Brighthouse 4250HDC > Record to WMC?

[greyfalcon]

I called my local bright house location and asked what HD converter model would issued if I wanted it for my cable service. They said they currently used the Explorer 4250HDC

So it has coax output that can goto my PVR, my question is how does WMC work with a STB in this regard? I read a bunch of posts that mention an IR connector cable or something? Can someone explain that a bit? Am I looking for something to connect to my PC and the STB?

A bunch of posts mention recording with firewire, is there a reason for that? Would a regular coax cable from the STB to my PVR not be able to record HD? My PVR card doesn't have a firewire input, so if thats the case what device do you recommend?

Currently I just have ATSC antenna on the roof with a coax cable to my PC's PVR, with WMC controlling it. I just wasn't sure how the process changes if I start using a STB instead.

Thanks for any help.

[Brad]

The coax output from the STB is going to be the lowest quality output, analog SD.

You don't need any special hardware for firewire recording, just an input on the PC. If you don't have one a PCI or PCIe card with the appropriate connection is easily found for under 10 bucks. Ignore any cables that claim to convert firewire to USB. You really do need firewire.

The main issues are whether (a) the firewire output on the box is enabled and (b) the channels you want to record aren't flagged to prevent it.

An alternative may be CableCARD.

[greyfalcon]

Thanks for the input, I'll look into a firewire cable and cheap card for the machine.

Is the CableCARD meant to go into the HD Converter box or as a alternative to it with a 3rd party solution like TiVo or something? Does it avoid the channel flagging meant to stop copyrighted recording? I know a lot of people seem to pull shows off their 3rd party devices but i'm not familiar with the details of what it involves.

[Brad]

A CableCARD would let you use a PC tuner directly in WMC. I don't know the specifics of what types of recordings it allows.

[usually_quiet]

Is the CableCARD meant to go into the HD Converter box or as a alternative to it with a 3rd party solution like TiVo or something? Does it avoid the channel flagging meant to stop copyrighted recording? I know a lot of people seem to pull shows off their 3rd party devices but i'm not familiar with the details of what it involves.

CableCARD tuners are devices that allow a PC to tune encrypted cable channels in addition to clear QAM channels. CableCARD tuners don't completely replace a cableco STB or DVR because they can't provide direct access to on-demand programming and some other services. Below are the CableCARD tuners currently in production.

http://www.amazon.com/Ceton-Infinitv4-Digital-Cable-Quad-tuner/dp/B003B4VLJQ
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815345006&cm_re=silicon_dust-_-1...-006-_-Product
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815345009&cm_re=silicon_dust-_-1...-009-_-Product

Ceton's tuner is an internal PCI-E device. SiliconDust's are networkable external devices. They all need M-cards because they are multi-tuner. The six-tuner model needs two M-cards. If Brighthouse uses Switched Digital Video a tuning adapter for every 2 tuners would also be needed. Setup becomes more difficult when tuning adatpers are installed.

SiliconDust's models can be used with other PVR software for clear QAM channels. Windows 7's Media Center or a certified Vista Media Center PC is required to use CableCARD tuners to watch or record encrypted channels.

Digital Cable Advisor in Media Center can be used to check whether your system meets some additional requirements for using a CableCARD tuner. It is also necessary to install PlayReady DRM software to watch/record encrypted channels.

Windows Media Center does obey copy protection flags. Programming marked "copy freely" has no restrictions, but only your local over-the-air broadcast channels are required to be "copy freely". Anything else can be marked "copy once" if your cable provider wishes. You can record programming flagged "copy once" but those recordings will be encrypted and tied to the PC that made them. A media extender is required to vew them elsewhere using you home network. The XBox 360 is recommended for this purpose. Programming flagged "copy never" wont be recorded, but only a few types of programming such as premium channels (HBO, Showtime, etc.), pay-per-view and paid on-demand movies are permitted to be flagged "copy never".