New build from scratch- need 2 stable HDPVRs (or similar) and reencoding

[btrcp2000]

Currently running a qud core Win7 setup from 3-4 years ago. Works pretty well, but I am considering an upgrade for two reasons. I am willing to throw money at this to minimize time fiddling with it, stability is very important. VERY open to just buying a dell/gateway/whatever box if specs are right.

1. Switch back to Time Warner

(cheaper when bundled, and more channels), This will require reinstating my 1212 HDPVR, which worked pretty well except for needing to be cycled every couple weeks which was a PITA. I also own a colossus, which never left the box after I read the early problems. Not against buying new equipt, but it cannot be cable card and must get me premium channel.

Questions:
Any special h/w suggestions to ensure happy HDPVR/colossus/etc?

2. Need to start reencoding to iPod/Android acceptable formats

Recently purchased a 1tb Western Digital battery powered wifi drive, would like to be able to fill it with tv shows the kids can access in the car. Very hit or miss with current files because the ipods/androids need their specific formats. Ideally, sage could record from whatever source, then convert the filed to something that looks good on a large screen but also can be dragged/dropped onto this drive.

Question:
H/W suggestions to enable all recordings to be converted in the background without bogging the server down? What format am I looking for here to satisfy all devices, and is handbrake still the goto?

tia

[trk2]

May I ask why cable card is not an option? I would think cable card for copy free channels + HDPVR or Colossus for premium would be a great setup.

See this thread for using the HDMI capture ports on the Colossus or HDPVR 2. I use this with my Colossus and the setup just works. I would not go back to component capture.

[MattHelm]

If I remember correctly, a NEC USB card helps the HDPRV stability. Saying that, it's working fine for me using the AMD A85X USB ports.

I have the colossus HDMI currently hooked to a new HD DTA from comcast. Only 1 channel (No time yet to figure out the second output on the USB-UIRT), but it worked fine recording SyFy Friday night.

[sic0048]

I would definitely look into the cable card option. I would use it and a cable card tuner (such as the HDHR Prime) for as many channels as possible. That solution will be 100% more stable than the HD-PVR solution (which can and will crap out at random times requiring a SageTV service recycle along with a power reset on the HD-PVR).

If there are some premium channels that you cannot get through the cable card option, then use the HD-PVR and or Colossus for those channels. But it would be worth the $5-10 per month to get the cable card to not reply on the HD-PVR for all of my recording needs. Plus, this way you can have multiple concurrent shows recording at once. With the HD-PVR only option you can only record one show at a time.

I haven't looked into it recently, but are there still issues with the Colossus cards?

[KryptoNyte]

If it's Time Warner, cable card is not an option as they only broadcast the locals in copy freely.

I am actually considering switching up my HDPVR1212 with the Colossus to upgrade from component HD to HDMI recording, as well as the 50% increase in recording bitrate over the HDPVR's.

[btrcp2000]

Yep, Time warner. I still remember the cold January day when they flipped the switch on the flag, and my awesome firewire tuners stopped working within a few weeks of setting them up.

Sounds like I need to revisit the colossus.

Any thoughts on my current hardware (see updated sig) for reencoding?

[sic0048]

Damn, that sucks about the flag. Kills the best solution.