Hauppauge alternative?

[Vitalogy]

Hi,

Since I use SageTV (that must be 10+ years ago since I joined this forum in 2007) I always used Hauppauge products. Anyway I think it was the only option to record TV via cable set top box. I went through a PVR 350, HD PVR and an HD PVR 2.

Currently I have a problem with my HTPC. There is no sound recorded. I think the problem is the HD PVR 2. I sent an email to Hauppauge, I hope they will help me.


Meanwhile I was looking at the alternatives. I saw the most recent HD PVR 60. But I'm wondering if others companies offer alternative products?

I found AVerMedia ( http://www.avermedia.com/event/product_select/ ). Could I use this in my HTPC? If yes, is it a good choice? I found a post here saying that AVerMadia is not compatible with SageTV... but that was years before SageTV v9. Maybe that changed?

Do you know any other compatible products?

Oh I forgot to say, I use the Hauppauge remote control to control my HTPC. If I choose an alternative product what will I have to use to control my HTPC remotely?

[KryptoNyte]

Who provides your cable service, or is it satellite TV?

Do you require your audio to be dolby digital 5.1 channel, or would stereo be okay?

[JustFred]

Originally Posted by Vitalogy

I found a post here saying that AVerMadia is not compatible with SageTV... but that was years before SageTV v9. Maybe that changed?

Avermedia isn't a good choice. Nothing has been added in Sage 9 to improve the situation.

[Vitalogy]

Stereo is OK. I use the TV's speakers (shame on me!)

My provider is Videotron (Canada).
The set up box is the Cisco Explorer 8642HD.

[Telecore]

Based on your posting, you have to capture video/audio from a set top box, right? If that is the case, I would recommend using the BM-1000 (or similar) capture device:

https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63177

and possibly use a USB-UIRT to change channels.

I used the HD-PVR for years and it worked reliably, but the BM-1000 would allow for less clutter/equipment and it is a digital-digital encoder with perhaps a better picture. Since I have no DRM at the moment, I am just using cablecards with a Ceton PCIe6 tuner, but if I had to go back to set top boxes, I would use this approach.

[Vitalogy]

Originally Posted by Telecore

Based on your posting, you have to capture video/audio from a set top box, right? If that is the case, I would recommend using the BM-1000 (or similar) capture device:

https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=63177

and possibly use a USB-UIRT to change channels.

I used the HD-PVR for years and it worked reliably, but the BM-1000 would allow for less clutter/equipment and it is a digital-digital encoder with perhaps a better picture. Since I have no DRM at the moment, I am just using cablecards with a Ceton PCIe6 tuner, but if I had to go back to set top boxes, I would use this approach.

Thank you. I already use a USB-UIRT. I will read about this device later. This week I have more free time so I will try to fix my HTPC first then look for alternative if nothing work.

I'm surprised, I sent an email to Hauppauge 10 days ago but they never replied. If I remember correctly they had a better customer service before...

[Vitalogy]

Well, I fixed the problem with my HD PVR 2. I uninstalled the Windows 10 April update.

Note: my problem is not the same as described in that thread: https://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65539


However I will keep your alternative suggestions in mind when I will plan to upgrade my HTPC. Thanks again!

[KryptoNyte]

Originally Posted by Vitalogy

Thank you. I already use a USB-UIRT. I will read about this device later. This week I have more free time so I will try to fix my HTPC first then look for alternative if nothing work.

I'm surprised, I sent an email to Hauppauge 10 days ago but they never replied. If I remember correctly they had a better customer service before...

If you sent them a message through their web form, be sure to also send them an email as the form didn't work for me a few months ago, and I was in the same position, with no feedback.

[wbarber69]

Ive been using original HDPVRs for 12 years now. no issues really. Make sure you chose the appropriate sound option when setting up the source. your STB provider might have changes the audio output settings. some of them force you to use either hdmi or optical for 5.1. on mine i was able to find some digital-optical converters for my stb back when monoprice was still making them. Ive been able to get 5.1 surround out of this configuration for some time. I have to choose the Component+SPDIF configuration when setting up my boxes. if you only have rca connections i would suggest the Component only setting.