OT: HDTV Recording

There has been a lot of discussion about HDTV's here so I don't feel
too bad about this off-topic post.

I have a 1080p LCD HDTV (Westinghouse 42", I recommend it) and get HD
channels through a Charter cable box. I would like to be able to
record HD broadcasts from the cable box for later viewing.

Questions ... (and I can try some of these myself)

- Can I record from the HD cable box on my computer using a Hauppauge
WinTV PVR? (mine is currently in transit being replaced by Hauppauge
-- they stick by their products).

- If not, what kind of PC hardware would I need?

- Can I record from the HD cable box to a normal VCR?

- Are the HD hard-drive video recorders a good way to go? Some of
them have dual tuners, dual 250GB hard drives, and a way to burn DVDs.

- Finally, Tivo seems to offer HD recording but I am wondering if
there are any gotchas that I should be aware of.

Thanks for any info. -- this group led me to the right HDTV, and I'm
hoping it will help with the next step.

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:48 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: HDTV Recording
> Subject: OT: HDTV Recording
>
> There has been a lot of discussion about HDTV's here so I don't feel
> too bad about this off-topic post.
>
> I have a 1080p LCD HDTV (Westinghouse 42", I recommend it) and get HD
> channels through a Charter cable box. I would like to be able to
> record HD broadcasts from the cable box for later viewing.
>
> Questions ... (and I can try some of these myself)
>
> - Can I record from the HD cable box on my computer using a Hauppauge
> WinTV PVR? (mine is currently in transit being replaced by Hauppauge
> -- they stick by their products).
>
> - If not, what kind of PC hardware would I need?
>
> - Can I record from the HD cable box to a normal VCR?
>
> - Are the HD hard-drive video recorders a good way to go? Some of
> them have dual tuners, dual 250GB hard drives, and a way to burn DVDs.
>
> - Finally, Tivo seems to offer HD recording but I am wondering if
> there are any gotchas that I should be aware of.
>
> Thanks for any info. -- this group led me to the right HDTV, and I'm
> hoping it will help with the next step.

Unless you want to make a SIGNIFICANT investment, I'd suggest the DVR
from your cable company.

Here's the answers in a nutshell.

- You can record to a regular VCR, but of course not in HD.
- You can record to your PVR-USB2, but of course, no in HD.
- You cannot record from your cable box in HD.
- You can record LOCAL channels in HD two ways:
- Over the air with an antenna and a card such as the Hauppauge
PVR-950 (BeyondTV does it well)
- Over cable with a SiliconDust HDHomerun (if your cable company
broadcasts HD in QAM format)
Again, BeyondTV does it well.

If you want to record Premium Channels in HD, you have two choices:
- Cable company DVR
- ATI CableCard tuner and Vista Home Premium/Ultimate. REQUIRES a
BRAND-NEW PC of at least $2000.

I record both over the air HD AND cable HD (I have an HDHomerun and a
variety of OTA tuners). Works well, but my investment is ridiculous. I
do it because it is my hobby.

In your situation, with one TV, go with the DVR. I have a lot more
HDTVs and didn't want a DVR per TV since there is no way to play from
one TV to a different TV (yet).

Tom

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:31:48 -0400, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>> Posted At: Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:48 PM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: HDTV Recording
>> Subject: OT: HDTV Recording
>>
>> There has been a lot of discussion about HDTV's here so I don't feel
>> too bad about this off-topic post.
>>
>> I have a 1080p LCD HDTV (Westinghouse 42", I recommend it) and get HD
>> channels through a Charter cable box. I would like to be able to
>> record HD broadcasts from the cable box for later viewing.
>>
>> Questions ... (and I can try some of these myself)
>>
>> - Can I record from the HD cable box on my computer using a Hauppauge
>> WinTV PVR? (mine is currently in transit being replaced by Hauppauge
>> -- they stick by their products).
>>
>> - If not, what kind of PC hardware would I need?
>>
>> - Can I record from the HD cable box to a normal VCR?
>>
>> - Are the HD hard-drive video recorders a good way to go? Some of
>> them have dual tuners, dual 250GB hard drives, and a way to burn DVDs.
>>
>> - Finally, Tivo seems to offer HD recording but I am wondering if
>> there are any gotchas that I should be aware of.
>>
>> Thanks for any info. -- this group led me to the right HDTV, and I'm
>> hoping it will help with the next step.
>
>Unless you want to make a SIGNIFICANT investment, I'd suggest the DVR
>from your cable company.
>
>Here's the answers in a nutshell.
>
>- You can record to a regular VCR, but of course not in HD.
>- You can record to your PVR-USB2, but of course, no in HD.
>- You cannot record from your cable box in HD.
>- You can record LOCAL channels in HD two ways:
> - Over the air with an antenna and a card such as the Hauppauge
>PVR-950 (BeyondTV does it well)
> - Over cable with a SiliconDust HDHomerun (if your cable company
>broadcasts HD in QAM format)
> Again, BeyondTV does it well.
>
>If you want to record Premium Channels in HD, you have two choices:
> - Cable company DVR
> - ATI CableCard tuner and Vista Home Premium/Ultimate. REQUIRES a
>BRAND-NEW PC of at least $2000.
>
>I record both over the air HD AND cable HD (I have an HDHomerun and a
>variety of OTA tuners). Works well, but my investment is ridiculous. I
>do it because it is my hobby.
>
>In your situation, with one TV, go with the DVR. I have a lot more
>HDTVs and didn't want a DVR per TV since there is no way to play from
>one TV to a different TV (yet).
>
>Tom

Thanks Tom, you've cut to the chase and saved me a LOT of time trying
to understand all this!

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>
> Thanks Tom, you've cut to the chase and saved me a LOT of time trying
> to understand all this!

I'd go into more detail about my setup, which could be useful for you,
but I don't want our good friend Sue to abuse me for it.

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 15:11:52 -0400, "Tom Scales" <>
wrote:

>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>>
>> Thanks Tom, you've cut to the chase and saved me a LOT of time trying
>> to understand all this!
>
>I'd go into more detail about my setup, which could be useful for you,
>but I don't want our good friend Sue to abuse me for it.

Perhaps Sue could chalk it up to boys with their toys? :-)

(speaking for myself, for sure)

Some Cable systems allow HD recording -but you must rent their cable box DVR
solution.

Comcast has a solution.

Also, if your cable system will support a Cable card, you can purchase a
high end TIVO and have HD recording. This requires a subscription to TIVO as
well.

Some HD signals are not encrypted- Comcast does not encrypt their local
station HD channels (at least in my area) and I can view them with a basic
QAM tuner enabled digital TV. If you can locate a QAM tuner based TV card or
DVR, them you should be able to record only those stations.


"Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
news:E632BC13AFB14FB0806E25569DE01C34@M2010...
>
>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
>> Posted At: Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:48 PM
>> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
>> Conversation: HDTV Recording
>> Subject: OT: HDTV Recording
>>
>> There has been a lot of discussion about HDTV's here so I don't feel
>> too bad about this off-topic post.
>>
>> I have a 1080p LCD HDTV (Westinghouse 42", I recommend it) and get HD
>> channels through a Charter cable box. I would like to be able to
>> record HD broadcasts from the cable box for later viewing.
>>
>> Questions ... (and I can try some of these myself)
>>
>> - Can I record from the HD cable box on my computer using a Hauppauge
>> WinTV PVR? (mine is currently in transit being replaced by Hauppauge
>> -- they stick by their products).
>>
>> - If not, what kind of PC hardware would I need?
>>
>> - Can I record from the HD cable box to a normal VCR?
>>
>> - Are the HD hard-drive video recorders a good way to go? Some of
>> them have dual tuners, dual 250GB hard drives, and a way to burn DVDs.
>>
>> - Finally, Tivo seems to offer HD recording but I am wondering if
>> there are any gotchas that I should be aware of.
>>
>> Thanks for any info. -- this group led me to the right HDTV, and I'm
>> hoping it will help with the next step.
>
> Unless you want to make a SIGNIFICANT investment, I'd suggest the DVR
> from your cable company.
>
> Here's the answers in a nutshell.
>
> - You can record to a regular VCR, but of course not in HD.
> - You can record to your PVR-USB2, but of course, no in HD.
> - You cannot record from your cable box in HD.
> - You can record LOCAL channels in HD two ways:
> - Over the air with an antenna and a card such as the Hauppauge
> PVR-950 (BeyondTV does it well)
> - Over cable with a SiliconDust HDHomerun (if your cable company
> broadcasts HD in QAM format)
> Again, BeyondTV does it well.
>
> If you want to record Premium Channels in HD, you have two choices:
> - Cable company DVR
> - ATI CableCard tuner and Vista Home Premium/Ultimate. REQUIRES a
> BRAND-NEW PC of at least $2000.
>
> I record both over the air HD AND cable HD (I have an HDHomerun and a
> variety of OTA tuners). Works well, but my investment is ridiculous. I
> do it because it is my hobby.
>
> In your situation, with one TV, go with the DVR. I have a lot more
> HDTVs and didn't want a DVR per TV since there is no way to play from
> one TV to a different TV (yet).
>
> Tom
>

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 14:57:45 -0700, "Keith" <>
wrote:

>Some Cable systems allow HD recording -but you must rent their cable box DVR
>solution.
>
>Comcast has a solution.
>
>Also, if your cable system will support a Cable card, you can purchase a
>high end TIVO and have HD recording. This requires a subscription to TIVO as
>well.
>
>Some HD signals are not encrypted- Comcast does not encrypt their local
>station HD channels (at least in my area) and I can view them with a basic
>QAM tuner enabled digital TV. If you can locate a QAM tuner based TV card or
>DVR, them you should be able to record only those stations.

Charter makes reference to its HD DVR, but doesn't mention the price.
So, I will find out sometime this week. I am enjoying a lot of movies
I didn't know existed, such as Running With Scissors (hilarious). I've
never been much of a TV person but HD TV with movie channels are a lot
different so I am going to enjoy it over the winter months.

On Sun, 30 Sep 2007 17:06:03 -0500, Journey <> wrote:

>I am enjoying a lot of movies
>I didn't know existed, such as Running With Scissors (hilarious).

It was hilarious for a while, until I posted -- but then it turned
very dark and strange! It quickly went from 3 stars down to 1 1/2.
It sure is different ...

Yes, I may not have made my points clear, as I covered all that.

The cable systems DVR will record HD, even the premium channels.

Tivo will some, but not all, because the cablecard has limitations. For
example, it won't do NBA League Pass.

The QAM tuner I suggested was the SiliconDust HDHomerun, which is
outstanding. I have one and it is a dual tuner too. Depends on your
cable system. Mine finally does the locals in HD. They didn't until
this month and they don't have to.

Tom

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Keith [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> Posted At: Sunday, September 30, 2007 5:58 PM
> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> Conversation: HDTV Recording
> Subject: Re: HDTV Recording
>
> Some Cable systems allow HD recording -but you must rent their cable
> box DVR
> solution.
>
> Comcast has a solution.
>
> Also, if your cable system will support a Cable card, you can purchase
> a
> high end TIVO and have HD recording. This requires a subscription to
> TIVO as
> well.
>
> Some HD signals are not encrypted- Comcast does not encrypt their
local
> station HD channels (at least in my area) and I can view them with a
> basic
> QAM tuner enabled digital TV. If you can locate a QAM tuner based TV
> card or
> DVR, them you should be able to record only those stations.
>
>
> "Tom Scales" <> wrote in message
> news:E632BC13AFB14FB0806E25569DE01C34@M2010...
> >
> >
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: Journey [private.php?do=newpm&u=]
> >> Posted At: Sunday, September 30, 2007 12:48 PM
> >> Posted To: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell
> >> Conversation: HDTV Recording
> >> Subject: OT: HDTV Recording
> >>
> >> There has been a lot of discussion about HDTV's here so I don't
feel
> >> too bad about this off-topic post.
> >>
> >> I have a 1080p LCD HDTV (Westinghouse 42", I recommend it) and get
> HD
> >> channels through a Charter cable box. I would like to be able to
> >> record HD broadcasts from the cable box for later viewing.
> >>
> >> Questions ... (and I can try some of these myself)
> >>
> >> - Can I record from the HD cable box on my computer using a
> Hauppauge
> >> WinTV PVR? (mine is currently in transit being replaced by
> Hauppauge
> >> -- they stick by their products).
> >>
> >> - If not, what kind of PC hardware would I need?
> >>
> >> - Can I record from the HD cable box to a normal VCR?
> >>
> >> - Are the HD hard-drive video recorders a good way to go? Some of
> >> them have dual tuners, dual 250GB hard drives, and a way to burn
> DVDs.
> >>
> >> - Finally, Tivo seems to offer HD recording but I am wondering if
> >> there are any gotchas that I should be aware of.
> >>
> >> Thanks for any info. -- this group led me to the right HDTV, and
I'm
> >> hoping it will help with the next step.
> >
> > Unless you want to make a SIGNIFICANT investment, I'd suggest the
DVR
> > from your cable company.
> >
> > Here's the answers in a nutshell.
> >
> > - You can record to a regular VCR, but of course not in HD.
> > - You can record to your PVR-USB2, but of course, no in HD.
> > - You cannot record from your cable box in HD.
> > - You can record LOCAL channels in HD two ways:
> > - Over the air with an antenna and a card such as the Hauppauge
> > PVR-950 (BeyondTV does it well)
> > - Over cable with a SiliconDust HDHomerun (if your cable company
> > broadcasts HD in QAM format)
> > Again, BeyondTV does it well.
> >
> > If you want to record Premium Channels in HD, you have two choices:
> > - Cable company DVR
> > - ATI CableCard tuner and Vista Home Premium/Ultimate. REQUIRES a
> > BRAND-NEW PC of at least $2000.
> >
> > I record both over the air HD AND cable HD (I have an HDHomerun and
a
> > variety of OTA tuners). Works well, but my investment is
ridiculous.
> I
> > do it because it is my hobby.
> >
> > In your situation, with one TV, go with the DVR. I have a lot more
> > HDTVs and didn't want a DVR per TV since there is no way to play
from
> > one TV to a different TV (yet).
> >
> > Tom
> >