I have a cable box

[Ronald_B]

How does this effect recording a show from ATI's digital VCR? Will I have to manually switch the channels on the cable box if I want it to record something?

It's a analog cable box and I would like to record television shows, I'm not interested in recording PPV or movies.

Thanks!

[Tommy]

It affects the ati vcd just like it would a regular vcr. So yeah if its hooked up: Cable => cable box => computer. then yes you have to change channels on the cable box.

[neomaine]

Run, don't walk, to your favorite electronics store, get a splitter (maybe a couple pieces of 6ft tv cable) for about US$2 so you can have one cable going to the TV (your cable box) and another to your ATI card. I've got mine setup like this but split between my cable modem and my ATI Radeon, there's no perceivable difference from having either one connected directly (without the splitter). Works like a charm.

This will allow you to setup the tuner in your card to something other than just channel 3, much like a regular VCR. Once the ATI software runs through the tuning you'll be able to use the digital VCR just like a regular VCR. My ATI card came with GuideStar+ software which works like a TV Guide on steriods. It allows you to right click on a listing, chose record, a place to record to and then its off.

I usually end up tweeking the times, say 57 minutes, for a one hour show since the ATI software somehow has a different time-space reality than people do. For some reason recording for 60 minutes gets you almost 63 minutes of capture. The 57mins seems to get me about 59.5mins which is great in case I have back to back shows to record...like B5 at 7pm and Farscape at 8pm.

You should also be sure to get the (s)VCD settings and ATI setup recommendations (absolute must) and registry tweaks from this site in order to get good captures with a minimal amount of resources needed.

Have a good one,

Neomaine

[Ronald_B]

Neomaine, are you saying place the splitter BEFORE the cable box? One end to the box the other to the ATI card?

I have Sacramento Cable and they scramble all stations above channel 24. Can the ATI card descramble those?

[Greg12]

ati cards r not descramblers.

different cable company's use difference encryption settings.

u will need a cable box to watch tv above channel 24.

[neomaine]

ronald_b

If you want to watch the scrambled stuff above channel 24, you'll have to put the cable from the cable box to your ATI card, no splitter required.

You'll need your cable box powered on and set to the channel you want to record. Tell your ATI software to record channel 3, or whatever your cable box is set to. Then you'll just need to set the recording time and length in the digital VCR.