my HTPC / SAN build

NYSpeed Automotive NYSpeed Off Topic
21

Question for you guys; How do I pipe all my premium / HD cable channels into my PC?

I’m not that big of a TV watcher, I use it mostly for movies. I have Time Warner digital with a cable box, but I don’t use the box (it’s just sitting unplugged somewhere.) I simply take the coaxial, plug it into my PC and watch TV with Media Center. Then I send the signal via wireless to a TV in another room. This works great, but I can’t get many premium / HD cable channels this way since the signal isn’t decoded. But is there some way with Time Warner to decode the channels without the box then pipe it into my PC? Is there some cable card box or something I can run in-line before my PC?

22

You need a cablecard tuner/cablecard from TWC for your PC to decode encrypted QAMs

23

this will probably be the easiest cheapest way for you to go:

http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/atsc/

$129, sits on your network and any PC can access it.

and you want to return your cable box if not using it because you’re paying a monthly rental fee on it.

24

That tuner will only pull the clear qam channels 1-99 (non-HD) possibly might pull locals in HD. Almost all of TWC’s content is encrypted and the HD stuff that isn’t is on Switched Digital which normal tuners don’t understand.

You need either HDHomerun Prime which like the box theblue linked sits on the network and any PC can use the tuners.

Also you can get the Ceton card like theblue has, which actually can also have the tuners network shared.

http://hd.engadget.com/2011/05/09/sharing-your-infinitv-4-over-the-network-is-now-a-wizard-away/

25

you’re correct… their newer more expensive one will do it:

http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/

but that costs more than the ceton.

26

Yeah I already get 1-99 plus some HD channels mixed in just over the coaxial line. But I’d like the higher-ups.

So the HDHome Run box is a tuner itself? There isn’t a simple cable card decoder than I can put in-line? I already have an HD tuner built into my PC… but it doesn’t have a cable card slot.

And I can just go to Time Warner and swap my box for a cable card?

27

you need a cable card for any of these solutions. You need something that can do two way communication which is what the tuning adapter does (they are free from time warner)

so you’ll need to buy either the ceton or hdhome run. they’re only a couple hundred and have go resale value if you decide to sell. plus you’ll be saving $5-$10 a month by not having a cable box / DVR / remote so if you use for long enough it’s free really and you can still sell at the end.

28

You don’t need a cable card for channels sent in the clear.

Two way communication is for channels that are switched digital 1-90 SD isn’t switched it depends on the hubsite/cable provider.

The idea of SDV is to save bandwidth for channels that are not watched all the time along with other 2 way services(video on demand etc)

29

a lot of the premium HD channels he wants are switched.

30

So I need both a tuning adapter AND a tuner with a cable card slot?

31

you obviously need something to accept the cable card (either the ceton or hd home run) and a tuning adapter (or two).

the cable card and tuning adapters are 100% free (not even a monthly rental fee) from time warner.

ceton external: http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-4-usb/
ceton internal: http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv-4-pcie/

prices might be cheaper on newegg etc…

32

Maybe I’m thinking in the wrong terminology, but if cable card & tuning adapters are both free, what do I need a ceton for when I already have an HD tuner? Or is my internal HD tuner essentially useless then?

I need to see a wiring diagram, lol.

Here is my setup, very simple;

http://www.nyspeed.com/pictures/setup.jpg
http://www.nyspeed.com/pictures/setup.jpg835×328 45.8 KB

33

Correction Cable Cards are NOT free, 2.50 a month lease fee from TWC, they include the SDV tuning adapter in that price.

Your current tuner card is NOT capable of decrypting the channels you want nor can it accept a cable card, a cable card is a little expresscard/pcmcia style that goes into the tuner (Ceton or HDHR Prime) and the SDV Tuning apapter connects via USB to the computer.

34

I’ll confirm later, but I’m pretty sure my cable card is free.

Onyx: what evane said.

---------- Post added at 01:30 PM ---------- Previous post was at 01:18 PM ----------

looks like I’m paying $2 / mo

38.63 Digital Cable (promotional offer expires 04/16/2013)
29.99 Standard Internet (promotional offer expires 11/16/2012)
4.99 Digital HD Tier
14.95 HBO With ON Demand Service
2.00 Cable Card
7.00 Digital Programming
You’ve saved $59.87 by subscribing to this package.
97.56 Total current monthly services