Can I connect SageTV to Verizon's Fios standard non-HDTV box?

[Whalewang]

Can I somewhat easily setup SageTV to record non-HDTV (we have a standard box from Verizon)? I've got all the hardware needed I think, but I'm not sure how to connect all this up with the Verizon box (or if it is even possible).

The standard box from Verizon is a Motorola QIP2500-3. It has a coax input and a coax "to TV/VCR" output. It also has s-video, composite, serial, and IR connections.

The computer that I'd hook the box up to has the following specs:
-AMD 3000+ processor
-1.0GB RAM
-Geforce FX 5200 (used to hook s-video to analog's tv s-video connection)
-(2) HAUPPAUGE WINTV-PVR-150 tuner cards w/remote

The reason for non-HDTV is because the tv is analog.
tia.

[Whalewang]

From what I've read is it won't be easy but at least it's doable.

What I'm hung up on the most is is how to control the STB with SageTV, specifically the physical connection between the two?

[bcjenkins]

You need an IR blaster. You can use 1 PVR 150 for IR blasting. Since you have 2 units, I would recommend looking at the MCE remote blaster or the USB-UIRT.

B

[Whalewang]

Originally Posted by bcjenkins

You need an IR blaster. You can use 1 PVR 150 for IR blasting. Since you have 2 units, I would recommend looking at the MCE remote blaster or the USB-UIRT.

B

Does this mean to connect a cable from the IR socket in one of the PVR-150 tuner cards to the USB or IR socket in the STB?
The PVR-150 tuner card then controls the STB?

[bcjenkins]

IR emitter plug in to 150 then ir control the STB.

B

[Whalewang]

So no hard-wired physical connection for that first box.

It's my assumption that only one PVR-150 tuner card can tune/control one STB. If that is true then I'll need an additional STB so that I can record two channels at once?

[bcjenkins]

Sorry, you lost me there. Please look at my first post. You can't use the IR blaster on both 150 cards at the same time. If you will be running two units you need to find a different solution.

B

[VCRUser]

I have a 1600, and am currently using the cable-connection for analog Comcast. Since they're phasing that out, I'm thinking of switching to FIOS, and using the IR blaster that came with the 1600 to talk to one of the STBs for the cable-input, and maybe the shift the ATSC/QAM input to QAM, if indeed FIOS puts that out, otherwise leave it on antenna. But I'm not finding much in the way of documentation. I found this in the Sage Docs:

"Notes: Due to Hauppauge driver limitations, multiple blasters can not be used. In addition, it may not be possible to use the blaster if there are multiple encoders and only one has a blaster. SageTV does not use the MCE IR blaster portion of the Hauppauge MCE kits, which come with the MCE remote + blaster."

Since I do have multiple encoders & just one with a blaster, how should I interpret the above?

[bcjenkins]

You can use QAM on FiOS. I still use my OTA though as QAM didn't buy me anything extra that I was interested in.

I have no experience with 1600s in Windows and I use a separate device in Linux for IR blasting.

B

[VCRUser]

Ok, for one of the 1600's tuners, I could use either Fios QAM or ATSC from my antenna (depending on which provided more or better channels), but how can I use the 1600's NTSC tuner to talk to a FIOS box to get the rest of the cable channels? (Right now, it's getting them from Comcast's analog cable, which, since it works so well, they're gradually taking away).

[vikingisson]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

Ok, for one of the 1600's tuners, I could use either Fios QAM or ATSC from my antenna (depending on which provided more or better channels), but how can I use the 1600's NTSC tuner to talk to a FIOS box to get the rest of the cable channels? (Right now, it's getting them from Comcast's analog cable, which, since it works so well, they're gradually taking away).

I would try really hard to keep the analog for as long at it is active on the system. If you are not interested in paying for HD from them then the 1600 with old school cable is your best solution until you want to spend money for an HDPVR. Have you checked what you can get on QAM? Can you get a 30 day trial and stay analog if you choose?

I have analog cable and ATSC OTA on the 1600, plus s-video from the STB (SD) which you could do initially to test it out for 30 days.

[bcjenkins]

Originally Posted by VCRUser

Ok, for one of the 1600's tuners, I could use either Fios QAM or ATSC from my antenna (depending on which provided more or better channels), but how can I use the 1600's NTSC tuner to talk to a FIOS box to get the rest of the cable channels? (Right now, it's getting them from Comcast's analog cable, which, since it works so well, they're gradually taking away).

Connect the STB up to the SVideo in on the 1600. I am using the DCT700 which is the no frills STB or you can use the 2400 as well. You will get more channels on QAM, but it may not be worth the remapping hassle as you won't get anything but locals and music channels.

B