internal tv tuner

[padyboy]

I finally realize that the output from the dvr box must be a simple analog signal meant for a television set.
This is what the internal tv tuner card would be seeing. So the signal going down the line to the computer would be whatever the dvr box was tuned to. Thus thr IR Blaster would work for me, unless, as I said, Eastlink has done something to prevent this. I will get info on the remote they provided to see if they are any indicators, and ask Eastlink if another remote (and set top box) can be used with their cable signal.

Finally, I undestand the technology involved due to your patient assistance.

Now, if only I could get my download software functioning. But that is for another thread.

 

[profdlp]

They can't prevent you from using a substitute remote; infrared light is infrared light. The only glitch might be not being able to find a code to use, though that is unlikely. Google the brand and model number of your DVR and you should be able to find a listing for it. If you have trouble, post the brand and model number here and I'll have a look.

 

[padyboy]

reply

They can't prevent you from using a substitute remote; infrared light is infrared light. The only glitch might be not being able to find a code to use, though that is unlikely. Google the brand and model number of your DVR and you should be able to find a listing for it. If you have trouble, post the brand and model number here and I'll have a look. 12 Hours Ago 05:59 AM"They can't prevent you from using a substitute remote; infrared light is infrared light. The only glitch might be not being able to find a code to use, though that is unlikely. Google the brand and model number of your DVR and you should be able to find a listing for it. If you have trouble, post the brand and model number here and I'll have a look "

I live in Canada. Having spent 11 years living in Orange County, California, I have found that incursions on the people's lifestyles is much greater than in the U.S.
I am more concerned with being to use a different dvr box than theirs. I will inquire of them if this is "permitted". Since they have a monoply, as mentioned, I am uncertain what they can do, or what I can do. I will order the Hippauge tv tuner card. Do you think it is worth spending more for a dual channel card? If this allows me to record on 2 channels non-simultaneously, it might be worth the extra $$$.

Thanx again.

 

[profdlp]

Dual-Tuner is only worth it if you're willing to pay for two cable boxes or if you get a decent over-the-air signal and want to do one with cable and one with over-the-air.

As for the different DVR, you'll still need to use their cable box to decode the signal. The cable box (or DVR, whichever you use) is how they determine that you are a legal paying customer. In the early days of cable when the signals where not typically encoded it was common practice to tap into your neighbors line, add a splitter, then run a cable up to your house and get it for free. I knew a guy who bypassed the "swipe it from your neighbor" process and actually climbed the utility pole outside his house and tapped into the line from there.

The cable signal is sent encoded and the only (legal) way to decode it is to use the decoder in the box itself. Once the signal has passed through the cable box or DVR it is decoded and can be used by many devices. For instance, you could get a plain cable box merely to do the decoding (which is what I have running to the tuner card in my computer), after which the decoded signal will work on just about any TV tuner or off-the-shelf DVR. Keep in mind that what I mean by "plain cable box" refers to one I am renting from the cable company, not one I bought in a back alley off a shyster so I could steal the signal. The cable company would prefer that you rent the DVR from them because they A) Make more money that way and B) Don't have to put up with angry customers who are having technical problems because the one they bought doesn't work right. It would be like expecting Microsoft Support to help you with a Word document problem while you were using Open Office.

 

[padyboy]

I agree. There is no point in attempting to get some other dvr box, even if it was premitted.

However, so far I am encountering difficulty in locating a Canadian shipper of the Hippauge tuner card mentioned earlier. Also, some supppliers mention the same model number, "new", but make no mention of the IR Blaster remote.

I must, as always, be careful of who I deal with, even through Paypal.

Incidently, some tuner cards have a 1/8" minijack plug labelled as "stereo audio in". Do you know the sigbificance of this? I only want to deal with the 300 ohm coax cable from my dvr box.

Thanx.

 

[profdlp]

Keep in mind that a cable box, a DVR and a cable box/DVR combo are three different things. The cable box is just a tuner/decoder for the TV cable signal. A DVR is just a hard drive based way of recording digital video. The combo box (which is what you have) merely combines the first two into a single unit. You could have a cable box and still use your own DVR. (A TV Tuner inside a computer with the right software works just like a DVR.) Having a cable box/DVR combo from the cable company just ensures that you won't have to worry about any potential compatibility or configuration issues - it comes from the cable company with those already taken care of. That's why I recommend that people who just want to record stuff to watch later stick with that, it's just so much easier.

The trouble with "easy" is that the flip side of the coin is a lack of flexibility. Because it's all set up for you at the factory and comes preconfigured you just don't have the same number of options you might have with a custom setup. Those options may or may not be worth the hassle. It all depends on the needs of the individual user.

You can go here and click on "Canada" to see if any of these shops work for you:

Hauppauge Computer Works : Colossus

 

[padyboy]

I agree that my cable provider will not allow the use of a different box due to signal stealing and recording of pay-through-the-nose tv. I will stick with what I have.

I need a tuner card which will me to record programming from the basic service, as I do now with the dvr, to my computer hd.

Unfortunately, in a moment of haste, I ordered a "new" Hippauge HVR1250 from a Canadian supplier before noticing the "fine print" stating "remote: n/a". This same model on the Hippauge has on their website stating that the IR Blaster and hand remote are included. I should have been more careful of sombody selling the "new" product which is not the real thing, on Ebay. Although I realized my mistake and cancelled asap, Paypal is rather slow to react. The payment went through, and with 30 days of dispute processing time, I fear I may have just wasted $93. Perhaps since the product has not been shipped, it is not the same as a return.

Time will tell.
I should have just bitten the Customs bullet and ordered from the U.S., where the dealers give a clear representation of what is being offered.

I will tell you what happens. Now it is back to dealing with my 0 download speed again.

Thanx.

 

[profdlp]

I look forward to the update.