HTPC Digital Tuner

Inquitus

Hi,

I am on Chorus digital, and am turning our Vista Ultimate PC into a HTPC (so basically just moving it to a HTPC case and adding a tuner card)

What is the best Digital Tuner card to use for this? also how good is the EPG for Chorus digital in Dublin?

Tnx,

inqui

subway

youll need an analog tuner, digital tuner wont work.
the pc then controls the chorus stb with an ir blaster.

the epg is hit and miss with about 30% of the channels showing as "no data availble" all the time

for a tv card id recommend a hauppauge pvr-150

Inquitus

Tnx for the reply.

I had a HTPC a few years ago that I ran off an old analogue TV Card, when I had analogue cable. Can you explain whats the diff between analogue and digital as far a tuners go?

Tnx

Inqui

SouperComputer

Generally speaking, a digital tuner would replace your STB. Of course, it would have to be able to mimck you STB and decrypt the digital content, as well as handshake with your provider by way of a viewing card.

With chorus, you have no choice but to use analog. However, it will not be through a radio (RF) signal, but rather a Composite or SVideo signal.

Inquitus

Ok tnx, I understand now

My STB has RF in, RF Out and Scart.

Seems:

The RF in brings in the signal (obviously).

The RF out goes into the aerial socket on my HDTV and carries only the legacy analogue service (due to be turned off at some stage).

The Scart carries the decoded digital signal into my TV.

My Question is WTF do I do to get this working with a HTPC? AM I limited to capturing the legacy analogue signal until it is turned off, or can I do something with the digital signal?

Tnx again,

Inqui

subway

you can split the scart into composite audio + video and plug that into a card like the haupuage 150 i mentioned above

Inquitus

Tnx Subway, can you pls link an appropriate Scart to Composite cable.

subway

http://images.thgweb.de/2005/11/16/das_grosse_thg_stecker_kompendium/scart2.jpg

http://tech.dishnetwork.com/departmental_content/TechPortal/images/tech/rca02.jpg

the aboce 2 items are all you need, you can get them in any electrical shop for about 3 euro each.

Inquitus

Tnx a mil Subway, have some of them floating about at home somewhere.

Another question, does the Scart exit stream carry the decoded stream for all channels? or will i have to set the STB to Sky Sports 1 (for example) to record that channel?

Tnx,

Inqui

8T8

Only one channel, if you have the MCE remove and IR blaster then it will change the channel for you through that.

It comes with a little IR blaster you can stick underneath your STB so it will auto change the channel for you when you set it to record something in the guide.

(BTW you cannot complete the TV wizard setup if you select cable TV & have a set top box without the IR blaster/remote present)

Inquitus

Just to clarify.

For all normal channels

I can record one channel while watching another?

or

I can only record the channel that the STB is set to?

For encrypted channels (Sky Sports etc)

I can record one channel while watching another?

or

I can only record the channel that the STB is set to?

I have only had digital a week or so and am unsure how it works entirely, on my previous analogue service for example I could watch any channel, while recording another, EXCEPT for the encrypted channels (Sports, Movies etc)

subway

with digital you can only record the channel the box is set to.

subway

however the analog signal is still going to your house so you can watch any of the basic 20 channels on the tv while the box is set to another channel

Inquitus

So in summary it pretty much sucks

Tnx for all the help, and info guys, seems I can get full MCE functionality as long as I have the old analogue service on the go, but run into real problems when it is switched off

It still seems worth making the transition however.

Anyone recommend a good bluetooth mouse and keyboard to use?

Tnx again

Inqui

subway

i think its great,
theres always something on so i have about 10 shows recorder per day which means i always have something to watch

mce works fine with ntl digital
i just use a micorsft keybaord set, but it hardly ever gets much use tbh
this one is specifi for mce and has a thumbstick built in:
http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=KB-053-MS
you need the mce remote received for it to work

Inquitus

I am going to go with this case:

http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_x15e.htm

Any thoughts welcomed

and a PVR-150 as recommended above, had one in my last HTPC and it did the job just great.

I will buy a Windows MCE remote, but does it come with thr IR Blasters? and if not where do I get them from?

Tnx again,

inqui

subway

nice case, but that screen would drive me demented, personal choice tho

the mce remote comes with 2 ir blasters, be warey of second hand remotes as the blasters have often gone missing

Inquitus

Ok seeing as the answers come thick and fast and to the point I might aswell get another few questions off my chest

The XFI Fatality is a very decent soundcard, can I do away with the need for a seperate sound amp and use it instead? What speakers could you recommend for the job? I have 2 small kids and no want of running wires across a room so all speakers will remain at the front, adjacent or underneath, the TV. As such I would be looking a 2.1, maybe 5.1 if viable.

Tnx again,

Inqui

subway

that sound card is more than adequate.
i use a logitech set with an external decoder, but before that used a set i picked up in lidl for 50 euro so unfortuanltey have no experience in between.

for what its worth, while the jump in sound output and quality is extremely noticeable, the cheap set were still better than most dvd player and surround set ups that ive seen (ie home theatre in a box)
a set of pc speakers should be gettable for anything from 30euro upwards.
id personally recommend a set of midrange logitech from my own experience.

id also definitely go for a 5.1 set, even if you dont have the placement perfect youll still get better sound from dvds etc.
however, a roll of speaker cable and some clips would cost you next to nothing and you could run some discreet cabling around your front room in a couple of hours ( i know i did )