remote recording of analog cable?

[drewg]

Hi,

I have an existing Linux server with a number of OTA ATSC capture cards, and an HD100 for the TV. We recently got analog cable. Due to poor planning, the analog cable does not go to the server room. However, I do have a PC (Win7 x64, 6GB RAM) in a room with an active cable jack. Again, due to poor planning, I don't have Cat5 to the bedroom where this PC is, just a wireless (G) connection to the server.

So, my question is:

1) If I install an analog tuner card into the Win7 PC, can I somehow record analog cable in a way that is controlled by my existing SageTV server? Is this what the "SageTV Recorder" is? Will it work over a wireless G network? I can measure about 15Mb/s using iperf between the Win7 PC and the server. But it is wireless..

2) What's the best option for an analog tuner these days? I have open PCI and PCIe slots in the Win7 box. I was thinking about a refurb PVR 150, until I read their drivers don't work with more than 4GB of RAM. Most of the things in the NewEgg analog tuner section are from brands I've never heard of, have terrible reviews, and don't even seem to offer h/w MPEG encoding.

Thanks,

Drew

[blade]

Originally Posted by drewg

Is this what the "SageTV Recorder" is?

That is an old product. What you're asking about is setting up a second copy of Sage to act as a network encoder. I don't have any experience with that, but I'm sure the manual covers it and there are probably some posts here in the forums.

Just speculating, but due to the unreliability and limited bandwidth of wireless you'd probably want to include some storage in the server acting as the network encoder and have all of the analog recordings stored on it. That's if it's even feasible to run a network encoder over wireless. Personally I'd look into getting cable to your existing server somehow.

Edit: Something else to consider is that analog is being phased out. Of course you may have analog channels for years to come or they may be phased out in a couple of months. You might want to plan ahead and think about what you'd do if you lost your analog channels. Would you still be able to use the network encoder or would you need to get the signal to your server? For example I wouldn't have an issue with sticking an analog tuner or two in my desktop if it was the best option, but there is no way I'd want a stb connected to my desktop. If you go the network encoder route you'll need a second server license. The cost of it might outweigh the cost and hassle of running a coax to your current server.

[Clift]

Sounds like you could just install the SageTV client on that PC and see about whether your connection is good enough to support analog streaming. You could also try MoCA or a Powerline Ethernet adapter. Either of those would allow you to use your PC with SageTV client or an HD200.

[drewg]

Originally Posted by blade

That is an old product. What you're asking about is setting up a second copy of Sage to act as a network encoder.
<...>
Something else to consider is that analog is being phased out. Of course you may have analog channels for years to come or they may be phased out in a couple of months.

I don't plan to have cable for more than 3-6 months (was added for an older relative staying with us temporarily who cannot live w/o espn), so this whole thing is temporary, otherwise I'd just run a coax to the server room and add an analog card to the linux box.

Since it is only temporary, I set myself a budget of roughly $100 to avoid the hassle of playon for the next 6 months or so. If SageTV Recorder will still work as a network encoder, then that's the only option, as a full sagetv server license breaks the budget. If it won't work, then I'll just stop now..

Drew

[Clift]

Originally Posted by drewg

I don't plan to have cable for more than 3-6 months (was added for an older relative staying with us temporarily who cannot live w/o espn), so this whole thing is temporary, otherwise I'd just run a coax to the server room and add an analog card to the linux box.

Since it is only temporary, I set myself a budget of roughly $100 to avoid the hassle of playon for the next 6 months or so. If SageTV Recorder will still work as a network encoder, then that's the only option, as a full sagetv server license breaks the budget. If it won't work, then I'll just stop now..

Drew

Okay i re-read your post. I think SgraphRecorder may work for you. Look at the Firewire thread and I think there's a link to the download site.

[drewg]

Originally Posted by Clift

Okay i re-read your post. I think SgraphRecorder may work for you. Look at the Firewire thread and I think there's a link to the download site.

Thanks! I'd never have found that thing.. Now to get a card and try it out.

Drew