PVR question - can it replace a Cable Box - Comcast - DISH - etc?

J

Jamin43

banned
The book I'm reading talks about PVR's to use your PC as a DVR to watch - and record television.

I get that it can pick up standard cable - similar to watching TV through a VCR - but with all the Premium Channels - High Def television - upper 100 channels being used - can a PVR be used as a realistic substitute for a cable box of a Comcast - or Dishnetwork?

Thanks
 
With cable services in the US, the only way you can get digital channels is either with a ClearQAM capable tuner or a Cable Card certified system. In most markets, ClearQAM is very limited. To be able to remove your Cable tuner completely you would need a Cable Card tuner. The only way you can currently purchase those is from certified vendors. Good luck getting a stand alone card. You will most likely have to purchase a complete HTPC system.

DirectTV is flirting with a PC tuner, but it is not available on the market yet. For satellite television you will need a dedicated tuner from your provider.

In either case - Cable or Satellite - you can use the provider's tuner connected to a video capture card. Quite a few video input/tuner cards and their PVR software (and third party commercial or open source PVR software) support controlling your external tuner with IR blasters.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top