I am so confused.

[nasdaq]

Ok i have been many threads and have seen many abriviations from people trying to explain how to very complex things.
What i would like from this program is to record tv shows movies etc straight from my Comcast HD box.

Right now i have a Laptop, HDTV and i do have the VGA cables that shows the PC screen on the TV. Do i need some kind of device so my pc can pick up the channels first and then go to the TV? i want to keep things simple and only have to use what needed. i dont want to lose the ability to watch things in HD and dont necessarily need everything to go through the PC all the time because sometimes i need to take the PC with me.

So in essence i need a way to be able to quickly plug in the Laptop near the TV to record things and then quickly disconnect it if i need to take the laptop with me. I dont want the TV to depend on the PC to operate, just use it when needed to record.

I know all this might sound confusing and i am prob just as confused but i would appreciate any help i can get.

I also have an Xbox but i dont need to transmit things to other TVS cause its all in 1 room. but if it makes the setup easier then i can utilize it too.

[steven017]

It looks like you are missing at least one critical thing, a TV capture device. Since you're using a notebook, you should be looking at an eternal device like an HDHomeRun.

Steven

[paulbeers]

If you want to record from your comcast HD box, then you need an HDPVR. Do not get the HDHomerun as it will not record from a cable box. The HDPVR is an external USB device so it can be hooked it very quickly when you want to record to your laptop.

[pjpjpjpj]

You will also need an IR blaster that can change the channel on the Comcast box. Also, be aware that, having one Comcast HD box, you will only be able to watch what you are recording or record what you are watching. You would need a second tuner (and potentially another of each other gadget) if you want to record one thing while watching another.

[mickp]

Originally Posted by pjpjpjpj

You will also need an IR blaster that can change the channel on the Comcast box. Also, be aware that, having one Comcast HD box, you will only be able to watch what you are recording or record what you are watching. You would need a second tuner (and potentially another of each other gadget) if you want to record one thing while watching another.

Just to clarify... You can also watch something that's already been recorded while you record something else.

Mick.