what is the best way to capture broadcast shows from verizon FIOS....

[unclescoob]

....and rip the digital file into your PC? I believe the box has S-video, but I have to check.

I'm considering the Diamond VC500 one touch video. Am I on the right track? Any other suggestions?

Thanks

[sanlyn]

What is the model of your FIOS cable box?

[unclescoob]

I'll have to check that out tonight. I was wondering if the WD 1TB live hub can record.

[unclescoob]

BTW, SANLYN OL' BUDDY OL' PAL, HOW THE HELL ARE YA? C'mere and give your uncle a kiss!!!!

[usually_quiet]

If you only want to capture manually in standard definition, something like the Diamond VC500 one touch will work. There are other options too. The StarTech SVID2USB2 USB and Hauppage USB-Live 2 have worked well for a couple of this forum's members.
http://www.amazon.com/StarTech-SVID2USB2-S-Video-Composite-Capture/dp/B000O5RIWO
http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-610-USB-Live-Digitizer-Capture/dp/B0036VO2BI/ref=sr_1_...uge+usb-live+2

These small USB devices rely on software encoding. Hardware requirements vary according to the format. Most dual core machines can handle MPEG-2 or lossless capture. MAGIX Video Easy 4 HD apparently works well for manual MPEG-2 capture with a lot of these little devices. VLC may also work for MPEG-2, but figuring out how to use it can be tricky. For lossless capture, there is Virtualdub, or AmaRecTV, but niether is particularly beginner-friendly. Any of the above capture programs can have difficulty with individual devices. GraphStudio is used to build filter graphs for capture, but constructing a successful graph require often requires persistance and a lot of trial and error.

If you want to capture using software that offers VCR-like timers or a one-click program guide based recording you probably need something else.

[sanlyn]

Many cable companies in several regions have disabled analog outputs from some HD boxes. If it's an HD box, analog outputs can be used if the owner is viewing tv via HDMI at the same time (depends on the box and its configuration). Deciding on a capture device is a little (?) premature if the owner doesn't yet know whether the box has the proper outputs. S-video and composite video outputs from most HD boxes will output a 640x480 image that has 16:9 broadcasts letterboxed; the 4:3 SD channels will likely be letterboxed as well as pillared. The only analog HD output from today's HD boxes are component video outputs (if they haven't been disabled). Regardless of the output used, many HD broadcasts today are copy-protected. They are HDCP protected thru HDMI.

[usually_quiet]

Many cable companies in several regions have disabled analog outputs from some HD boxes.

...and what non-premium cable channels are affected by this? As I recall FCC rules prohibit cable companies like FIOS from disabling analog outlets on HD boxes except for pay per view events, commercial-free premium channels, and pay per view movies that are made available while they are still in theaters, but only for 90 days or until the DVD or Blu-Ray release date.

[unclescoob]

I'll just tape the ******* thing with my VCR.

I didn't ask for a thesis on broadcasting and copyright protection. Since when did simply recording a show become rocket science?

[jagabo]

Since when did simply recording a show become rocket science?

Since the advent of HDCP, CGMS-A, Macrovision, RC5 encryption, etc.

[sanlyn]

Try your s-video output into your VCR, see what you get. It'll probably look better than that $20 piece of crap you want. Sorry you don't like the details, scoob. Next time, go to the FIOS website and get your own answers. I already checked 'em out (something wrong with the browser in your illegal copy of Windows?) You had it all figured out beforehand but were still too lazy to look behind your FIOS box to see what's there. Being an ingrate is one thing; being a stupid ingrate is a waste of our time.

Thanks for the update, usually_quiet. I was mindlessly repeating nasty rumors I saw elsewhere. I'll stick to the FCC rules on that issue.

[usually_quiet]

Thanks for the update, usually_quiet. I was mindlessly repeating nasty rumors I saw elsewhere. I'll stick to the FCC rules on that issue.

Actually I made a mistake. Pay-per-view movies that are made available while they are still in theaters are the only thing in my list for which disabling analog output is allowed by the FCC. http://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2010/05/fcc-gives-hollywood-control-over-your-home-theater/

The other two (pay per view events and commercial-free premium channels) are only eligible for CGMS-A "copy never" protection and MacroVision I suppose.

Everything else on cable is supposed to be CGMS-A "copy freely" or "copy once".

Most DVD recorders obey CGMS-A, but most analog PC capture hardware ignores it, although MacroVision will still cause problems for both. Commercial capture software may also obey CGMS-A and digital copy protection flags, but freeware probably won't.

[usually_quiet]

I'll just tape the ******* thing with my VCR.

I didn't ask for a thesis on broadcasting and copyright protection. Since when did simply recording a show become rocket science?

It's up to you. Some people do encounter problems with copy protection recording various things with a PC, VCR or DVD recorder, and others don't. So far I haven't with Comcast and an SD cable box. ...but I have no access to HD cable, no premium channels, and don't order pay-per-view events and movies, let alone try to record them.

[sanlyn]

I record via DVD recorder through an SD digital box. During the past year I noticed several cable channels showing up as "copy-once" in the recorder's hard drive. PBS and the old commercial networks aren't a problem, but now I see that WE, Military Channel, NatGeo, History, TNT, TBS, USA, etc., are now coming up as copy-once thru my SD and HD boxes alike. TCM is copy-once thru my HD box, but not thru the SD box.....yet .

[jman98]

I'll have to check that out tonight. I was wondering if the WD 1TB live hub can record.

No, it's a play only device.

[unclescoob]

Sanlyn, c'mere and give me a kiss you big lug.

[unclescoob]

I was mindlessly repeating nasty rumors I saw elsewhere.