[BlaqueNite0007]

This is a lengthy post. Please help. After spending many hours doing research, which was not enough, I went ahead and bought the Hauppauge 2250, when I should have sprung for the Ceton Infinitv. I have become very frustrated when I found out what it can't do. I have decided to quit complaining and try to use it to the best of my ability.

I have Windows 7 Premium 64 bit
Comcast Cable from Arlington Virginia (next to DC)
Before each setup attempt I updated all windows update / program guide updates / etc.

With the cable box:
I have tried to set it up using the cable box. I do get all the channels I have just using my STB, but the picture is so so at best, but I now understand HD becomes standard when hooked up this way. The main problem is that using Windows Media Center, when setting up the IR blaster, the STB remote codes were recognized automatically by WMC. However, the Windows Remote would not change the channel on the STB through the IR blaster. I have tried repositioning the blaster over the STB IR sensor 500 times. I later even had the remote codes recognized again manually. No luck. There is an IR input in the back of the STB but there were no instructions to hook it up this way and the IR jacks I have are too small to fit anyway. In conclusion: bad picture, no remote, and guide won't work if it won't change STB channel.

The other concerns I have using this set up: I hate having the STB in my media display. Even if I do get the remote working, can I still record watch 2 channels at once? Can I still use the WMC program guide?

Without the cable box:
A good majority of my channels are encrypted. I know that alot are just going to have to be this way, but it really only seems like I get the OTA channels. How can I tell if I'm receiving all the possible unencrypted QAM channels. I did perform a scan 2 or 3 times for "Digital cable (Clear QAM) Arlington, Comcast (Digital) (1 Tuner), Analog Cable Arlington, Comcast (2 Tuners)". When scanning for additional channels it finds 34. I then check mark every channel in the edit channels section that doesn't have a lock on it. I get 120 channels total this way. Most of the ones I do get don't have any channel info. Many are black with no picture. Some are scrambled or choppy, some say they are encrypted even though I didn't check any box with a lock on it. Most are public access. I probably get a total of 70 channels that come through including repeats that are not just the Hd channels. I get 400+ with the cable box. Is there an unencrypted channel list I can find somewhere for my cable provider and area? How many channels should I be getting using this setup method? I see the options to add channels in the guide menu, but I don't know what to add. Are there any ways around the encrypted channels? (I think I already know that answer.) In conclusion: great picture, love the guide, for the channels it does give info for, very few channels.

With WinTV 7:
When I scan for WinTV, it says I have 76 Analog channels and 71 Clear QAM channels. (I don't know if any of these are doubles) I have read that using wintv with a cable box is not an option. Is this true? I have also read that you can't get QAM through WMC. I thought all the posts I was reading might be pre-dating WMC on Windows 7. Is that true? Can I potentially get more channels with WInTv 7? I tried, but was frustrated with the Titan programing guide allowed me to download tvpi files but wouldn't open them with WinTV. No error message or anything. Nothing happens when I try to open them. I followed the directions here http://hauppauge.lig...als/titantv.pdf and tried Broadcast, cable, and digital cable. No luck. I also don't know if titan accurately tells me what channels I have. In conclusion: great picture, no guide, only slightly more channels than WMC, would rather use WMC.

Please help me with all or any of these problems you might be able to help me with. Your time and help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!

~ Chris

[Rommel]

Hi Chris,

I have the exact model you bought.
Currently its sitting on my printer waiting for me to install it in my new MC PC.

It was for quite some time in use in my main PC.

I thought it was a rip-off that the software for winTV have to be purchased sepporitly but if you need to connect to a VCR like I did, you had to buy it.
Anyway, I scanned as you did plus anolog with VCR on.
The picture quality blew me away through cable.
Just connected to the cable, no box.
You can use both WMC and winTV but to run them at the sametime, if that is your question, I don't know.
I did rerord on channel and watch another no problem.
Scheduled recordings of survivor at the same time with WMC and winTV, no problem.
So I guess if you can do that, any two channels will work.
WMC is easier for recording and it has a, record entire series, icon that I didn't see in winTV.
Both save in a format that I can't seem to convert into something I can save to DVD.
One of them, can't recall which did convert, then canvert again to finaly be recognised, but lost so much quality it wasn't worth.

Never attempted the blaster.

I was planning on installing it tonight so if I do and have something that may help, I'll post it.

Rommel

[Rommel]

I did install my 2250.
Installed the win driver then WMC.

It can record two digital channels at the same time.

It only found 24 channels digital qam.
Low number.

It says encrypted channels are auto not selected so I guess thats why.

Didn't install win software, heading to early sleep.

I didn't buy the blaster version as you did so I have no experiance with it.

As for your question about double channels with winTV, yes.

I remember deleting some repeats out when I originally installed the software.
Thats because I checked everything in its channel search option.

Tomorrow I'll install the winTV software.
I should try and configure channels through the box like you did.
When I move this over to the TV for permanet use I will.

Rommel

[LincolnSpector]

I long ago came to the conclusion that if you need a set-top box, the only practical way to record programs is with the DVR supplied by your cable or satellite provider. Anything else, including anything involving an IR Blaster, is an invitation to headaches. A PC with a card like the Hauppauge 2250 only makes sense if you're using basic cable or over-the-air broadcasting.

Lincoln

[Rommel]

LincolnSpector, on 13 April 2011 - 07:38 AM, said:

I long ago came to the conclusion that if you need a set-top box, the only practical way to record programs is with the DVR supplied by your cable or satellite provider. Anything else, including anything involving an IR Blaster, is an invitation to headaches. A PC with a card like the Hauppauge 2250 only makes sense if you're using basic cable or over-the-air broadcasting.

Lincoln

I can't relate to the blaster but using WMC and fios, even comcast, by-passing the box, ( never tried connected to the box ) I find recordings top quality and a breeze.
The WMC offers 1 click record series option. The wintv requires each listing manualy put in.
What format does the DVR offer?
WMC and wintv are strange unburnable formats. At least the last time I looked for something to deal with it.

My complaint is some channels without the box are encypted and are not available.
Does the box encrypt or decrypt?

Sorry, not trying to hi-jack your thread.

Rommel

[smax013]

BlaqueNite0007, on 12 April 2011 - 10:40 AM, said:

This is a lengthy post. Please help. After spending many hours doing research, which was not enough, I went ahead and bought the Hauppauge 2250, when I should have sprung for the Ceton Infinitv. I have become very frustrated when I found out what it can't do. I have decided to quit complaining and try to use it to the best of my ability.

I have Windows 7 Premium 64 bit
Comcast Cable from Arlington Virginia (next to DC)
Before each setup attempt I updated all windows update / program guide updates / etc.

With the cable box:
I have tried to set it up using the cable box. I do get all the channels I have just using my STB, but the picture is so so at best, but I now understand HD becomes standard when hooked up this way. The main problem is that using Windows Media Center, when setting up the IR blaster, the STB remote codes were recognized automatically by WMC. However, the Windows Remote would not change the channel on the STB through the IR blaster. I have tried repositioning the blaster over the STB IR sensor 500 times. I later even had the remote codes recognized again manually. No luck. There is an IR input in the back of the STB but there were no instructions to hook it up this way and the IR jacks I have are too small to fit anyway. In conclusion: bad picture, no remote, and guide won't work if it won't change STB channel.

The other concerns I have using this set up: I hate having the STB in my media display. Even if I do get the remote working, can I still record watch 2 channels at once? Can I still use the WMC program guide?

No, you will NOT be able to watch one active channel and record another nor will you be able to record two channels at once. With the cable box hooked up, you are using the tuner in the cable box, not the one in the Hauppage card. The Hauppage card is just being used as a "dumb" video in and audio in device. The tuner in the card is just kind of sitting there and "picking it's nose" so to speak.

You should be able to use the WMC program guide. That is where the IR blaster will come into play. It should allow the computer to "control" the cable box.

As for getting the IR blaster to work, what cable box brand and model do you have? Do you have the "typical" Comcast remote? http://www.comcast.c...rt/remotes.html

Just to confirm, you are plugging the IR blaster into the port on Hauppage card, correct? And then placing the other end of the IR blaster in front of the IR port on the cable box, correct? You mentioned about trying to plug the IR blaster into the cable box...there should be nothing to plug into the cable box.

And, yes, this method will "down scale" your HD channels and otherwise have a lower quality picture. Keep in mind that you are connecting through rather "low quality" analog connections...i.e. either composite video (the yellow RCA jack) or slightly better an S-video method. First, both connections are analog rather than digital. Second, both are "standard definition" connections. Thus, you are basically getting an analog 480i signal input for video on the computer. Think pre-HDTV...aka old analog tube TV.

Thus, the downside of this method is that you will NOT be able to watch and/or record anything in HD. You will be able to record HD programs, but they will be recorded in SD. And you lose the benefit of the two tuner in your card.

Quote

Without the cable box:
A good majority of my channels are encrypted. I know that alot are just going to have to be this way, but it really only seems like I get the OTA channels. How can I tell if I'm receiving all the possible unencrypted QAM channels. I did perform a scan 2 or 3 times for "Digital cable (Clear QAM) Arlington, Comcast (Digital) (1 Tuner), Analog Cable Arlington, Comcast (2 Tuners)". When scanning for additional channels it finds 34. I then check mark every channel in the edit channels section that doesn't have a lock on it. I get 120 channels total this way. Most of the ones I do get don't have any channel info. Many are black with no picture. Some are scrambled or choppy, some say they are encrypted even though I didn't check any box with a lock on it. Most are public access. I probably get a total of 70 channels that come through including repeats that are not just the Hd channels. I get 400+ with the cable box. Is there an unencrypted channel list I can find somewhere for my cable provider and area? How many channels should I be getting using this setup method? I see the options to add channels in the guide menu, but I don't know what to add. Are there any ways around the encrypted channels? (I think I already know that answer.) In conclusion: great picture, love the guide, for the channels it does give info for, very few channels.

You will generally only get "public access" and local network stations (i.e. ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, maybe CW, PBS). You will generally NOT get any "cable stations" (i.e. Fox News, ESPN, CNN, USA, TNT, SyFy, TBS, etc). There is a chance you will get some "cable stations" if Comcast has not fully converted everything in your area over to digital (although at this point, that is highly unlikely).

This process will typically get you a bunch of "crap" along with good, clear channels. When I do a similar scan with a raw cable feed on my HDTV, I get a bunch of channels that I then need to manually remove.

As to finding a list of channels, you best option might be to call Comcast. I don't really hold too much hope out for that, however. More than likely, you are going to just have to scan through what you have and assume you are getting everything. If you call Comcast, try the approach of telling them "I want to hook up my TV without a cable box and what to know what stations I can get".

The advantage of this method is that you should be able to get the major networks (ABC, NBC, Fox, CBS, and PBS) in HD and record them in HD...and with dual tuners, you should be able to record two shows or watch one show while recording one show. The obvious downside is that you will NOT get a crap load of the channels that you are paying for.

Note: I am not sure how the TV guide for WMC will handle this. Comcast tends to put some channels on weird channels number for their "raw" feed (i.e. the HD channel for CBS might not match up for the "raw" feed when compared to what the channel is on the cable box). Thus, it will depend on what choice you select for the TV guide...and whether it can handle this situation.

Quote

With WinTV 7:
When I scan for WinTV, it says I have 76 Analog channels and 71 Clear QAM channels. (I don't know if any of these are doubles) I have read that using wintv with a cable box is not an option. Is this true? I have also read that you can't get QAM through WMC. I thought all the posts I was reading might be pre-dating WMC on Windows 7. Is that true? Can I potentially get more channels with WInTv 7? I tried, but was frustrated with the Titan programing guide allowed me to download tvpi files but wouldn't open them with WinTV. No error message or anything. Nothing happens when I try to open them. I followed the directions here http://hauppauge.lig...als/titantv.pdf and tried Broadcast, cable, and digital cable. No luck. I also don't know if titan accurately tells me what channels I have. In conclusion: great picture, no guide, only slightly more channels than WMC, would rather use WMC.

Please help me with all or any of these problems you might be able to help me with. Your time and help is greatly appreciated.
Thank You!

~ Chris

I have no experience with WinTV, so I am no help here.

In general, as you are kind of realizing, using a "typical" tuner card presents you will a problem...you either have to hook it up to a cable box while using an IR blaster, which will get you all your channels, but only allow recording/watching of one channel and everything will be in SD, OR you can hook it up with a "raw" cable feed, which will allow you to make use of your dual tuners and get you HD, but a MUCH, MUCH reduced channel line up. That is the joy of today's digital cable.

The one potential solution is to get a CableCARD based tuner card, such as the one that Ceton offers. If you get such a tuner card that supports more than one CableCARD (as the Ceton does), then you will be able to record/watch more than on channel (up to 4 with the Ceton). This method will get you ALL your channels, except On Demand and Pay Per View typically (CableCARD are still a "one way" connection and things like On Demand and Pay Per View require "two way" connections). And you should the HD stations in actual HD. The downsides of this approach are: 1) the Ceton card is tough to find (I believe the wait for one is rather long)...and it is rather expensive (like $400 or so if I recall correctly); 2) If you want to record more than one station, then you will have to rent multiple CableCARD...Comcast might give you one with your cable package, assuming you do NOT also have a cable box, but they will not "give" you more than one with out sucking more money from your wallet; 3) you cannot use On Demand or Pay Per View; 4) it is also possible that getting and setting up a CableCARD in your area might be a real pain...Comcast in your area may or may not be too familiar with them.

In the end, I am pretty much of the same mind as Lincoln...it is typically easier to just rent the DVR from Comcast...which is what I do. They, of course, nick you for the two rental fees, but in reality it is not as bad as it seems...after all, with a Ceton, you would be paying at least one rental fee for one CableCARD (if you wanted to match the ability of Comcast's DVRs to record two channels) PLUS then paying the $400 or so for the Ceton card itself. That $400 amounts to at least a couple years of DVR rental fees. Of course, the advantages of the Ceton option would be 1) MUCH more recording space compared to Comcast's DVRs (I am constantly running out of room, but then I am a TVaholic) and 2) you could record 4 channels.

This post has been edited by smax013: 13 April 2011 - 02:06 PM

[LincolnSpector]

Rommel, on 13 April 2011 - 10:05 AM, said:

My complaint is some channels without the box are encypted and are not available.
Does the box encrypt or decrypt?

It decrypts.


It sounds like you're using WMC to get the basic cable channels--the ones that aren't encrypted. That works. The encrypted ones are the problem.

Lincoln