How Do I Get HD signal to SageTV

[SDeGonge]

Been searching the forums but have been getting more confused with each thread I read.

I'll be switching over to Cablevision soon and moving up to HD. Cablevision will supply me with 2 SA4250HD boxes which have the following outputs...

http://sdegonge.com/Documents/sa4250hd.jpg

My question is...How do I get HD video and digital audio for 2 SA4250HD boxes into my server?

Can I use the HVR-2250? Will I lose quality if I do this?
What about the HD-PVR? This looks like it wil do the job but it looks like I would need 2 of 'em and they're expensive!
Any other options out there?

[Fuzzy]

the HVR-2250 won't connect to the STB (well, not in HD... S-Video would work). You're looking for the HD-PVR to use those boxes. Also, you will PROBABLY be able to control the Cable Boxes via Firewire, if not, a USB-UIRT would be the second best option.

There is a slight chance you can get the channels you want via Clear QAM, in which case you could use an HVR-2250, or a HDHomeRun to do so. SiliconDust's website would be a good place to check what is clear in your area.

In the end though, the HD-PVR is your best universal option. If you decide to move to a different service instead of Cablevisino (Dish or DirecTV) you can still use it with their boxes as well.

[JetreL]

It looks like you have (2) HD-PVRs in your future. AFAIK this is the cheapest and easiest option to get HD content to your Sage box.

[korben_dallas]

2 HD PVR's, 1 USB-UIRT with 2 IR emitters

[wayner]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

2 HD PVR's, 1 USB-UIRT with 2 IR emitters

Or 2 HD-PVRs and a firewire port. Although the USB-UIRT may come in handy if you are using the PC for video playback as well since you can use it in conjunction with a remote control.

[SDeGonge]

Originally Posted by JetreL

It looks like you have (2) HD-PVRs in your future. AFAIK this is the cheapest and easiest option to get HD content to your Sage box.

DOH! Was hoping there was another way. The HD-PVR is expensive.

I wonder if I really need HD (actually I'm not exactly sure what the definition of HD really is). What I want to do is capture at 720p, wide format (16:9) since this is the max that my TV can handle. Getting 5.1 audio would be nice but not necessary.

If I ran S-Video from my Cable box to a HVR-2250 would I get 720p / 16:9?

Did a quick search and saw the HAVA Platinum. Is this a feasible option?

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by SDeGonge

If I ran S-Video from my Cable box to a HVR-2250 would I get 720p / 16:9?

No. S-Video is 480i.

[SprDtyF350]

It depends on what you want to watch, and how many QAM channels you can get. I do not use any cable boxes. I have a HD Homerun, and an Avermedia HD Duet in my Sage server for a total of 4 digital tuners. I get about 80 or so unencrypted QAM channels where I live. I have HD for ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX, and the CW which is all I really need. And I get the rest of them in SD with the digital tuners.

So.. it just depends about how much you can get unencrypted, and whether you need HBO, and other stuff like that. I don't so my no box setup works fine for us.