Thoughts about going HD

[Mortanis]

I've currently got Comcast Basic + Extended and 2 Lo-Def PVR cards (150 and 250 by hauppage). I'm thinking of getting myself an HD ready TV, as well as going for the HD digital package. A few concerns:

First, looking for recommendations on an HD card.

Second, what version of sage supports HD?

Thirdly, does sage detect HD? I mean, if Lost is on in HD on one channel and normal def on another, will it preferentially choose the HD through the HD tuner card if available? Having 3 cards like that, i'd obviously like the HD to be recorded at highest priority, using the lo-def cards for regular television.

And this isn't a sage question, but can anyone confirm: if i get comcast HD digital, i can still use my normal coax as lo def Basic + Extended for my other 2 cards? I won't need a box for each, I hope.

[Polypro]

1. I have a Fusion5 that works fine in SageTV

2. SageTV v4.x.x

3. You can set "Lost" as a favorite to record only from the HD channel.

4. You can split the cable and run it to your Hauppauges' RF input (getting a PVR 500 will minimize the splits, FYI) and get any channel you don't need a cable box for.

You do know that SageTV (and any other PVR app) only do Over The Air (antenna) HD, right? You can run S-Video out of the box, into the cards, but obviously it won't be true HD. The only other option is a 169time$ box (Firewire) or QAM through the Fusion software.

P

[Mortanis]

Well, cancel that, then. HD over the air isn't what I'm looking for. I assume this is simply because there isn't anything with bandwidth capabilities to pipe it from box to the comp, then computer to TV without loss?

So very disappointing. Looks like I'll be waiting a few years.

[lovingHDTV]

No it is not about anything that can pipe the data. It is more along the line of digital rights management. It is only going to get worse.

Depending on you digital tuner box you can use Sage to capture HDTV via the firewire port on the box. Check out the firewire thread on the forum. This will allow you to capture all the non-encrypted HDTV shows on your digital cable. What channels these are depends on what you cable company decided you can record. It varies per cable company.

[rp1790]

Hmm, I thought I understood this. You're saying that none of the PVR apps can record HD shows from an STB. If I get a HD STB from my provider (TimeWarner) that the HD shows I ordered can't be recorded?

Crikey, even though a HD TV isn't in my near future thats a bit of a disappointment.

[lovingHDTV]

The HD STB outputs the HD signal via component output, or a digital interface like DVI/HDMI. There is not a consumer level component capture device available, and DVI/HDMI are copy protected with HDCP to prevent capture.

You can capture via the STB firewire port per the firewire support thread on this forum. The caveat being the firewire port is active, and the program is not copy protected in a similar manner to the DVI/HDMI port. If it is not encrypted (protected), then you can record that digital signal with Sage succesfully. Unfortionately, whether your digital channel via firewire are encrypted or not is completely dependant on what your local cable provider has decided. Some people have been successful in lobbying their cable provided to not encrypt local channels. By that I mean the ones you could also get OTA with and antenna.

[malore]

Depending on what channels you mostly watch OTA HDTV can be a great deal. I get crystal clear reception on all my available stations ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, and PBS with the tiny indoor antenna that came with my ATI HDTV Wonder and no additional monthly fees. Even watching an HDTV show on a SDTV, makes TV more like watching a DVD because of the picture quality and 5.1 Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

[JUC]

this is the same issue i have been going through. I really want HD and found out i am elligible for locals through my STB as I can't get OTA signals. Its really frustrating because i finally convinced my wife to get a HDTV but we can't really take full advantage of it yet with any software apps. The only option for me is the get the Directv HD PVR (MPEG4 won't be coming my way for a while)--but that is like $300-$400.....hard to swallow and then i lose all the sage benefits...

[stanger89]

Seems like there's a bit of confusion, I'll try and fill in the missing pieces.

Digital cable is an MPEG-2 video stream, carried on a QAM (modulation).

Digital cable can be either encrypted or not.

The vast majority of digital cable (usually everything other than the local channels) is encrypted.

The only things that can decrypt, encrypted digital cable, are a cable box, or a CableCard compatible/certified device.

Boxes that meet the above criteria will only output via (uncompressed/raw video) Component, DVI, HDMI, or (compressed/MPEG-2) Firewire.

Uncompressed HD represents and enormous amount of data that is simply impractical to capture, and impossible without pro equipment.

Firewire, while MPEG-2 and practical data wise, usually requires a DTCP (aka 5C) compliant/certified device to be enable.

PCs are neither CableCard, nor 5C certified, so the only ways to record are from uncompressed Component (DVI/HDMI are usually/always HDCP encrypted), or non-encrypted/non-HDCP flagged sources.

Effectively, a PC is only capable of recording non-encrypted HD directly off the line, or non-DTCP flagged content over firewire.

The only hope at this point, is the announced CableCard support in Windows Vista (as well as the DirecTV interoperability).

[Mortanis]

In any case, I'm not going to be able to just call up Comcast, order HD cable, get a box, and patch everything together like I have now.

I'm not even aware of OTA HD available in my area yet. Something to look into, though.

I think I can live with standard cable for a while longer, yet.

[lovingHDTV]

Take a look at

www.antenaweb.org

You put in your address and it will tell you what is available in your area and point you towards the proper antenna.

[Rogue9]

I can capture almost any HD content from my cable box thru the firewire port. The only HD content I can't get is HBO HD, as it is encrypted. Everything else works just fine. I'm in the process of automating this process thru Sage (see http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...ead.php?t=9288 for details).

Unfortunately, my cable provider does not have my local channels in HD, so I'd have to get an HD tuner/capture card, and an HD antenna if I want to get those. I know at least 2 of my locals (ABC and NBC) are in digital HD, so I don't know why my cable provider doesn't have them.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by Rogue9

I can capture almost any HD content from my cable box thru the firewire port.

You're very luck, don't expect it to last.

[jptaz]

I would like to 2nd Malores comment.

I have a $28 attic mounted antenna and I got all 7 Local HD Channels (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, WB, UPN, PBS ) and I am currently recording over 20 hours of HD content a week on two Tuners. I just ordered a 3rd tuner since on wednesdays I have 3 shows I want in HD between 9 and 10 PM. I still record the Cable TV version from my cable boxes, as on occasion I have seen recording problems...but SageTV is actively working on these issues.

John

[stanger89]

That must be nice. I'm lucky to find 2 hours of network programming worth watching

[Rogue9]

That must be nice. I'm lucky to find 2 hours of network programming worth watching

QFT. Sure I can record HD, but I don't have much worth recording without the locals. There's only so many times you can watch the HD "showcase" programs on INHD. Spiderman 2 was great on HBO HD, but most of the other movies they show are older, or not worth watching.

I DID find some HD airings of Battlestar Galactica on Universal HD, but they are from last season

Most of my viewing is on Sci Fi or WB, and the WB is not in HD here yet.

[stanger89]

Sounds familiar

[PGPfan]

Originally Posted by JUC

this is the same issue i have been going through. I really want HD and found out i am elligible for locals through my STB as I can't get OTA signals. Its really frustrating because i finally convinced my wife to get a HDTV but we can't really take full advantage of it yet with any software apps. The only option for me is the get the Directv HD PVR (MPEG4 won't be coming my way for a while)--but that is like $300-$400.....hard to swallow and then i lose all the sage benefits...

JUC, you need to look into 169Time. You can get HD via satellite, and NOT give up any of the Sage benefits. It's not the least expensive solution, but it's not unreasonable for what you can do with it.

-PGPfan

[Mortanis]

antennaweb.org gives me a crappy local channel and UPN as my only 2 options. :| Completely destroying my hopes of an HD entertainment world.