Is it possible?

[keggers]

Hello all,
I'm new to the whole pvr idea and am wondering one thing.

Is it possible for me to run this setup?
I want to use my computer as both full time pvr and computer, our computer usage is pretty minor, net and whatever so I'm hoping resources will be okay.
I have a motorola cable box so I'm thinking serial cable to control box, run the cable from the box to the computer (not sure what kind of hardware I need as I don't need a tuner just a hardware encoder I guess? any suggestions?) Than one output on my video card to the monitor and the other output to my tv. Use the keyboard mouse on the computer side and maybe the firefly remote to control sage.
Is this possible? Sorry I know I'm a real newbie when it comes to this stuff but I figure better to ask now than ask when I'm ready to throw it out the window cause it's not working. hehe
Any suggestions are really appreciated,.

thanks in advance
Craig

[salsbst]

I have a motorola cable box so I'm thinking serial cable to control box

Hopefully your cable company has enabled or will enable serial control of your box.... many won't... if not, then a USB-UIRT is a great way to change channels via infrared signals to your cable box.

run the cable from the box to the computer (not sure what kind of hardware I need as I don't need a tuner just a hardware encoder I guess? any suggestions?)

Best bet is an s-video cable if your cable box has that output, otherwise composite (RCA)... last choice would be coax RF. For capture hardware, use a PVR-250 if you can, they're the most reliable and well-tested right now.

Than one output on my video card to the monitor and the other output to my tv. Use the keyboard mouse on the computer side and maybe the firefly remote to control sage.

Yeah, that would work... the Firefly is nothing special IMHO. The USB-UIRT let's you use the nicest remote that you have/can find/can buy. Go with an nVidia video card if you want to use the computer on the monitor while Sage drives the TV.

[gadgetkid]

salsbst,

You recommended an nVidia. Won't an ATI card do that?

Originally Posted by salsbst

Go with an nVidia video card if you want to use the computer on the monitor while Sage drives the TV.

[stanger89]

I'd avoid an ATI card unless you need component output. And if that's the case I'd consider a Personal Cinema 5700 or a Geforce 6600.

[salsbst]

I had a lot of trouble with getting Radeon to handle TV-out to the TV while keeping the Windows desktop on the monitor -- never got it to work the way I wanted. I had a lot less trouble once I switched to an nVidia 5200.

[krutaw]

Originally Posted by keggers

Hello all,
I'm new to the whole pvr idea and am wondering one thing.

Be sure to avoid the PVR-350 to begin with, it's a nightmare for the first few months...

Wow, did that actually just come out of my keyboard? lol