How to record HD programming?

[lpgao939]

I looked many DVD recorders with HDD(I want HDD because I dont want record anything to DVD), and I dont find they have component input so how can I record HD programming from my cable? Even they have built in tv tuner but they can not receive HD channels which from digital terminal(my one from Rogers.)

[Wayne]

Recording from component inputs doesn't exist in the home video market - two of the main reasons why not are DRM and the high bandwidth required. HD has six times as much info as SD so you need to encode six times as much data which takes much more processing power.

There are ways to record HD - (1) with a PVR from your cable or satellite that can record HD, (2) using an HTPC to record OTA HD, (3) having a firewire port on your cable/sat box and using your PC to record this signal, (4) (soon - once Vista is released) using the ATI OCUR equipped with a cable card with Vista to record cable from your cable co and (5) (also soon but a matter of a week or two) getting an HD-TiVo with CableCard. But these last two options won't be available in Canada until cable companies start giving customers cable cards which may never happen.

[Alan Bealby]

Originally Posted by Wayne

(4) ...(soon - once Vista is released) using the ATI OCUR equipped with a cable card with Vista to record cable from your cable co and ...

Not really. Canadian cable companies do not support cable cards now and given no indication of whether they will in future.

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by Alan Bealby

Not really. Canadian cable companies do not support cable cards now and given no indication of whether they will in future.

That is the same with the HD-TiVo although I do believe it can do OTA as well as CableCard. My view is that eventually they will support it as I don't think that they want to be in the STB rental business for the long term, just as they got out of the (analog) cable converter business a while ago.

[57]

Please see the Digital Home FAQ (under help) "Recording HD". Please put your location and service provider in your profile, it'll help us help you in the future. For example, saying you're with Rogers is some help, however, Rogers Ontario uses different equipment (SA) from Rogers Atlantic (Motorola). Rogers Ontario has not activated the firewire outputs on the SA equipment.

The FAQ discusses the fact that you cannot record HD from Component, etc.

[lpgao939]

Originally Posted by 57

Please see the Digital Home FAQ (under help) "Recording HD". Please put your location and service provider in your profile, it'll help us help you in the future. For example, saying you're with Rogers is some help, however, Rogers Ontario uses different equipment (SA) from Rogers Atlantic (Motorola). Rogers Ontario has not activated the firewire outputs on the SA equipment.

The FAQ discusses the fact that you cannot record HD from Component, etc.

I am in Toronto with subscribtion rogers TV and I have HD termonal but wondering how to record HD TV?

[lpgao939]

Originally Posted by Wayne

Recording from component inputs doesn't exist in the home video market - two of the main reasons why not are DRM and the high bandwidth required. HD has six times as much info as SD so you need to encode six times as much data which takes much more processing power.

There are ways to record HD - (1) with a PVR from your cable or satellite that can record HD, (2) using an HTPC to record OTA HD, (3) having a firewire port on your cable/sat box and using your PC to record this signal, (4) (soon - once Vista is released) using the ATI OCUR equipped with a cable card with Vista to record cable from your cable co and (5) (also soon but a matter of a week or two) getting an HD-TiVo with CableCard. But these last two options won't be available in Canada until cable companies start giving customers cable cards which may never happen.

Thanks Guys for your replies, and I learnt lots.

Wayne, Do you know if Rogers PVR has feture to record HD program?

What is HTPC and OTA?

How do you record HD TV on PC? I have TV card on my PC and the card does not accept HD signal.

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by lpgao939

Wayne, Do you know if Rogers PVR has feture to record HD program?

What is HTPC and OTA?

How do you record HD TV on PC? I have TV card on my PC and the card does not accept HD signal.

Rogers sells or rents an HD-PVR - the SA8300HD. There is lots of info on this board about this box.

HTPC= Home Theatre Personal Computer - a personal computer set up to be used in conjunction with your home theatre to view pictures, play music, watch video (and DVDs) and watch TV. The most well known version of this is win XP MCE (Media Center Edition) which will be built into Vista - at least some versions.

OTA is over the air. Digital TV stations are broadcast over the air and, unlike analog OTA, if you can receive the signal you should get a perfect picture. If you live in the Toronto area you can get a bunch of HD OTA stations - espeically CBC, CTV and CITY. You may also get the Buffalo TV stations.

In order to view OTA-HD channels on your HDTV you need a TV that has a built-in ATSC tuner or you need to buy a tuner separately. They can be hard to find in Canada, but Factory Direct sells them for about $150. Or you can buy a HDTV tuner card to put in your PC - I have the Kworld HDTV card. There are versions made by several other companies as well.

With such a card, and some software such as Beyond TV you can record HDTV on your PC.

The downside to OTA is that many channels are unavailable OTA, particularly the ones with good content such as TMN-HD, TSN-HD, Sportsnet-HD, MPIX-HD, etc. You will only get the traditional networks - kind of like TV was in the 1970s.

[lpgao939]

Thanks Wayne again for your quick reply.

I have HDTV but I am not sure if it can receive OTA HDTV.

Can you explain more in deatail about HTPC? Why you need conjuntion with hoem theater if PC already has TV card, 5.1 sound card and 5.1 speakers?

Now often I want to watch my recorded TV program from PC on TV (much bigger screen) so how can I do this?

[Wayne]

Originally Posted by lpgao939

I have HDTV but I am not sure if it can receive OTA HDTV.

Can you explain more in deatail about HTPC? Why you need conjuntion with hoem theater if PC already has TV card, 5.1 sound card and 5.1 speakers?

The reason people use an HTPC in conjunction with the home theater is to display the content that is generally available on your PC on a bigger video screen and with a better quality sound system. Sure you can watch movies on your PC but your screen is probably 19" or smaller and your computer speakers/amplifier are probably not nearly as good as your home theater speakers and amp.

It is unlikely that your TV can receive OTA channels without a tuner. If you are only interested in the main Canadian and US networks then OTA may make sense, but it doesn't make sense if you want premium channels. If you are happy with the basic networks and don't want to pay Rogers for cable then go for it - but it will still cost you $150 for the OTA tuner (see http://www.hdtvexpert.com/pages/samsung2.html)

Now often I want to watch my recorded TV program from PC on TV (much bigger screen) so how can I do this?

Most LCD and plasma TVs have PC inputs (the D shaped plug that is on your PC monitor) as well as DVI inputs. You can plug a computer directly into these ports although you may have to play around with your video card settings. If you have an older HDTV (like my main TV) then there are also video cards that have component output. The lowest common denominator is to have a PC video card that outputs S video but this is rather poor quality.