Is there any way to record directly from my STB?

[borntalent]

Hey.. I finally got the Hauppauge HD-PVR 2 1512. I notice that it has the multi-color component cables as well as HDMI. If I use the component cables, can I not bother with the HDMI splitter? Will there be a noticeable difference in quality when recording from my Fios DVR using component rather than HDMI?

Also.. which format is best to save or "render" out to if I want to save the shows on a DVR to watch on my TV later?

thanks!!

[usually_quiet]

Hey.. I finally got the Hauppauge HD-PVR 2 1512. I notice that it has the multi-color component cables as well as HDMI. If I use the component cables, can I not bother with the HDMI splitter? Will there be a noticeable difference in quality when recording from my Fios DVR using component rather than HDMI?

Also.. which format is best to save or "render" out to if I want to save the shows on a DVR to watch on my TV later?

thanks!!

The picture you get from HDMI may be somewhat better, but sure, you can use component video and skip the splitter, although it is likely that you will need to disconnect the DVR's HDMI cable from your TV and use the HD-PVR II.s HDMI pass through to provide a picture to the TV instead. You would use an optical S/PDIF cable for capturing AC3 audio.

Here's the reason: Some cable boxes and DVRs won't allow you to use HDMI and component video the same time. Others that do allow component video and HDMI to be used at the same time add "HDCP not present" or a similar warning to the video you are recording if you turn off the TV while recording if you are using both connections at the same time.

Configure the capture software to use TS or possibly M2TS. The MP4 files produced by Hauppauge's HD capture devices are problematic. You can try saving to MKV or MP4 later, after editing to remove commercials, if you prefer those containers.

[jman98]

Also.. which format is best to save or "render" out to if I want to save the shows on a DVR to watch on my TV later?

If this really means "I want to copy shows off the DVR, edit them and then export them back to the DVR later", that is NOT going to work, or I can at least say that I've never heard of a DVR that would allow you to export files from a PC to it.

[borntalent]

UsuallyQuiet: Gotcha!! Thanks so much!!

Jman: no.. I do not want to put them back on the DVR. I just want to record the shows from my DVR to my PC... edit out the commercials and keep it on a hard drive so I can go back and watch them later. I have too much on my Fios DVR, so I am going to have to delete things soon, so I wanted to save some shows to a hard drive so I can clear space. (Plus I was on some of the shows... so I want to have a good quality copy).

[Westside11]

Sounds like the setup you have will work. I've been using a Hauppauge HDPVR (v1) for years with component cable and optical from my Directv box, to record shows and transfer off the DVR. The only catch I've found is the local tv has to be on (to solve the HDCP) for the computer to allow signal through the component.
Other than that, it works great.

Note - I just learned that Photoshop won't edit 5.1, so I'm having to use other programs to edit commercials out - or save the audio to MP3 first, then rejoin it. (but thats a bit of a pain)

[borntalent]

Usually Quiet: I ended up buying the VIEW HDMI Splitter that you suggested, and it works PERFECT!!! I got perfect HD copy of my shows on my PC form the Fios DVR. Being that it is in .TS format, I tried to edit out commercials in Cyberlink PowerDirector9 ..but it kept crashing.... however, Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 seems to work. What is the best Export setting/file type to use?? I don't care much how big the file is.. I just want the videos to look just as good on my big screen TV as they do after transferring them. do export back out as .TS (if that's possible) ..or do I choose another setting?? There's so many to choose from.

thanks

[usually_quiet]

Usually Quiet: I ended up buying the VIEW HDMI Splitter that you suggested, and it works PERFECT!!! I got perfect HD copy of my shows on my PC form the Fios DVR. Being that it is in .TS format, I tried to edit out commercials in Cyberlink PowerDirector9 ..but it kept crashing.... however, Adobe Premiere Pro CS6 seems to work. What is the best Export setting/file type to use?? I don't care much how big the file is.. I just want the videos to look just as good on my big screen TV as they do after transferring them. do export back out as .TS (if that's possible) ..or do I choose another setting?? There's so many to choose from.

thanks

Your choice of container files and audio and video formats is determined by what the playback device accepts. If H.264 video, and AAC or AC3 audio in a TS container are compatible with your playback device, you can use them. Otherwise you have to export something else for compatibility, possibly MP4 or MKV.

I don't have any experience with Adobe Premiere Pro CS6, so I don't know if it has a smart rendering option (only incomplete GOPs adjacent to the cuts are re-encoded). If it does, and you can use the original video and audio that is ideally what you should use.