HD Video Capture questions

[lost123]

I was interested in capturing HD and SD video from my cable provider. I was thinking I could simply splice off of the cable box's output (very old school thinking apparently) - I found this info (in the MiniFAQ) at an online retailer, can anyone explain to me more about it?

Build your own High Definition HTPC using HD Capture Cards or USB 2.0 HD Tuner/Recorders. Record your favorite HD Shows or Sports programs for later viewing (Time Shifting) or use your HTPC as a replacement for your Cable DVR. Use with Antenna or as a Clear QAM capable Digital Cable Tuner/Recorder. Perfect addition to a Blu Ray capable HTPC for a one box solution.
Mini FAQ:
A) You cannot connect a source (DVD/Satellite or Cable box) Component video or HDMI output into these cards. For that you need a Pro level capture card, and in the case of HDMI, the source cannot be restricted by HDCP.
A) You can connect an HDTV Antenna or Digital HD Cable box RF Coax output to these cards. Some will also take Standard Def inputs like Composite or S-Video for capture. They will work with Standard Def channels as well.
A) Outputting video to your HDTV may require signal conversion. Check the specs on the unit of interest, or contact us for help.

[yoda313]

could simply splice off of the cable box's output (very old school thinking apparently)

Is your cable box high def? Does it have component (red,green,blue) output and hdmi output? Is this an analog cable box with the digital adapter?

If you want high def and you have hd cable with component output you can get a hauppauge hd pvr. It can record widescreen high def with 5.1 sound via fiber optic. It is a usb box that will connect to your computer. It will record into h264 into either a mp4, m2ts, or ts file.

If you don't have high def cable you can use a hdtv adapter for your computer. It can record over the air channels in digital format - usually .ts format in the US.

You can also record the analog outputs off your cable box (the red, white, yellow outputs) if you want or if you don't have hd cable. That can be done with any capture device that accepts composite input.

Please note that analog outputs are subject to being disabled over the next few years as the digital switch over goes into high gear. Only hdmi will be available eventually. How soon depends on the individual company.

One last note if your cable box has firewire (ieee) output you can capture that way. However some open non premium channels may be encrypted when they aren't supposed to be and you won't be able to get any usable output from them.

[lost123]

It is a hi def. cable box, a motorolla qip 7100 output wise, it has component, hdmi, rf, svideo and firewire. Is there no current way to put a y-connector in at the hdmi out and serve both the tv and send the other stream to the computer?

[edDV]

It is a hi def. cable box, a motorolla qip 7100 output wise, it has component, hdmi, rf, svideo and firewire. Is there no current way to put a y-connector in at the hdmi out and serve both the tv and send the other stream to the computer?

HD cable box HDMI outputs always have HDCP.

You main options are MPEG2 TS over IEEE-1394 (channels available at discretion of provider) or via analog component. Most boxes don't output HDMI and analog component at the same time.

[Brad]

It is a hi def. cable box, a motorolla qip 7100 output wise, it has component, hdmi, rf, svideo and firewire. Is there no current way to put a y-connector in at the hdmi out and serve both the tv and send the other stream to the computer?

You would need to use an actual powered splitter, not a passive Y-cable.

But firewire would be the best.

[lost123]

So not like the '80's where if you liked a show, you recorded it! So basically if you are watching something in high def. you may be able to record it via component output or if your firewire port is working.... HDCP sucks

[edDV]

So not like the '80's where if you liked a show, you recorded it! So basically if you are watching something in high def. you may be able to record it via component output or if your firewire port is working.... HDCP sucks

All by design. Not the 80s anymore.

[yoda313]

All by design. Not the 80s anymore.

Ah the price for perfection and the high def lifestyle..... Can't get everything you want. (too bad it hit the analog world too with the ota evolution and cable ditching analog - that sucks)

[sanlyn]

Please note that analog outputs are subject to being disabled over the next few years as the digital switch over goes into high gear. Only hdmi will be available eventually. How soon depends on the individual company.

The result being, of course, what the a/v industry wants; cheaper (i.e., lower) quality, the end of individuals recording their own libraries for their own use, and pretty much the end of this video hobby for many people. We've seen it coming for a long time.