HTPC, NOVA-HD-S2, CAM & Sky Encrypted

nickrose

Hi,

Great forum, seems to answer most of the questions I have.
Hope this has not been asked too many times,but...

My HTPC is currently hooked upto and records from my Sky+ box (With current subscription card) via Vista Media Centre using svideo and I.R Blaster- O.K but a bit primative in this day and age!

I have just bought a WinTV-NOVA-HD-S2 board and installed it .
Using DVBviewer Pro & CyberLink PowerCinema I have found all Sky TV channels, both Freeview and Encrypted.
I can access the freeview channels but obviously not the encrypted channels as yet I have no way to decrypt them.

My ultimate aim is to have a system that i can reliably leave to do unattended recordings, which is not possible with my current setup because of the PIN code required to watch films before and after the watershed on the Sky box.

Heres my questions...

1. If I was to buy a WinTV-CI & T Rex cam 4.6 super module should I be able to decrypt the encrypted channels and watch & record them?
2. How about HD channels (I have a Sky HD Box & Subscription as well),
would I be able to watch & record them using my HD card?

I have read articles saying that Media centre doesn't recognize Sky channels especially premium channels using the NOVA-HD-S2 board.
I realise that I would have to return the subscription card to the Sky box once a month ar so to keep it alive.

Any help would be grately appreciated.

kaisersose77

Windows media center doesnt support h264 HD channels so you'll have to use something like mediaportal instead, afraid i cant help you with anything else

try thegreenbutton.com for help aswell

kaisersose77

well it seems like h264 channels might work now through a hacked file mentioned on thegreenbutton but only DVB-S and not DVB-S2 channels( sky hd use dvb-s2)

rlogue

I would suggest Mediaportal as a way to go. It has a good interface and can use an xml based TV guide for the listings. However it does require a lot of work to set up so don't expect it to work out of the box.

The Hauppauge WinTV-CI works with a T-rex/Dragon Cam and a legit $ky card when paired with the Nova-S2.

mediacentre.ie

be aware that most CAM's will need to be loaded with firmware to work with the card. So you would need a card programer as well. If you didn't know this then ask the shop you are buying from to do it for you. there should be loads on ebay already loaded with firmware.

rlogue

Yes, fully loaded are what's needed. I personally find SD channels OK using this route, but encrypted HD (in my case Channel 4 HD) has a lot of 'tearing' on screen.