Apple TV vs. Sage

[sic0048]

Will Sage TV (or any capture cards) support reading non-over the air HD content? I think as of about a year ago capture cards could only read unencrypted signals. (perhaps I'm mixing over-the-air with encrypted incorrectly here).

Johnny

Yes you can now record encrypted HD signals via the Hauppauge HD-PVR device. You connect it to your STB (cable or satellite) via component video and the HD-PVR will record the HD signal. It also passes through the component signal in case you wanted to connect it to you TV.

While this type of recording does introduce a digital (STB) to analog (component cables) to digital (recordings by HD-PVR are digital) conversion process, the results are still excellent. It is also one of the only component capture devices out there currently (at least in the consumer market).

So you can hook the HD-PVR up to any device that has component outputs (cable STB, any satellite providers STB, a Blueray DVD player, etc) and record the stream in HD quality up to 1080i.

This is new this year, and SageTV is one of the only software packages that officially supports the HD-PVR. In fact, the Hauppauge site only lists two third party software companies supporting the HD-PVR. SageTV and the default software that ships with the unit. That's it.

I have a HD-PVR and it works well. I actually have more problems with my satellite losing signals and therefore missing recordings than I have with the HD-PVR.

I also use a Sage HD extender to play these HD-PVR recordings. They are h.264 format and require a pretty robust machine to play them back. Most people who have problems with the set up are trying to play these files on a local computer. This is so cutting edge that many systems just cannot handle it IMHO. Between sheer CPU processing power and the correct set of codex, some are having problems. The Sage HD extender handles these files natively and few people have problems with that set up.

EDIT - Changed max recording resolution to 1080i (thanks Dave for pointing out my error).

 

[jaysonc]

Sic is correct, you can use the HD-PVR product to take advantage of the "analog hole" in the HD encryption system.

My comments were concerning the recording of the original digital HD signal. Using the component cables into an HD-PVR involves a digital to analog and back to digital conversion, but only the most discriminating eyes will be able to tell. I can't.

I have seriously considered moving away from cable to DirectTV and upgrading my (SD) PVR-250 cards to HD-PVRs once Mythtv support is more mature.

--
jayson

 

[Waynedb]

Will Sage TV (or any capture cards) support reading non-over the air HD content? I think as of about a year ago capture cards could only read unencrypted signals. (perhaps I'm mixing over-the-air with encrypted incorrectly here).

Johnny

SageTV also works with R5000 HD modded satellite receivers from Disk Network, 4DTV (C-band) , Starchoice (Canadian) and Bell Express Vu (Canadian) it also works with some cable boxes. Check Nextcom wireless for details. http://www.nextcomwireless.com/R5000/home.htm

 

[DaveW42]

A quick clarification: The HD-PVR can output up to 1080i, not 1080p. I don't own the unit yet, but from what I have read the video quality looks to be extremely good, regardless of the 1080i/1080p distinction.

Here is a link to the product listing on the manufacturer's site:

Hauppauge HD-PVR

Dave

 

[sic0048]

A quick clarification: The HD-PVR can output up to 1080i, not 1080p. I don't own the unit yet, but from what I have read the video quality looks to be extremely good, regardless of the 1080i/1080p distinction.

Dave

Thanks for pointing that out. I've edited my post so it doesn't cause future confusion.

 

[CollinR]

Will Sage TV (or any capture cards) support reading non-over the air HD content? I think as of about a year ago capture cards could only read unencrypted signals. (perhaps I'm mixing over-the-air with encrypted incorrectly here).

Johnny

SageTV also works with R5000 HD modded satellite receivers from Disk Network, 4DTV (C-band) , Starchoice (Canadian) and Bell Express Vu (Canadian) it also works with some cable boxes. Check Nextcom wireless for details. http://www.nextcomwireless.com/R5000/home.htm

Duh, can't believe I forgot that one. Thats 100% bitperfect capture.

 

[jkmonroe]

they are running a sale through december that makes getting cable box modded cheaper than buying a tivo and only $50 more expensive than buying a HDPVR.

do your homework first if youre going to go that route. every forum thread ive read on the subject complains that the drivers arent nearly good enough.

 

[Curt]

I am disappointed in the SageTV website they don't have any specification for their products up there. Screenshots look good however. I am going to test an AppleTV, i think that is the simplist solution, i have figured out the DVD ripping and conversion process into iTunes including coverart and meta data import. I am hoping that Synology will add AppleTV support to their iTunes server. If so I plan serve all my videos and music to appletv box and Nuvo, Russsound or slimbox. The Synology NAS (Network Attached storage) devices are quite feature rich, itunes, a slim/squeezecenter server app, ....)

I want to integrate with the Elk M1G if possible but i think appletv is the way i will go with video playback, hopefully they will introduce a new version that records. Now all i have to decide on an audio system.

FYI, my RS407 works great for business file storage, automated workstation backups, bt downloading, but now i need to implement the a/v server components.