HTPC to DSTV setup

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unwired

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Hi

I have been watching all the threads relating to whether you can record dstv to htpc using a tuner card - and to me it is all inconclusive.

I have just set up a HTPC now and have a Hauppauge tv card.

I have the following questions:

1. Is the issue of recording limited to certain DSTV decoders? or
2. Is it only HD channels which cannot be recorded?

I only have a Sony 32" lcd and the HTPC and the HD PVR decoder - no avr receiver/external speakers etc.
Can I connect up and how would I do it?

Thanks
 
The difficulty is recording HD content, SD is easy.
 
unwired said:
Hi

I have been watching all the threads relating to whether you can record dstv to htpc using a tuner card - and to me it is all inconclusive.

I have just set up a HTPC now and have a Hauppauge tv card.

I have the following questions:

1. Is the issue of recording limited to certain DSTV decoders? or
2. Is it only HD channels which cannot be recorded?

I only have a Sony 32" lcd and the HTPC and the HD PVR decoder - no avr receiver/external speakers etc.
Can I connect up and how would I do it?

Thanks
Click to expand...

I could never quite get my HD PVR 2P decoder to work properly with my HTPC. The channels didn't consistently change correctly (about 1 in every 3 changes would fail). On the contrary it worked perfectly with my old DSD990 and DSD1110 decoders.

What I ended up doing is to connect the DSD1110 to the HD PVR in a Xtraview configuration, so I now have a dedicated decoder for the HTPC. If you are paying for the PVR function on the HD PVR, the Xtraview is free of charge, so definitely worth doing.
 
unwired said:
Thanks for the confirmation.
How would the connections work?
Click to expand...

Just connect the RCA outputs (or RF out) on the decoder to the Hauppauge and point the IR transmitter beam on the HTPC to the decoder. Then set it up in Media Center (if that's what you using)
 
Mier said:
Just connect the RCA outputs (or RF out) on the decoder to the Hauppauge and point the IR transmitter beam on the HTPC to the decoder. Then set it up in Media Center (if that's what you using)
Click to expand...

Thanks will try it. when you say IR transmitter beam on htpc I am a bit lost.
Can you explain detail if possible? I am setting up in media centre.

One more thing, is the cable from the dish meant to go direct to the htpc?
does the htpc then pass the signal to the tv?
 
unwired said:
Thanks will try it. when you say IR transmitter beam on htpc I am a bit lost.
Can you explain detail if possible? I am setting up in media centre.

One more thing, is the cable from the dish meant to go direct to the htpc?
does the htpc then pass the signal to the tv?
Click to expand...

You need something like this: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/hauppauge-mce-remote-with-receiver,3968544
Depending on the tv card model, it would've been bundled with the tv card.
Basically, you connect the IR transceiver box via USB to the HTPC and there's also an IR transmitter bean that is placed in such a way that it points to the decoder. The remote allows you to control the HTPC, and when you change channels, the HTPC transmits the signal to the decoder with IR. So, the HTPC acts like a remote control. Depending on the HTPC case you use, it may have a IR receiver built-in, but to transmit IR to the decoder, you need an additional IR transmitter bean.

No, the dish connects to the decoder, nothing changes. The HTPC receives the audio/video from the decoder outputs and controls the decoder via the IR transmitter.

BTW, also visit www.mceguide.co.za if you haven't yet. It's the easiest way to get the DSTV/Toptv EPG into windows media center.
 
Mier said:
You need something like this: http://www.takealot.com/electronics/hauppauge-mce-remote-with-receiver,3968544
Depending on the tv card model, it would've been bundled with the tv card.
Basically, you connect the IR transceiver box via USB to the HTPC and there's also an IR transmitter bean that is placed in such a way that it points to the decoder. The remote allows you to control the HTPC, and when you change channels, the HTPC transmits the signal to the decoder with IR. So, the HTPC acts like a remote control. Depending on the HTPC case you use, it may have a IR receiver built-in, but to transmit IR to the decoder, you need an additional IR transmitter bean.

No, the dish connects to the decoder, nothing changes. The HTPC receives the audio/video from the decoder outputs and controls the decoder via the IR transmitter.

BTW, also visit www.mceguide.co.za if you haven't yet. It's the easiest way to get the DSTV/Toptv EPG into windows media center.
Click to expand...

Thanks. I have an Antec 2480B - so no IR receiver there. Seems like Take2 is out of stock on the receiver. Will check other stores for stock.
I have been to mceguide - all I need there is the EPG it seems
 
one more item - do you have a link to a similar IR transmitter beam.
Cant locate this.

Thanks
 
unwired said:
one more item - do you have a link to a similar IR transmitter beam.
Cant locate this.

Thanks
Click to expand...

They're also available in MCEshop at mceguide.co.za, or, what I did, was to ask a local store (www.centech.co.za) to order it for me (took two days). Perhaps the place you got your TV card from (rampage gaming?) can special order it
 
Mier said:
They're also available in MCEshop at mceguide.co.za, or, what I did, was to ask a local store (www.centech.co.za) to order it for me (took two days). Perhaps the place you got your TV card from (rampage gaming?) can special order it
Click to expand...

thanks for the advice.. yes - rampage gaming - it was.
have checked mceshop - they have this item for R 328.00

HAUPPAUGE Media Center Remote with IR transmitter (Compatible with Xbox 360)

Is this all I need? Sorry for the incessant questions.
 
unwired said:
thanks for the advice.. yes - rampage gaming - it was.
have checked mceshop - they have this item for R 328.00

HAUPPAUGE Media Center Remote with IR transmitter (Compatible with Xbox 360)

Is this all I need? Sorry for the incessant questions.
Click to expand...

Yes, you shouldn't need anything else.

Again, I had some challenges between the HD PVR and MCE (this was last year, so perhaps it's now resolved). I recommend that you set up Xtraview with a SD decoder and use the SD decoder for the HTPC. Also note that if you use Win7 MC, you can only playback recorded TV on the same HTPC as was used for recording, you cannot transfer the files to another PC (actually, there are ways, but that's another discussion).
 
Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated.
I will try the Xtraview route - as I have an 1100 decoder in my room which is linked to that in my living room. The lounge has the HD pvr.
 
Here's a diagram of my setup at home:
zn64vo.jpg

Thought you might be interested.
 
holy smoke this seems like a mission
sorry to hijack here, if im offending please say and i will remove

is it possible to use one of these products (all available from Esquire) in order to record from an DSTV (not an PVR) to an XP pc please


KWorld V-Stream Xpert DVD Maker USB 2.0 (Burn you VHS To DVD)
KWorld PC To TV Converter, Resolution: 1024 X 768, USB 2.0, High Quality Dual Display and Power Presentation
KWorld External TV Box - SA233, 1920X1200 Resolution,
KWorld HD PC to TV Convertor, USB2.0, 1920x1080, 32 bit, PC & Mac
KWorld VGA To RCA Converter, Watch TV and Play games
KWorld HDMI Convertor With 3X HDMI Ports
KWorld HyperMediaCenter TV Tuner 1024 X 768 DPI 32 BIT HIGH COLOR Hybrid Technology
KWorld TV Tuner For Notebook USB 2.0 With Arial with Hybrid Technology
 
or this
Manhattan Portable Digital TV Antenna -Receives ATSC and DVB-T Signals
Manhattan LCD TV SUPERA Converter with built-in TV tuner brings entertainment to existing LCD/CRT monitors, plasma .
Manhattan PCI Analogue TV Tuner Card- Receive Digital Television and Radio Broadcasts Almost Anywhere
Manhattan VGA +R/L Audio to HDMI Converter
Manhattan PC-TV Converter VGA-S-VIDEO +RCA
 
Unfortunately, I don't have experience with any of the above. Generally, I recommend one with Hardware encoding, otherwise performance may suffer.

Hauppauge is a good brand for TV Tuners and is known to be generally compatible with Windows Media Center. I'm not saying the ones you listed won't work, I just don't know.
 
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