PVR software for Comcast Digital Channels?

[PappaDj]

Can someone help me find a PVR software that will let me receive all or most of my Digital channels from Comcast? I wonder if I can only get digital channels if I use the receiver but then that would beat the point of random unattended programming and recording that I would like to get out of my WinFast TV2000XP Deluxe. For instance if I wanted to record something on TechTV I cannot because the software I've used will not pick up channel 244. WinTV gets like 1-160 channels and WinFast PVR gets 1-125. Is there a way to get all or most at least?

[thayne]

I dont think any have a digital tuner, you would need to use your receiver. I know sagerecord and a PVR-250 you can control the digital cable box channels with something called an IR blaster.

[PappaDj]

Hey thayne thanks for the response. I found this site http://www.titantv.com/ttv/Home/2ndLevelInfo.aspx#pvr

**Sigh**

Looks like I do need a digital tuner card that supports digital cable. Thought I could get a 50 dollar solution but cheap and full featured will rarely ever go together.

Does anyone have a low cost colution aside from running the coax out from the digital comast receiver to the tuner card? Is there an ATI AIW card that supports this?

What would be nice is if I could use the analog cable stations and also have the option for a video in. For instance, I could set up a channel and designate that channel to the comcast receiver box that I have to change the channel on the box itself and then have the option to change the channels to pick up on all the analog stations. This would require a a/v switch but I would like to be able to program different programs to record at different times unattended.

Hmmm

[TBoneit]

And of course if you get a digital tuner working despite the encryption the cable companies use, if you get even 1 channel you aren't subscribed to then you are breaking the law. I gather that europe is different, DVB Sat Tv cards etc. But they won't work here.

I do not believe there are any digital boxes that aren't supplied from the cable company. As I understand it even if you had the same model it won't work as they also do some sort of programming to tyheir boxes.

So in summary, if your digital box can be programmed with timers, then you need to set two timers. One in the box and one in your computer. I'd hook the box up to the computer with S-video if they even have that on it. I seem to recall that the old digital box I had from optimum (when they first tried digital out locally) had timers in it, But it was buggy, buggy!

Good Luck

[PappaDj]

Interesting Digital Stream, Macro Image Technology, and Global Telemann Systems all have the cards that will pick up digital broadcasting but they are all around the $300-$400 price range. I wonder why it would be illegal to use a pvr on digital? I understand the word "copying" is becoming synonymous to the word "cheating" (thank you RIAA). I would hope that I'm not limited to when I record shows based on equipment (I can use a VCR or DVDR machine but not a tuner) or based on availability (I have to be there during the show... bathroom breaks and emergencies are not accepted). Well I've learned that if it makes sense then there's probably a law against it.

I dig the option to dual program. I would do that but one problem. The Comast box will not change automatically unless you are there to hit the OK button for the reminder notice. I need to research this a little more but I'm pretty sure that's the only option.

So I guess I could wait for the Explorer 8000 (probably) from Samsung to be provided by the cable company... or I need to leave it on one station and set the time for whatever programs are on that one station... just seems a bit of a limited option. But then I could spend $300+ to get more options.

[PappaDj]

Well to follow my short (I can't believe I can't record from a tuner) rant I then reread your statement... I think I misunderstood. You stated that as long as you have subscribed to the station. I don't plan on trying to decrypt stations so it's just a matter of trying to overcome limitations and it looks like it requires more cash.

[SHS]

No that thank you MPAA PappaDj
PappaDj you may as well forget any Computer PCI card from Interesting Digital Stream, Macro Image Technology, and Global Telemann Systems, etc, etc they may have the cards that will pick up digital broadcasting but there only for the standrad HDTV over the AIR channel they well not work Digital Cable Broadcast.
Have you even wonder why satellite box have a smart card? (That where the decrypt info is stored at).
Cable use non standrad encryption just like satellite so this where FCC mess up BIG TIME they didn't tell god damm cable/satellite company to stick to format but then agine there tell the AIR Broadcast TV stations to swicth to HDTV by no later then 2007 or be cut off.
They come out and setup the cable box for you been they have re-programming that new Digital Cable Box to work with there cable system and male sure you have TV set close by I tell you rigth now they will not hook to your PC.

[PappaDj]

I don't want to believe
** covers ears **
It can't beeee!
** tears **

Thanks for shedding the bad news SHS. :P TitanTV gives me the impression that it is possible because not only is the Tv programs available on the program grid but there are links for the "auto pvr" thing that's linked to my pvr software so winfast pvr, showshifter, etc tries to get the channel but cannot. Kinda weird that the links are even there. Maybe titan tv is used for like DVR compents that can handle this for some companies... dunno.

Thanks for your help everyone.

[SHS]

Belive or not there is plans for Digital Cable PCI or USB device but that long ways off most likely will not happing in tell mid 2004 to 2005 if MS can pull it off.

[lordsmurf]

In the USA, there are not any legal digital cable/satellite capture cards. In Europe there are a few, but not here.

[PappaDj]

are there dvrs (Tivo, ReplayTv, etc) that will work with digital cable? and will either work via transfer to pc? I remember that you can hack one of them to install an ethernet port for transfer to your computer but I may be wrong. I haven't looked so I'm sure they probably come with it... a box named moxi comes to mind. I'll have to research.

[TBoneit]

It's not illeagal to PVR Digital broadcasts, But those cards you found only do over the air reception. Digital Cable or Sat Tv is a different animal.

OTA stations want everyone to view, Thus they broadcast with no encryption. Comcast and other cable co. & Sat Tv only want you to sub to the channels to view them. If they were in the clear, who'd pay for them then.

I beleieve both of the USA Sat Tv companies have announced plans for HD PVRs in the near furture (Echostar (Dishnetwork) & DirecTv.

Also watch out for confusing Digital with HDTV.

All channels on the Sat Tv providers are digital even locals. But only a few are HDTV.

I have had a Digital PVR from Dishnetwork ever since the release in 1999 (As I recall it) called the Dishplayer. At the time it was great and still works good. Some features still not in Tivo or other PVRs.

I upgraded the HD to a 30 hour drive myself. It's become easy to get the programs to the computer and generate a DVD.

And most important feature is freedom! Freedom from the schedule made by the networks and premium channels.

I skip (30) second skip button commercials, I record now and watch whenever.

Anyway, Dump Cable get Dishnetwork or DirecTv, they both have plans low cost equipment (PVRs and non-PVRs) and all channels are digital.

I believe since the Dishplayer and Dishnetwork 501/508s don't encrypt the data on the HD it doesn't violate the DMCA to retrieve the programs from said drive.

Others: If I'm wrong feel free to educate me.

Cheers

[PappaDj]

I'll accept this answer, however I have 2 reservations that I don't quite understand. I do understand Titan TV is not a PVR.. but it does have links to input channels to a PVR software so:

1)Why do Titan TV states that these cards support Digital Broadcasting? http://www.titantv.com/ttv/Home/2ndLevelInfo.aspx#pvr

2)Why are there pvr supported links to digital channels that my, nor anyone else's card support?

I have e-mailed Titan TV about this so I'll report if I find out anything.

[SHS]

PappaDj TitanTV is nothing more then a web base TV guide allowing OEM to build a scheduler for there product.

[TBoneit]

I'll accept this answer, however I have 2 reservations that I don't quite understand. I do understand Titan TV is not a PVR.. but it does have links to input channels to a PVR software so:

1)Why do Titan TV states that these cards support Digital Broadcasting? http://www.titantv.com/ttv/Home/2ndLevelInfo.aspx#pvr

2)Why are there pvr supported links to digital channels that my, nor anyone else's card support?

I have e-mailed Titan TV about this so I'll report if I find out anything.

for number 1 above. It supports digital broadcasting, not digital cable, digital broadcasting requires an antenna.

Thus the card only supports reception from an antenna, not from cable or sattelite TV.

Hope this makes it clear.
Roger T

[Gazorgan]

Digital Broadcasting and Digital cable are not related, don't confuse them. Any tuner card you find will be for digital broadcasting.

Digital Cable is an entirely different animal. First of all there are no 'channels' like digital broadcast. Instead, there is a data stream for X number of channels. Your digital cable box only changes data streams when you jump some number of channels. This means if several adjacent channels are showing action movies, you can run out of Mbps real fast (channels are staged to prevent this).

Anyway, to make a long story short: No, there is no timeshifting digital cable. I can be done, but not legally. Some companies offer a Tivo version, but this has all kinds of copyright implications and some won't do it.