Hi everyone,

I'm going to be moving into a condo soon and the entire building has StarChoice. As far as I know (I'll double check on Sunday) there is no STB in order to view the regular channels. However, it is stated that if you want to watch HDTV you need to get a box from StarChoice.

My question is, first of all, does this mean the regular channels aren't encrypted? Meaning I can run it straight into a tuner card in a PC?

Secondly, if the channels are not encrypted, then do you think the STB is only for HD if your TV needs it? Do you think that the standard HD channels are available without a STB if your TV/PC can use it?

I'm not sure if I'm asking the right questions, or if I'm missing something, but it seems that if there is no STB needed for regular channels, then I might get lucky with HD as well?

Dave.

You will need a STB from StarChoice to watch anything. If you get an HD receiver (505 or 530) you can get both SD and HD channels.

As a new customer you should be able to get some discounts on the hardware in the form of programming discounts. The Source often has deals.

But you will need to obtain a STB, and you cannot plug the coax into a tuner card in the back of a PC.

smp01,

Thanks for the info. On Sunday I'm going to check to see if the current owner is using a STB or not.

It really frustrates me that these cable/satellite companies make everything so difficult. That said, I may just try to go with Cogeco because I'm going to need highspeed internet anyway.

Thanks again!

Dave.

It is possible that the channels that the condo gets "free" are (re)modulated into channels that can be viewed through any TV/card with an NTSC tuner - so no STB requirement, unless you wish to receive signals that are outside the free allotment?

You should also confirm in writing whether you can connect an HDSTB/PVR and get HD. Sometimes the Dish or system in place may not allow those signals to go to individual apartments. If it's possible to get HD, you would need an HD STB/PVR because the RF-coax feed cannot carry HD to an NTSC tuner - only SD.

You may not be able to use a different service provider if the condo has an exclusive, or if other providers don't have access to the condo site.

So, do not assume anything and when you ask questions, make sure you and they understand what's available - talk to another resident who has HD if that's what you require..

I was thinking the same thing as 57 and jibes with what the OP states.

I was at the condo on Sunday, and it seems like the owner only has a STB for the main TV, and none for her secondary TV. So I believe that she must be getting extra channels, etc for the main TV hence the STB.

So, I'm either going to just stick with 100% with starchoice, get their PVR, etc. Or, I can use their SD channels, and then maybe OTA (which I really don't want to do, but might). Or hope that the new Hauppage tuner comes out which maybe I can use?

I'm not moving in until April, so I have sometime.

Thanks everyone, any other suggestions or comments are great too.

Do let us know if you can, in fact, get HD and HD PVR with this set-up. I'm not sure from your response if that question got asked of the property manager.

Sounds like she has a STB on her main TV and simply has run a line from an extra output from the STB to her other TV. Some of SC receivers use IF so she may even be able to use a remote from the 2nd TV to control the main STB. All of the SC receivers that I can think of have multiple outputs and all are active regardless of what is connected.

It is possible for this setup to work, but both TVs will be tuned to the same station.

Do let us know if you can, in fact, get HD and HD PVR with this set-up. I'm not sure from your response if that question got asked of the property manager.
There is a new Hauppage card that has component in and can record up to 1080p, just released. But you must first run it through something that can output component, eg 505 or 530.

Smp01,

I'm pretty sure that the spliter was before the STB. And that the STB was for the extra channels she may have wanted on her main TV. In the lobby of the condo it says that for extra channels/HD channels you need to purchase a STB from starchoice. So, it sounds like its not needed for most channels. I hope, haha.

Also, you said that the ned Hauppage card was "just released"... it was?! Or do you mean, being released soon? I think that i might really be the answer to my problems, as OTA sounds like more of a hassle then I'm willing to put up with.

Thanks again everyone for your imput.

Dave.

canadaneedsmusi,
not sure where you're located but if you're in Burlington, odds are you are in our condo building. If that's the case, each condo unit has a 315 and 205 receiver that belong to the unit. Beyond that if you want additional tuners or HD you need to purchase these from *C. Each condo is equipped to accept a many as 4 *C tuners (PVR counts as 2 tuners). Hope this helps

Irons81,

If this is the case, is there anyway that these STBs can be integrated into a HTPC? These boxes seem to be older, so maybe there's a way? I realize this isnt necessarily the right thread for that question. Basically, is the signal coming out going to be encrypeted, or can a tuner and Media Centre pick it up and record it?

Thanks!

canadaneedsmusi,

the signal coming into the condo is like any digital signal from *C, BEV or cable company, it needs to be processed through a digital receiver to be viewed.