, and I can't
watch another channel while recording. I want to be able to record
two channels at a time.

If I can't find a USB tuner that can do this then I'll just live with
that limitation, but since the Mac handles it fine I am hoping that
the PC does too.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:08 AM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
> Subject: OT: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>
> Again, my Mac easily works as a PVR. I want to use my Mac though and
> not have it sitting there waiting for TV programs.
>
> I have an extra laptop that I don't really need. I would like to set
> it up as a PVR with two USB tuners (or one that has dual capability)
> and good PVR / Guide software. I certainly would consider Beyond TV
> for the guide part.
>
> I am hoping that Tom might have some good ideas about how to
> accomplish this.
>
> Otherwise I can use my desktop PC but it's in another room.

Recording from what source?

From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't need
the HD tier), same answer
For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their clunky.

The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your LAN.
Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.

Tom

On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:10:41 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>> Posted At: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 2:08 AM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>> Subject: OT: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>>
>> Again, my Mac easily works as a PVR. I want to use my Mac though and
>> not have it sitting there waiting for TV programs.
>>
>> I have an extra laptop that I don't really need. I would like to set
>> it up as a PVR with two USB tuners (or one that has dual capability)
>> and good PVR / Guide software. I certainly would consider Beyond TV
>> for the guide part.
>>
>> I am hoping that Tom might have some good ideas about how to
>> accomplish this.
>>
>> Otherwise I can use my desktop PC but it's in another room.
>
>Recording from what source?
>
>From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
>BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
>For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't need
>the HD tier), same answer
>For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their clunky.
>
>The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your LAN.
>Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.
>
>Tom

Thanks as usual Tom. I am going to get the SiliconDust HDHomerun
after doing a little more research. It seems reasonably priced for
what it does. I am just a little unclear about how I would connect it
to my network, and whether I could view TV wirelessly or if I'd have
to have the viewing TV connected via wire. Even if so I have a lot of
CAT6 cable, but am running out of places to hook to on my router.

I already have EyeTV 3 for my Mac,and it looks like SD HDHomerun will
work with it unless there are firmware differences for Mac and PC but
I doulbt it. I will go with the PC version if that's the case.

Hauppauge is going to send me a replacement (for free) for an older
USB unit that doesn't work right with Vista. It will be interesting
to see what they send me because my model is no longer being sold by
them.

On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:10:41 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>Recording from what source?
>
>From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
>BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
>For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't need
>the HD tier), same answer
>For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their clunky.
>
>The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your LAN.
>Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.
>
>Tom

OK Tom, this is no doubt a stupid question but I have done some Google
research and am still uncertain so here goes ...

There seems to be "analog cable" and "digital cable". I have
Charter's extended basic cable, with about 60+ channels on it. I
assumed that this was "analog cable" because that's what I have used
as an option for tuning from PVRs in the past and for guides.

I also assumed that digital cable requires a digital cable box.

When I look at this guide:

http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/05/...eam-beyond-tv/

It doesn't talk about plugging into a cable box, but rather straight
to the wall.

So, I am wondering what QAM is, whether I need "digital cable" or
whether any signal coming from the wall from the cable would work with
HDHomerun.

I am going to continue to research it myself, but thought maybe you
could answer it quickly.

Just like most things, it seems more complex at first. I remember
before I got a HDTV being confused by all the terms like 1080p, etc.
In hindsight, that was so simple.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Saturday, March 01, 2008 4:21 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
> Subject: Re: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>
> On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:10:41 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
> wrote:
>
> >Recording from what source?
> >
> >From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
> >BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
> >For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't
> need
> >the HD tier), same answer
> >For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their clunky.
> >
> >The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your
LAN.
> >Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.
> >
> >Tom
>
> OK Tom, this is no doubt a stupid question but I have done some Google
> research and am still uncertain so here goes ...
>
> There seems to be "analog cable" and "digital cable". I have
> Charter's extended basic cable, with about 60+ channels on it. I
> assumed that this was "analog cable" because that's what I have used
> as an option for tuning from PVRs in the past and for guides.
>
> I also assumed that digital cable requires a digital cable box.
>
> When I look at this guide:
>
>
http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/05/...stream-beyond-
> tv/
>
> It doesn't talk about plugging into a cable box, but rather straight
> to the wall.
>
> So, I am wondering what QAM is, whether I need "digital cable" or
> whether any signal coming from the wall from the cable would work with
> HDHomerun.
>
> I am going to continue to research it myself, but thought maybe you
> could answer it quickly.
>
> Just like most things, it seems more complex at first. I remember
> before I got a HDTV being confused by all the terms like 1080p, etc.
> In hindsight, that was so simple.


OK, here's the simple explanation.

There are two kinds of cable.

Analog cable which requires an analog tuner (Hauppauge PVR-250, etc).
This will get the most channels, but NONE in HD
Digital cable. This is a little more complex. You CAN use a cable box,
connected to an analog tuner (like the PVR-150 or 250) and get ALL the
digital channels, including HBO, etc. ALL will be in SD.

A QAM tuner tunes digital channels, without a cable box, but ONLY those
that are unencrypted. Almost EVERYTHING is encrypted by most cable
companies, including HBO, TNT, etc. SO, the HDHomerun is ONLY useful
for your LOCAL channels. They should be on your basic service, in QAM
format, BUT (and it is a big but), they could be in SD, HD or both. For
example, Brighthouse in Orlando only provided SD even though they could
give HD. Mediacomm here in Iowa provides HD.

So, it is a bit of trial and error.

There is currently no way to record ENCRYPTED digital content (including
HD) except with Vista and a digital cablecard tuner. These tuners can
ONLY be purchased with a new machine (including the XPS420) and they are
very expensive. IN addition, you have to get a cable card (or two) from
you cable company.

Not sure all that helped.

Tom

On Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:06:07 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>> Posted At: Saturday, March 01, 2008 4:21 PM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>> Subject: Re: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>>
>> On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:10:41 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
>> wrote:
>>
>> >Recording from what source?
>> >
>> >From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
>> >BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
>> >For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't
>> need
>> >the HD tier), same answer
>> >For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their clunky.
>> >
>> >The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your
>LAN.
>> >Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.
>> >
>> >Tom
>>
>> OK Tom, this is no doubt a stupid question but I have done some Google
>> research and am still uncertain so here goes ...
>>
>> There seems to be "analog cable" and "digital cable". I have
>> Charter's extended basic cable, with about 60+ channels on it. I
>> assumed that this was "analog cable" because that's what I have used
>> as an option for tuning from PVRs in the past and for guides.
>>
>> I also assumed that digital cable requires a digital cable box.
>>
>> When I look at this guide:
>>
>>
>http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/05/...stream-beyond-
>> tv/
>>
>> It doesn't talk about plugging into a cable box, but rather straight
>> to the wall.
>>
>> So, I am wondering what QAM is, whether I need "digital cable" or
>> whether any signal coming from the wall from the cable would work with
>> HDHomerun.
>>
>> I am going to continue to research it myself, but thought maybe you
>> could answer it quickly.
>>
>> Just like most things, it seems more complex at first. I remember
>> before I got a HDTV being confused by all the terms like 1080p, etc.
>> In hindsight, that was so simple.
>
>
>OK, here's the simple explanation.
>
>There are two kinds of cable.
>
>Analog cable which requires an analog tuner (Hauppauge PVR-250, etc).
>This will get the most channels, but NONE in HD
>Digital cable. This is a little more complex. You CAN use a cable box,
>connected to an analog tuner (like the PVR-150 or 250) and get ALL the
>digital channels, including HBO, etc. ALL will be in SD.
>
>A QAM tuner tunes digital channels, without a cable box, but ONLY those
>that are unencrypted. Almost EVERYTHING is encrypted by most cable
>companies, including HBO, TNT, etc. SO, the HDHomerun is ONLY useful
>for your LOCAL channels. They should be on your basic service, in QAM
>format, BUT (and it is a big but), they could be in SD, HD or both. For
>example, Brighthouse in Orlando only provided SD even though they could
>give HD. Mediacomm here in Iowa provides HD.
>
>So, it is a bit of trial and error.
>
>There is currently no way to record ENCRYPTED digital content (including
>HD) except with Vista and a digital cablecard tuner. These tuners can
>ONLY be purchased with a new machine (including the XPS420) and they are
>very expensive. IN addition, you have to get a cable card (or two) from
>you cable company.
>
>Not sure all that helped.
>
>Tom

Hi Tom -- thanks, it did help. I'm a little unclear whether the
HDHomerun would record channels like CNBC (60), Fox news, etc. I
think that is "analog cable, unencrypted". Do you know if it would
record those without a digital box?

My two USB Mac PVRs record all of those channels, so I'd think the
HDHomerun would. I like the idea of it being connected to my network.

I can take it from here -- I'll read your response a few more times
and Google and call my cable company and look at user reviews on the
web and I should be able to understand this.

Maybe I'll just get a Mac mini and use it as a PVR. and for a few
other things. Apple prices its computers just at the point where I
consider them not to be worth it -- the Mini for example doesn't come
with a Super Drive in its default config.

Anyway I have enough to go on from here -- thanks for your input.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Saturday, March 01, 2008 6:49 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
> Subject: Re: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
>
> On Sun, 02 Mar 2008 00:06:07 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> >> Posted At: Saturday, March 01, 2008 4:21 PM
> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> Conversation: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
> >> Subject: Re: Dual USB Tuner and PVR on PC laptop?
> >>
> >> On Sat, 01 Mar 2008 05:10:41 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
> >> wrote:
> >>
> >> >Recording from what source?
> >> >
> >> >From OTA (antenna) HD, I'd get the SiliconDust HDHomerun and use
> >> >BeyondTV or SageTV or MCE
> >> >For Unencrypted QAM HD (local channels on cable, if offered, don't
> >> need
> >> >the HD tier), same answer
> >> >For SD, probably a pair of Hauppauge PVR-USB2, although their
> clunky.
> >> >
> >> >The HDHomerun is a network device. Plugs into your coax and your
> >LAN.
> >> >Doesn't have to connect to the recording machine.
> >> >
> >> >Tom
> >>
> >> OK Tom, this is no doubt a stupid question but I have done some
> Google
> >> research and am still uncertain so here goes ...
> >>
> >> There seems to be "analog cable" and "digital cable". I have
> >> Charter's extended basic cable, with about 60+ channels on it. I
> >> assumed that this was "analog cable" because that's what I have
used
> >> as an option for tuning from PVRs in the past and for guides.
> >>
> >> I also assumed that digital cable requires a digital cable box.
> >>
> >> When I look at this guide:
> >>
> >>
> >http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/05/...nd-snapstream-
> beyond-
> >> tv/
> >>
> >> It doesn't talk about plugging into a cable box, but rather
straight
> >> to the wall.
> >>
> >> So, I am wondering what QAM is, whether I need "digital cable" or
> >> whether any signal coming from the wall from the cable would work
> with
> >> HDHomerun.
> >>
> >> I am going to continue to research it myself, but thought maybe you
> >> could answer it quickly.
> >>
> >> Just like most things, it seems more complex at first. I remember
> >> before I got a HDTV being confused by all the terms like 1080p,
etc.
> >> In hindsight, that was so simple.
> >
> >
> >OK, here's the simple explanation.
> >
> >There are two kinds of cable.
> >
> >Analog cable which requires an analog tuner (Hauppauge PVR-250, etc).
> >This will get the most channels, but NONE in HD
> >Digital cable. This is a little more complex. You CAN use a cable
> box,
> >connected to an analog tuner (like the PVR-150 or 250) and get ALL
the
> >digital channels, including HBO, etc. ALL will be in SD.
> >
> >A QAM tuner tunes digital channels, without a cable box, but ONLY
> those
> >that are unencrypted. Almost EVERYTHING is encrypted by most cable
> >companies, including HBO, TNT, etc. SO, the HDHomerun is ONLY useful
> >for your LOCAL channels. They should be on your basic service, in
QAM
> >format, BUT (and it is a big but), they could be in SD, HD or both.
> For
> >example, Brighthouse in Orlando only provided SD even though they
> could
> >give HD. Mediacomm here in Iowa provides HD.
> >
> >So, it is a bit of trial and error.
> >
> >There is currently no way to record ENCRYPTED digital content
> (including
> >HD) except with Vista and a digital cablecard tuner. These tuners
can
> >ONLY be purchased with a new machine (including the XPS420) and they
> are
> >very expensive. IN addition, you have to get a cable card (or two)
> from
> >you cable company.
> >
> >Not sure all that helped.
> >
> >Tom
>
> Hi Tom -- thanks, it did help. I'm a little unclear whether the
> HDHomerun would record channels like CNBC (60), Fox news, etc. I
> think that is "analog cable, unencrypted". Do you know if it would
> record those without a digital box?
>
> My two USB Mac PVRs record all of those channels, so I'd think the
> HDHomerun would. I like the idea of it being connected to my network.
>
> I can take it from here -- I'll read your response a few more times
> and Google and call my cable company and look at user reviews on the
> web and I should be able to understand this.
>
> Maybe I'll just get a Mac mini and use it as a PVR. and for a few
> other things. Apple prices its computers just at the point where I
> consider them not to be worth it -- the Mini for example doesn't come
> with a Super Drive in its default config.
>
> Anyway I have enough to go on from here -- thanks for your input.


The HDHomerun will NOT record those. It does NO analog channels.

On Sun, 02 Mar 2008 01:14:26 GMT, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>
>The HDHomerun will NOT record those. It does NO analog channels.

OK, thanks. That eliminates it for me. As I think I mentioned
Hauppauge is replacing one of my older USB PVRs for free because it
doesn't work with Vista. I will probably get it next week sometime. I
don't know what they will be sending me.

I wonder if I can somehow get the video off my cable company's PVR. I
am always close to running out of space. There is a USB port on the
back of it but I a guessing that's used for firmware updates from a
flash drive.