HD-PVR USB or Hauppauge Colossus HD-PVR

[DRB]

I already have [1] USB HD-PVR and am looking to add a second HD tuner. What would you get; another HD-PVR USB or Hauppauge Colossus HD-PVR card. I use the directv tunnung dll so chanel changing is not a problem. Do the two play well with one another. I think the reason I like the Colossus is just because it is cheaper and the HDMI input.

Thanks
DRB

[will]

Originally Posted by DRB

I think the reason I like the Colossus is just because it is cheaper and the HDMI input.

I don't have a Colossus but I wouldn't base my purchase on the HDMI input. The HDMI input will become useless (without an additional converter) if your cable box encrypts or starts to encrypt the HDMI signal.

I would check first if DirectTV encrypts their HDMI signals.

[darcilicious]

I'm confused -- if the HDMI output of a set-top box is encrypted, how will today's TVs decode / deal with the encrypted signal?

[kcormier]

Tough to give a clear/concrete response since there seems to be a lot of hit and miss if you read the big Colossus thread in this forum.

If you look here, you can see that I am running an HD-PVR and Colossus side-by-side without any issues.

Having said that, I purposely am not using optical audio since its use seems to litter the "I'm having problems with my HD-PVR / Colossus" articles.

I am also restarting my SageTV server daily/automatically via SJQ - as others are doing here - to squelch any Colossus demons that might be lurking.

Overall, am happy with Colossus - it was a risk going with it (and perhaps continues to be) but I believe the video/audio is better and it's nice to have it internal as opposed to external power/space.

We here in Canada have no potential of using HDMI (encryption and very limited competition) and have to continue exploiting the analog hole

[will]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

I'm confused -- if the HDMI output of a set-top box is encrypted, how will today's TVs decode / deal with the encrypted signal?

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. This is a standard encryption protocol implemented in HDMI. I assume to put that HDMI label on your TV box you have to support the encryption standards.

The system is meant to stop HDCP-encrypted content from being played on devices that do not support HDCP or which have been modified to copy HDCP content. Before sending data, a transmitting device checks that the receiver is authorized to receive it. If so, the transmitter encrypts the data to prevent eavesdropping as it flows to the receiver.

Manufacturers who want to make a device that supports HDCP must obtain a license from Intel subsidiary Digital Content Protection LLC, pay an annual fee, and submit to various conditions. For example, devices cannot be designed to copy content; devices must "frustrate attempts to defeat the content protection requirements"; high-definition digital video sources must not transmit protected content to non-HDCP receivers; and DVD-Audio content can only be played at CD-audio quality by non-HDCP digital audio outputs (analog audio outputs have no quality limits). HDCP does not allow copying permitted by fair use laws.

I haven't read of any cable boxes using this yet however I don't follow it very much. I believe the PS3 encrypts its HDMI signal to the TV.

[sleonard]

Originally Posted by darcilicious

I'm confused -- if the HDMI output of a set-top box is encrypted, how will today's TVs decode / deal with the encrypted signal?

All of today's TV's are able to work with encrypted HDMI. In fact, unless you have one of a small number of DirecTV boxes you HDMI signal is already encrypted.

S

[will]

Originally Posted by kcormier

Having said that, I purposely am not using optical audio since its use seems to litter the "I'm having problems with my HD-PVR / Colossus" articles.

I use my HD-PVRs with optical audio and 5.1 and have never had any issues (knock on wood). I recall reading about all the issues people had with HD-PVRs and optical but perhaps it was corrected in a driver update.

I have been using optical audio for almost two years and recently switched over to using 5.1 (for the first 22 months I used stereo because I never realized my cable boxes were configured to output only in stereo ).

[korben_dallas]

My 4250HDC from Time Warner is completely locked down on hdmi.

Just purchased my 2nd HD PVR, to replace my buggy Colossus.

[darcilicious]

Originally Posted by will

High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection. This is a standard encryption protocol implemented in HDMI. I assume to put that HDMI label on your TV box you have to support the encryption standards.

Right. Please pardon the brain fart!

[panteragstk]

Directv doesn't use hdcp on anything but HBO zone, and that isn't on every show. I've been very happy with my colossus since I got the bugs worked out. Haven't had a bad recording in a very long time. I'll be getting a second one very soon.

[SWKerr]

Originally Posted by panteragstk

Directv doesn't use hdcp on anything but HBO zone, and that isn't on every show. I've been very happy with my colossus since I got the bugs worked out. Haven't had a bad recording in a very long time. I'll be getting a second one very soon.

Quiet... Lets not give them working examples on how to block it.

[sflamm]

All cable boxes use HDCP/HDMI... hard to imagine that Satellite is not...

[panteragstk]

Originally Posted by SWKerr

Quiet... Lets not give them working examples on how to block it.

Good point.

Originally Posted by sflamm

All cable boxes use HDCP/HDMI... hard to imagine that Satellite is not...

Just because they use it doesn't mean it's enabled. I know it isn't.

[sflamm]

Dont have satellite - so that is very interesting... is it just your location and/or provider or all?

Cable boxes have HDCP enabled.

[Skirge01]

Not sure where panteragstk is located, but I can confirm that I also have the same situation he does (vague enough?).

[BobPhoenix]

Me too. Iowa.

[DRB]

Me three, NY.

DRB