Hauppauge WinTV HD PVR (H.264) screenshot and pre-order link

[frontlinegeek]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

3: What hard drives?

Exactly.

These HD-PVR units are only meant as a way to stream the HD from your STB into your HTPC. They are not a storage device of their own.

[pat_smith1969]

Originally Posted by palehorse

/noob on

1) Since the analog hole is already taken advantage of by the input, why not include an HDMI output as well? (like AVR's that do any source-to-a-single-HDMI output) Or am I missing something in the process?

2) Also, with an added video processor, couldnt this thing legally upconvert all recorded HD content to 1080p? (again, like an AVR) Or would doing so make it cost prohibitive?

3) Can we easily switch out the hard drive(s) without voiding any warranties?

I'll hang up now and listen to your responses...

/noob off

Think of this thing like an external TV Tuner Card. It simply takes the component stream coming from your STB and compresses it with h.264 then streams that file to the hard drive on your media PC (sage TV or Mediacenter) via USB.

1. There is no need for a HDMI out, as the primary function is to dump a file on your hard drive over USB. Also HDMI is significantly more expensive to incorporate than Component.

2. Why would you want it to upconvert 480i streams? (I think) It currently takes 480i/p input (over the component) compresses with h.264 and then dumps that out over your USB port to your media center. If you want upconversion why not use either the electronics in your TV or run everything through a Home Audio Reciever? Let this thing stay as cheap as it can be so it can do the very specific job it is meant to do.

3. it doesnt have any hard drives, it dumps onto the HD on your media center PC (sageTV PC, whatever).

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

1:Yes, that would increase the price significantly. Plus, not much point to that.
2: Again, price would be increased by something like this.
3: What hard drives?

1. Well, I personally prefer HDMI outputs for simplicity sake, and cable management purposes, if nothing else. Also, some AVR's work better with HDMI-to-HDMI pass-through capabilities... just a thought. I'm not sure how much more it would cost to throw in an HDMI output, but it might be worth making two models a different pricepoints...?

2. perhaps add a "luxury" model in what would become a "lineup" of these devices...? the luxury model could include 1080p upconversion... just a thought.

3. Woops! I zoned out and thought this thing had local storage... I guess it's on whatever PC it's connected to. Will it work if it's connected to a NAS via firewire, or does it require SageTV or MCE?

*NEW* 4) Is this thing simply a legal way to bypass the need for a certified CableCARD HTPC for recording ALL cable/sat HD content? Is that what this comes down to?

thanks for helping me with my noobness...

[mikejaner]

Originally Posted by palehorse

1. Well, I personally prefer HDMI outputs for simplicity sake, and cable management purposes, if nothing else. Also, some AVR's work better with HDMI-to-HDMI pass-through capabilities... just a thought. I'm not sure how much more it would cost to throw in an HDMI output, but it might be worth making two models a different pricepoints...?

2. perhaps add a "luxury" model in what would become a "lineup" of these devices...? the luxury model could include 1080p upconversion... just a thought.

3. Woops! I zoned out and thought this thing had local storage... I guess it's on whatever PC it's connected to. Will it work if it's connected to a NAS via firewire, or does it require windows/linux/osx?

thanks for helping me with my noobness...

Why not use the HDMI output on your cable box? At the same time you can pipe the component outputs to the HD-PVR. Like others have said, this device is not for upgrading the signals to your TV/Reciever. It's strictly for recording. The fact that it has passthrough is probably more than anybody in this forum expected it to have. I for one will not even be using the passthrough, as I will have these hooked up in a closet in my basement, while I have my HD extenders doing the playback on my TV's.

I think what I am getting to, is, adding the features you are talking about would probably at least double the price to $500. I think you and maybe one other person, might think that reasonable. As a result, wasted time and money for Hauppauge.

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by mikejaner

Why not use the HDMI output on your cable box? At the same time you can pipe the component outputs to the HD-PVR. Like others have said, this device is not for upgrading the signals to your TV/Reciever. It's strictly for recording. The fact that it has passthrough is probably more than anybody in this forum expected it to have. I for one will not even be using the passthrough, as I will have these hooked up in a closet in my basement, while I have my HD extenders doing the playback on my TV's.

I think what I am getting to, is, adding the features you are talking about would probably at least double the price to $500. I think you and maybe one other person, might think that reasonable. As a result, wasted time and money for Hauppauge.

LOL! fair enough! I guess I was just trying to catch up to where this fits into my setup.

I think I got it now... (See my new question #4 in my last post)

thanks for setting me straight!

[Kirby]

Originally Posted by palehorse

1. Well, I personally prefer HDMI outputs for simplicity sake, and cable management purposes, if nothing else. Also, some AVR's work better with HDMI-to-HDMI pass-through capabilities... just a thought. I'm not sure how much more it would cost to throw in an HDMI output, but it might be worth making two models a different pricepoints...?

2. perhaps add a "luxury" model in what would become a "lineup" of these devices...? the luxury model could include 1080p upconversion... just a thought.

3. Woops! I zoned out and thought this thing had local storage... I guess it's on whatever PC it's connected to. Will it work if it's connected to a NAS via firewire, or does it require SageTV or MCE?

*NEW* 4) Is this thing simply a legal way to bypass the need for a certified CableCARD HTPC? Is that what this comes down to?

thanks for helping me with my noobness...

I dont think either #1 or #2 are within the scope of this product as a whole. Its not about upgrading the signal, or making a better output connection (HDMI). Its simply a way to record/view/capture component HD into a PC.

I think the assumption was that if you already have a component HD STB, then you just put this inline and use it.

Its goal isnt to provide you with 1080p or HDMI, and frankly, I wouldnt want a $250 (or even $350) device doing either of those tasks.

Re: your #4, yes.

[palehorse]

Originally Posted by Kirby

Re: your #4, yes.

then I'm sold!

in for one...

[kingwr]

Originally Posted by btrcp2000

I hope I don't end up threadjacking here, but how easy would it be for them to plug the analog hole and make this a pricy paperweight?

As far as DirecTV, they probably won't cut-off the component outputs. However, I did read that based upon the broadcast flag, the H20 and HR20 could downconvert the HD signal to low quality before outputting on component. In this scenario HDMI with HDCP would be the only link that you could watch most HD content on.

WRK

[Addict]

I'm curious if Sage will be able to release "their version " around a similar timeframe.

I'd like to "keep it in the family" and buy a version from Sage (that's likely immediately integrated) if they do, in fact, release it as hinted...

[morikaweb]

Originally Posted by Addict

I'm curious if Sage will be able to release "their version " around a similar timeframe.

I'd like to "keep it in the family" and buy a version from Sage (that's likely immediately integrated) if they do, in fact, release it as hinted...

Yes, if Sage is going to release their own version they should make an official announcement very soon so we know we can buy from them directly.

[billyBA]

Is it possible to just connect a external hd and this thing work?

[SouthPaw]

Originally Posted by billyBA

Is it possible to just connect a external hd and this thing work?

no this is just a usb capture device. A computer is required.

[karpodiem]

Question. Will this ignore the encryption flag?

I want to record ESPN-HD with this, however I currently cannot because the channel is encrypted. With this device, will I be able to record through component?

[SouthPaw]

Originally Posted by karpodiem

Question. Will this ignore the encryption flag?

I want to record ESPN-HD with this, however I currently cannot because the channel is encrypted. With this device, will I be able to record through component?

Yes

[Brent]

So wheres the preorder link SHS? False alarm or should we be looking for it shortly?

[azmouse]

you hope and hope for this day (device) to come and finaly.....our prayers have been answered

[Chriscic]

I see the product is finally showing up on the Hauppauge webpage, but no indication of price or how to pre-order.

Also, I notice the IR blaster is built-in. Does that mean it will have to sit square in front of your cable/satellite HD reciever/DVR?

Oh, and shipping May 1... less than a month away : )

[SouthPaw]

Hauppauge HD PVR model 1212

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

[Fluffdaddy]

No way to pre-order yet

[SHS]

pre-order link is not ready