HD-PVR's

[chobe]

Cable company requires a cable box at each TV - is this because box has the ability to output only one channel? If that's the case, what purpose does the HD-PVR serve? Does it bypass this limitation meaning I only need one cable box and one HD-PRV to distribute different channels to multiple TV's simultaneously?

[QueOnda]

All HDPVR does is captures component video up to 1080i no matter what the source.

What company do you have that requires a box at each Tv? For you to get all the channels, maybe.

[GKusnick]

The HD-PVR can capture only one channel at a time. You still need your set-top box to tune the desired channel. If you want to capture more than one cable channel simultaneously, you'll need more than one STB and an HD-PVR for each STB.

That said, you may find that you don't need an STB/HD-PVR for every TV. Once you've set up your favorite shows to record built up a backlog of recorded episodes, you probably won't need to support live TV on every screen simultaneously. Many cable shows repeat several times during the week so you can often record all your favorites with just one STB without conflicts. Most conflicts arise from local broadcast channels, but you can probably capture those directly using a QAM tuner without going through the STB.

[chobe]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

The HD-PVR can capture only one channel at a time. You still need your set-top box to tune the desired channel. If you want to capture more than one cable channel simultaneously, you'll need more than one STB and an HD-PVR for each STB.

That said, you may find that you don't need an STB/HD-PVR for every TV. Once you've set up your favorite shows to record built up a backlog of recorded episodes, you probably won't need to support live TV on every screen simultaneously. Many cable shows repeat several times during the week so you can often record all your favorites with just one STB without conflicts. Most conflicts arise from local broadcast channels, but you can probably capture those directly using a QAM tuner without going through the STB.

Great Idea! Didn't even think of that one....In answer to QueOnda's post, am using COX cable. They refuse to provide any support outside of "1 tv per box".

Thanks for the info

[Taddeusz]

Originally Posted by chobe

Great Idea! Didn't even think of that one....In answer to QueOnda's post, am using COX cable. They refuse to provide any support outside of "1 tv per box".

Thanks for the info

Sounds like a line. They're probably trying to push you to rent a digital cable box for each TV. I have Cox Cable here in OKC and I have two cable boxes. One hooked directly to my TV so that it's easy to watch live TV and then one hooked to my HD-PVR which then is connected through SageTV. With that and my HDHR they provide enough tuning capability for my current needs.

[CollinR]

Have Cox too same for my parents, no such issues.

You get however many boxes you want end of story.