HDPVR questions

[ace007]

I'm looking to buy an HDPVR to use to get the encrypted channels from my Comcast HD cable box in to Sage. I have a few questions hopefully somebody can help with.

1. How well does it appear to work with Comcast HD STBs?

2. Is there any type of power control to turn off the Comcast STB and/or the HDPVR when Sage does not need to use it.

3. Are there any specific hardware models to the HDPVR to avoid?

4. Is there a good guide here on how to setup the HDPVR to work well with Sage?

5. Wanted to add another question.. I'm running sage on Vista x64 so from my research I cannot change the channel on my Comcast Cable box via Firewire. What other options do I have to change the channel or can the HDPVR do that for me?

Thanks

Robert

[ghostlobster]

1. How well does it appear to work with Comcast HD STBs?
It'll work fine with nearly any cable box. It's just grabbing the same analog signal from the component output that your HDTV would use.

2. Is there any type of power control to turn off the Comcast STB and/or the HDPVR when Sage does not need to use it.
No...not that I know of.

3. Are there any specific hardware models to the HDPVR to avoid?
The jury is out on this one. Basically, make sure that you can RMA it just in case you get a lemon.

4. Is there a good guide here on how to setup the HDPVR to work well with Sage?
Actually, the setup is pretty easy. Just install the HD-PVR CD, select your options and it'll work.

5. Wanted to add another question.. I'm running sage on Vista x64 so from my research I cannot change the channel on my Comcast Cable box via Firewire. What other options do I have to change the channel or can the HDPVR do that for me?
The HD-PVR has an integrated IR blaster which works with SageTV. You should be OK, though I'm not certain about the 64bit issue.

[ThePaladinTech]

Originally Posted by ghostlobster

1. How well does it appear to work with Comcast HD STBs?


3. Are there any specific hardware models to the HDPVR to avoid?
The jury is out on this one. Basically, make sure that you can RMA it just in case you get a lemon.

While that is true I think you want to get at least a C2 model? I have a C2 and it seems to be working fine, So I think what Ghostlobster meant was the jury is out on which model is guaranteed to work, but I think it's generally agreed that Rev C and earlier do not work well at all. They are currently at Rev E1 or E2 ...