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Martian · 10-28-2009, 08:38 PM

Had you asked first, my advice would've been not to waste your money on a tv tuner card. Oh well.

Here's how it works:

To turn your PC into a DVR (not a Tivo, which is a brand name) you need three things: an incoming signal stream, a piece of software to capture that signal stream, and a storage device to hold all your shows. The incoming signal can be passed in via coax, but you'd be better off using DVI or S-Video for the higher quality. Fortunately, most modern video cards do have an S-Video input at the very least -- what this means is that you can simply run the appropriate cable from your set-top box to the PC and it'll do it's thing.

The reason the TV tuner card is mostly useless is because cable companies encrypt their signals. Back in the days of analogue signals, you could use virtually any tuner to do the job, but the fancy encryption used by modern digital cable providers means that you have to have some of their hardware somewhere along the signal path.

So.

From here, you can go one of two routes.

1) You can use your existing set-top box to decode the signal. This involves a bit of wizardry. You'll need to leave your existing set-top box connected exactly as it currently is. You'll then need to run the signal to your HTPC. Again, you can use coax for this, but I'd recommend S-Video or DVI if you have the capability for either. You'll then need appropriate software on the HTPC (MythTV is popular, but Boxee also works from what I understand), and you'll need to connect an IR Blaster back to the cable-box so that the PC can control the channel.

2) You can do some research and see if you can find a CableCARD adapter for your PC. I've never seen one, but to be fair I've never looked either. If youo can find one, you'll hook that up to your HTPC, then you'll simply run the signal directly back to the TV. You'll have to call Comcast to get a CableCARD and a technician will have to install it for you, but as far as I'm aware this all happens at no cost to you.

Note that neither of these uses the tv tuner card, which is really only useful for OTA transmissions. You might want to investigate the return policy of wherever you got it from. Or, you can keep it and use it to receive FM radio signals, which from the sounds of it is the only thing you'll really be able to use it for. The remote too, maybe.

10-28-2009, 08:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada	Had you asked first, my advice would've been not to waste your money on a tv tuner card. Oh well. Here's how it works: To turn your PC into a DVR (not a Tivo, which is a brand name) you need three things: an incoming signal stream, a piece of software to capture that signal stream, and a storage device to hold all your shows. The incoming signal can be passed in via coax, but you'd be better off using DVI or S-Video for the higher quality. Fortunately, most modern video cards do have an S-Video input at the very least -- what this means is that you can simply run the appropriate cable from your set-top box to the PC and it'll do it's thing. The reason the TV tuner card is mostly useless is because cable companies encrypt their signals. Back in the days of analogue signals, you could use virtually any tuner to do the job, but the fancy encryption used by modern digital cable providers means that you have to have some of their hardware somewhere along the signal path. So. From here, you can go one of two routes. 1) You can use your existing set-top box to decode the signal. This involves a bit of wizardry. You'll need to leave your existing set-top box connected exactly as it currently is. You'll then need to run the signal to your HTPC. Again, you can use coax for this, but I'd recommend S-Video or DVI if you have the capability for either. You'll then need appropriate software on the HTPC (MythTV is popular, but Boxee also works from what I understand), and you'll need to connect an IR Blaster back to the cable-box so that the PC can control the channel. 2) You can do some research and see if you can find a CableCARD adapter for your PC. I've never seen one, but to be fair I've never looked either. If youo can find one, you'll hook that up to your HTPC, then you'll simply run the signal directly back to the TV. You'll have to call Comcast to get a CableCARD and a technician will have to install it for you, but as far as I'm aware this all happens at no cost to you. Note that neither of these uses the tv tuner card, which is really only useful for OTA transmissions. You might want to investigate the return policy of wherever you got it from. Or, you can keep it and use it to receive FM radio signals, which from the sounds of it is the only thing you'll really be able to use it for. The remote too, maybe. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame