TV Tuner Question

[dbtmellis]

I have a Hauppauge HVR 950-Q TV Tuner for my Desktop. This is a link to what it looks like
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr950q.html

I am going to be subscribing to Comcast Cable here very soon. I called comcast, and asked if i "needed" a set top box. The Rep said, yes, only if i want to view the Expanded channel lineup (such as Discovery, History, A&E, etc). I could view local and network broadcast without the box.

Now, my question is am i able to use a set-top box with my TV Tuner? I have been doing surfing online, and i have not been able to find much of anything so far.

Also, being that the set-top box already has a tuner builit in, will this conflict with my PC TV Tuner?

 

[derekimo]

Yes you will, Here's the guide I used to set mine up,
Set up a Comcast DTA with Media Center

You are going to want a seperate media center remote for the set up, This is the one I'm using,
Amazon.com: Noah Company MediaGate GP-IR02BK Windows Vista Home Premium and Windows Vista Ultimate MCE Remote Control, 2 Channel IR (Black): Electronics

Just follow that guide and it will explain how to set it up to use media center.

If you need anything else just post back and we'll help you out.

Derek

 

[dbtmellis]

So Do i have to request that box from Comcast?
I know lots of people who use Comcast, and i have seen them with a much bigger Motorola Box (silver color). Does this change for each region of the country?
Is this the same thing that $40 coupons were given out for last year? If so, i have one of them. I just dont live in an area that picks up TV signals very well.
Also, i dont have a remote control as of yet. Would i still be able to use Windows Media Center with my mouse on screen?

 

[derekimo]

Yes that box is so you can get the channels above 34, and they will supply 2 per household for no charge, It's not the same box that the $40 dollar coupons were given out for.

I'm not positive about the remote control, but I would think you could still use media center with your mouse, I set mine up with one but if it's not connected I think it will still let you set up media center without one.

Derek

 

[dbtmellis]

What i am wanting to know, how will changing channels be affected?

Do i have to change the channels on the box? Or is that all done with WMC? I am going to call Comcast tommrow and ask what kind of box they are going to give me. Does that smaller black box have on-screen menus? Aka is this the same as the Larger Silver Motorola boxes i have seen other people have?

 

[derekimo]

No you change channels with your mouse or keyboard if you aren't going to use a media center remote.

No it doesn't have on screen menu's but media center does.
Here's a screenshot of what it looks like when you move your mouse.

Those little boxes are just to let you access more than "Limited Basic" channels.
It is not the same as the larger motorola boxes that you're talking about.

Those boxes in that guide are called DTA boxes, so I would specify that when you call comcast because I'm sure the other boxes will cost you.

 

[Mellon Head]

I'm not positive about the remote control, but I would think you could still use media center with your mouse, I set mine up with one but if it's not connected I think it will still let you set up media center without one.

Derek

Media center won't set up a set top box without an MCE remote and IR blaster. The setup will hang at this step. You can get normal cable without the remote and blaster, but you need it for a set top box because it has to have a way to change the channels.

I have the Motorola box sitting under my monitor, and it took a week of Google searches to find this out, and to find a place to buy a remote that would work. If you buy the remote, make sure it comes with an IR blaster, or it's a waste of money.

Hauppauge sells a remote/blaster combo that might be compatible with your tuner. It might be worth checking out.

 

[derekimo]

Thanks Mellon Head,
I put a link to the one I'm using above.
Good info buddy.

 

[dbtmellis]

I now have a new question.
I have a Dell Insprion 530s, which is the slim form factor case. I will never again buy a slim case, because they are so hard to find PCI cards to fit what i want in my system.

I bought the HVR 950Q because of the USB connectivity.
Should i buy this tuner instead? WinTV-HVR-2250 Product overview
Half height-normally means the slim case?
If so, then this is what i am looking at- it has the tuner card, IR blasters, and a remote control.
All i need to do is to be sure to tell comcast to send me a DTA box.

 

[Mellon Head]

That's a nice card.

Hardware MPEG encoders are the way to go. You might have to order the half height bracket separately. If you buy it retail, it may say it's in the box on the packaging. One of my Hauppauge cards came with both (PVR-150) b/c it's half height.

 

[dbtmellis]

I think i am in luck
I have found that hauppague sells a Remote control and IR blaster accesory for $29.95 that should work with the HVR 950Q
Hauppauge Computer Works Online Store- Hardware
The only thing now is i have to add another USB expansion card. That isnt too hard to do.

Thank you for all your help out there!