Split cable to pvr and to stb (then to pvr)

[korben_dallas]

Hi all,

I currently have Comcast cable in TX. I'm using just analog cable right now, and it is working superbly with Sage 2.1. I also have a digital cable set top converter box in a different room. In the past, I have avoided cable boxes like the plague because of the extra remote and hassle in getting a vcr to work. And the cable box seems to add a whole new dimension of complexity to the Sage setup.

So what I was thinking was:

Split the analog cable at the wall
One split goes directly to my Plextor
One split goes to the Comcast set top converter box, then goes to a 2nd capture card

For ease of use, I can just schedule the 2nd tuner manually, since I will have to leave the cable box on the right channel anyways.

Will this work? If it will work without much hassle, I'll start shopping for the 2nd tuner card (need suggestions).

[Opus4]

Is there a reason you don't want to get a USB-UIRT to have SageTV automatically change the channels as needed? (Other than cost of the USB-UIRT?) Or, perhaps use a serial connection if the converter can use that? Once it is set up, I think you'll find that so much better than having to remember to set the converter's channel for whatever single show you want to record.

- Andy

[korben_dallas]

I'm guessing from your response that the setup would work? Yeah, I know it sounds silly considering the purchase of another capture card to say I cannot afford the uirt, but I am going to be a full-time student in 3 weeks (already given notice at work), so I need to save $ wherever possible. I am looking at this TV http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....4&type=product and this dongle http://shop.ati.com/product.asp?sku=2537967
I am not completely sold on the convert box setup w/ a 2nd capture card, but if I can do all of this for around $250-$275, that will get me really set for the 18 months of full time shcool I have left.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

I'm guessing from your response that the setup would work?

Well, there is an option during the tuner setup to have it do no tuning.

I am not completely sold on the convert box setup w/ a 2nd capture card, but if I can do all of this for around $250-$275, that will get me really set for the 18 months of full time shcool I have left.

You can get a tuner for well under $100 and the USB-UIRT is around $50... I'm just not sure how much of your price range is dedicated to another tuner.

Don't forget to consider using a serial cable to change the channels (no USB-UIRT expense) -- I have no idea about doing that, but why not mention what your converter box is & perhaps someone will know whether it can be used that way.

I'm simply pointing out looking into channel-change capability because it will make the expense of an extra tuner so much more useful.

Oh wait -- You want to save money? Don't buy a 2nd tuner; get the USB-UIRT (or serial cable?) instead. Connect as follows:

1) Analog cable goes to tuner as it does now, using the analog channel lineup.

2) Converter's svideo output goes to the same tuner card's svideo input. When setting up this second source in SageTV, use the provider's digital channel lineup & during Channel Setup, remove all channels from the digital lineup that are also on the analog cable (you only have to do that because both connections are going to the same capture card). Or, skip #1 and have the converter provide all channels.

The result: all analog channels are recorded from the coax cable, as they are now w/o worrying about channel changes getting messed up. But, you add the ability to record the digital-only channels. The downside: you still can only record one show at a time. But, that really isn't so bad because if you add a 2nd tuner but you don't let SageTV change the channels, you will be severely limited to how many shows you can record on the 2nd tuner due to having to change the channels manually. Anyway, that's my opinion; maybe someone else will offer other ideas.

- Andy

[kny3twalker]

since you only have one cable box correct?
why not get a pvr 150
it comes with an IR blaster
if you do not have SageTV yet
pcalchemy offers a bundle with the retail pvr 150

you can pick up a retail pvr 150 for under a 100

[Opus4]

OK, I did forget about the 150's IR blaster. Just be aware that if you already have a 250 or 350, there may be problems getting its IR port to be used by the Hauppauge IR software -- it currently sees the 350/250/150 all as the same card in terms of the IR port & it can be difficult to get it to use your preferred card. (Might require moving the cards to different slots to see if it will recognize the one you want.) Hopefully, a future driver update will fix this, but as far as I know, it is still an issue.

- Andy

[korben_dallas]

I'm having a hard time finding info on the IR Blaster. I see 150MCE's for sale all over the net and the 150 + remote bundles, but no IR Blaster. Can you guys provide me with a link?

I'm thinking about bagging this idea altogether and purchasing a silent power supply. I've replaced every fan and the CPU cooler in my case, and they are very quiet, but the PSU is too loud.

[Opus4]

The IR blaster is part of the 150's IR receiver, so it comes with the 150+remote version. (150mce has no remote)

- Andy

[korben_dallas]

So is the IR Blaster a cable/device that trails off the 150, and I would point it at the cable box?

I sure would like to see a pic of one, but am having no luck finding it.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

So is the IR Blaster a cable/device that trails off the 150, and I would point it at the cable box?

Yes.

I sure would like to see a pic of one, but am having no luck finding it.

I know I saw one some place, but I don't remember where. Perhaps try SHS's forum.

- Andy

[korben_dallas]

Ok, so if I understand Andy correctly, I can:

Add the [svideo & audio l/r] of my Pextor as a second source. I feed those with the cable box. I setup the channels with the digital lineup, and just delete everything 99 and below on this new source.

So I can make recordings using this 2nd source (but not at the same time as the 1st source). Then, I'd just have to buy a $50 (?) IR control of some kind.

Sound right? Which IR control would you guys suggest?

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by korben_dallas

Ok, so if I understand Andy correctly, I can:

Add the [svideo & audio l/r] of my Pextor as a second source. I feed those with the cable box. I setup the channels with the digital lineup, and just delete everything 99 and below on this new source.

So I can make recordings using this 2nd source (but not at the same time as the 1st source). Then, I'd just have to buy a $50 (?) IR control of some kind.

Sound right?

I quickly glanced at the above posts again... and that sounds right, I think. But, I'm trying to remember why I suggested that, since you can't record 2 shows at the same time that way -- all it really does is split the analog & digital channel inputs so that the STB is not needed for analog channels; it doesn't add anything extra, since you could simply run everything through the STB in the first place. As was also menioned above, a 150 w/its IR blaster may be better for you, since it comes with a blaster & it won't interfere with the Plextor.

Um... what exactly are you trying to accomplish now?? (Maybe your goals have changed since you started this thread.)

Which IR control would you guys suggest?

The one that seems most versatile is the USB-UIRT, especially if you don't plan to use a 150 or you plan to have a multiple 150/250/350 setup.

- Andy

[korben_dallas]

Right now I only have the Plextor. I didn't realize you could use other inputs on the Plextor as a 2nd source. Since most of my [current] favorites are being nicely recorded via the analog cable input, the digital channels would just be icing on the cake. $50 for the UIRT is better than $100 for another capture card that I'm not sure I really need.

However, I would like to preserve the upgrade path. Let's say I do get the UIRT to control the digital channels. And then after a while, the itchy bug gnaws at me enough to buy a 2nd capture card. What would be the right card to get then? A 150 MCE? My streamzap remote works fine in Sage, so I don't need another remote. Does anyone bundle a capture card with SageTV client?

[kny3twalker]

you may be able to contact pcalchemy to see if they will bundle a client with a tuner card
but the problem is although you can set up a second source to the pvr card
you can still only record/view LIVETV from one source at a time
and in the future unless you plan on getting another cable box for the second tuenr the usn uirt would be a waste
I still think you would be better off recording for the plextor from just analogue cable and using digital cable with the pvr 150 retail with blaster

unless you plan to get another box in the future when you buy another tuner card

then the USB UIRT would be the best idea

but why bundle a client with a second tuner card
you need the server to use teh USB UIRT so both cards will need to be in the server

you could just spend a little more and get a pvr 150 MCE and the USB UIRT
if having the plextor record from digital cable is more important than having the pvr 150 MCE/ pvr 150 retail