Tuning Encrypted HD Channels via Cable/Satellite Set Top Box in Media Center
A: The answer is no. Most HTPC on the market are only equpped to be able to record ATSC and NTSC signals. NTSC is standard definition analog television ("SDTV"). ATSC is the format for Over-the-Air ("OTA") digital television, including HDTV content. Most HTPC manufacturers which advertise HDTV support are referring to OTA HDTV. Some HTPCs, including many of our systems, are also capable of recording unencrypted digital cable, also known as
ClearQAM. Lastly, there is encrypted HDTV. Viewing and recording of encrypted HD channels requires special hardware and software which are not readily available in most HTPCs.
A: There are two methods to view and record encrypted HDTV channels on an HTPC. The first is to use a CableCard enabled digital cable tuner. This option allows the HTPC to directly decrypt digital cable signals and is now supported in Windows 7. The second method is to use your existing HD cable/satellite set top box and a TV Capture device with a component video input such as the Hauppauge HD PVR.
A: A CableCard is a device that looks like a credit card and has an embedded data chip on it. This data chip is programmed by a cable company to contains the information necessary to decrypt the cable company's premium digital channels. You can usually obtain a CableCard from your cable provider in lieu of a cable set top box if you have a device that has a built in slot to recieve a CableCard (such as some TIVO brand DVRs and some television sets). Using a CableCard with a CableCard enabled TV or DVR eliminates the need to have a set top box. This sounds great in theory, however there are several significant problems with the CableCard solution on HTPCs. The first is that most cable companies prefer that you use their set top boxes and many of them have limited support for CableCard. Secondly, as this technology is relatively new for the computer, there is currently only one manufacturer that makes CableCard digital cable tuners though several other manufacturers have announced that they intend to develop CableCard products. Because of this, CableCard tuners are rare, and expensive, and we at the HTPCguy have decided not to offer CableCard equipped HTPCs at this time. We will re-evaluate this situation as CableCard devices became more readily available.
Update: As of 11/09, ATI (the first manufacturer to produce a CableCard tuner for PC) has discounted production of its ATI TV Wonder Digital Cable Tuner. As of now, two manufacturers, CETON and Hauppauge, have announced CableCard digital tuners but neither product is expected to reach the retail market until Spring 2010.
A: The Hauppauge HD PVR 1212 offers a perfect alternative to CableCard for receving your full lineup of encrypted and unencrypted HD channels from your cable or satellite television provider. The HD PVR uses a Component Video input to receive and record television, including HD channels, from your cable box. All HDTV channels are actually broadcast in 1080i or 720p (see the HD
Cable/Satellite FAQ). Component Video is a video format that has bandwidth capable of handling up to 1080i or 720p signals, and
unlike HDMI, it is not content protected (no HDCP). Therefore the HD PVR can view and record, in native resolution, the HD output from your Component Video equipped cable or satellite set-top box. In addition, the HD PVR has an Optical Digital input (Toslink) and can recieve 5.1 channel audio from a cable/satellite box that is also equipped with a digital optical output.
A: Yes (and no). Hauppauge has not yet released a Media Center plugin for the HD PVR. Thus, Hauppauge requires the use of their own proprietary software to view and record television using the HD PVR, which of course is not ideal. However, the guys at DVBlink have created a Media Center plugin for Windows 7, which we at the HTPCguy have extensively tested. We feel that the combination of the Hauppauge HD PVR and DVBlink Media Center plugin are currently the best, and most user friendly, solution for viewing/recording premium HD content on the HTPC.
A: Not all HTPCs are created the same. At the HTPCguy, we spend a great deal of time researching software and matching hardware to provide you, the customer, with the most user friendly operating environment possible for viewing, recording and archiving your media content. This means that an HD PVR equipped system from the HTPCguy will be shipped properly configured to be able to record HD content from your cable box via Component Video from within Windows 7 Media Center. In addition, it will contain all of the hardware and software necessary to properly control (change the channels on) your cable box to facilitate scheduled recording of your favorite shows. This is important. Not every HTPC on the market comes to you equipped with the necessary hardware (IR Blaster/Repeater) to output the necessary IR signal to control an external set top box.