HDPVR cable setup?

[BruenerXII]

Just got my hdpvr and am confused by the quick setup guide.. it has no mention of what or how or if i should use the component vid out or the optical audio out. So let me get this right, im going to be using the;

component out stb --> component in HDPVR
optical audio out stb --> optical in HDPVR

By doing this i have to use the outputs from my video/sound cards --> tv/receiver to view live tv right? OR do I?

component out stb --> component in HDPVR
optical out stb --> optical in HDPVR
+
component out HDPVR --> component in TV
optical out HDPVR --> optical in receiver

Then im viewing (&hearing) tv the way it was setup before i got the hdpvr (everything is just passed through basically) but the hdpvr is recording what im watching? But then.. when watching recordings, how is it everything output? from the hdpvr, or from my vid/sound cards on the computer? arrgh.. confusing...

BTW, Im using HDMI an optical cables to output my computer to my tv/stereo.

[CyRex]

AFAIK, the component and optical outs on the HDPVR just pass through the signals from the corresponding inputs. So yes, if you hook up the outputs of your STB to the inputs of the HDPVR, and the outputs of the HDPVR to your TV, then you can just watch live TV as you did before. However, this is not the typical setup.

Minimally, you just need to connect the outputs of your STB to the inputs of the HDPVR. You also need to have some method to control the channel-changing on your STB (IR blaster, serial, firewire, etc). Once SageTV is configured, it will handle all of the channel changing and recording.

As for playback, the HDPVR cannot be used as a playback device. The HDPVR is strictly a video capture device. For playback, you will need your video / sound cards, or an extender.

-Dan

[Djc208]

Originally Posted by CyRex

AFAIK, the component and optical outs on the HDPVR just pass through the signals from the corresponding inputs. So yes, if you hook up the outputs of your STB to the inputs of the HDPVR, and the outputs of the HDPVR to your TV, then you can just watch live TV as you did before. However, this is not the typical setup.

Minimally, you just need to connect the outputs of your STB to the inputs of the HDPVR. You also need to have some method to control the channel-changing on your STB (IR blaster, serial, firewire, etc). Once SageTV is configured, it will handle all of the channel changing and recording.

As for playback, the HDPVR cannot be used as a playback device. The HDPVR is strictly a video capture device. For playback, you will need your video / sound cards, or an extender.

-Dan

And just to further clarify, if you are passing through the HD PVR you and the HD PVR see the same signal. So it can only record what you're watching (or you can only watch what the HD PVR is recording).

You're better off trying to watch live TV through the computer (record through HD PVR and watch through HDMI to TV). That way if you've scheduled a recording while you're watching something Sage will warn you

[BruenerXII]

Ok thanks guys. Pass through.. a for the wife feature then eh?