Switching Service Provider - What to consider?

[graywolf]

Currently with DirecTV (non-HD). Might be considering switching to DISH or TWC Cable (cost considerations).

Just trying to think what all would be involved with SageTV setup.

DISH I think would be simply changing video source/lineup, reconfigure usb-uirt
for non-HD channels, would need to get HD-PVR or Collosous for HD.

TWC - If have box, change source/lineup, reconfigure usb-uirt
for non-HD channels, would need to get HD-PVR or Collosous for HD.

If no box - ????

Also - if I recall, cable has copy flags...how could I determine what TWC copy flags are prior to getting them?

Anything else I might not even be considering?

Of course, once I'm fully aware what would be involved to reconfigure SageTV and decide which way to go, I'll give DirecTV customer retention department a chance to keep me as a long time customer. Don't want to go there though until I'm ready to move/switch if needed.

[KryptoNyte]

I believe that for all regions, the only Time Warner channels that are "copy-freely" are your local affiliate channels. You could use a HDHRPrime with cablecard for the local channels, or possibly a QAM tuner if Time Warner is still broadcasting all their local affiliates in the clear (I prefer the cablecard regardless, it's worth $2.50 a month to not have to worry about channel mapping, and remapping when Time Warner screws with it).

You would then need one set-top-box and an HDPVR (or colossus) to record all non-local channels, with the USBUIRT channel changes.

[wayner]

As long as you are using a HD-PVR or Collosus then you don't need to worry about the copy flags as they don't apply to analog outputs. They are only an issue if you use a CableCARD tuner.