PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
GaryDoug
Specialist - Level 1

  I don't entirely understand all the fuss about the limited DVR recording space. Sure it's a pain to have only 20 hours HD capacity on one box. And to have a 2-tuner limit so I can only record two channels at a time. And there are some workarounds for that, like Tivo. But Tivo requires a subscription that comes close to the rental for another VZ DVR, so what else can we do? I took a chance and ordered a PC digital tuner card for 50 bucks. Now, that card can only receive the cable OTA channels (ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, WB, ION, PBC.. you know), but I realized that those are about 75% of my recordings. Anyway, once I got it and set it up, I was amazed at the ability to record and play back HD. My PC is an entry level 2-core 4gb Win7 model with an HDMI port, and has no problems recording and playing back. It can hold about 80 hours of HD recording before the 640gb disk is full. The files are very easily transferred, of course,being on a pc.

  I would like to ask about other members' experiences in this area. I use WMC for the software. And the free WMC guide (provided by Verizon I might add) rivals that of most cable services.

  If this topic is off-limits to Verizon, please let me know. But I would like to remind them that some customers may want to cancel their service just because of the limited DVR capacity. This might just keep them on.

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
lasagna
Community Leader
Community Leader

I wouldn't see why Verizon would take issue with discussing it.   It's about using the clear-QAM delivered channels on the FiOS TV network you get when you subscribe to FiOS-TV to record shows in a manner that's legally recognized as legal for personal use.   Now, if you were discussing how to break the STB encryption or rebroadcast/share content in violation of the broadcasters rights or about setting this up without somehow involving a Verizon supplied service (FioS TV in this case), that would be different.

Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
GaryDoug
Specialist - Level 1

I'm talking about the possibility of taking away DVR rental income. I'm not about to tackle anything as tricky as descrambling or decoding. I mean I am suggesting an alternative to the verizon equipment as opposed to the possible loss of customers entirely. For 50 bucks I have an extra 1/2 DRV. And it's a one-time cost.

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
spacedebris
Master - Level 2

I dont think they will have issues, especially since this is a peer-to-peer forum. Besides they dont remove the Verizon bashing posts which will cost more customers than this one will. Besides this will not cost them many customers. Most want to be able to record the "cable channels" and this will not work for that. Plus this also requires you to be at least reasonably computer literate to set up and you would get no support from Verizon. So only "advanced" users will likely defect and loose the verizon DVR.

I'm getting ready to build a new computer (should have the money together by christmas... Hopefully Smiley Wink   )

and I'm going to try that Ceton CC adaptor. Then I just need a CC from Verizon and build my own 4 tuner DVR. There have been other discussions on it earlier. But this is a lot more money that what you are talking about. The ceton is $400+. Still cheaper than the TIVO option but a lot more than what you are taking about. I'd like to hear from others that have tried it to see what experiance they are having too.

Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
lasagna
Community Leader
Community Leader

Hey ... we talk about Tivo all the time.  This is just another form of Tivo.

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

@spacedebris wrote:

I'm getting ready to build a new computer (should have the money together by christmas... Hopefully Smiley Wink   )

and I'm going to try that Ceton CC adaptor. Then I just need a CC from Verizon and build my own 4 tuner DVR. There have been other discussions on it earlier. But this is a lot more money that what you are talking about. The ceton is $400+. Still cheaper than the TIVO option but a lot more than what you are taking about. I'd like to hear from others that have tried it to see what experiance they are having too.


I wish I could tell you how my Ceton setup is working, but I waited (foolishly) to order on 9/1/10. I wanted to see some "real world" reviews. I may be lucky to get it by Christmas. Gives me some time to get ready for that surpirse $400 charge.

But, I was lucky in that I had a PC in the kid's room, just sitting there that was ready to go with some minor tweaks (HDCP Compliant Video Card, and a 2 TB WD Green HD).The kid has since gone away to college, so his room becomes my play room with my wife's approval.

The computer is about 3 years old, but should work fine. It was an SLI-ready motherboard, so I have a free x1 and x16 slot for the Ceton. I may put it in the x16, since there isn't anything around it. 

You are going to need a Low Pass Filter. Apparently, the Ceton doesn't play well with MoCA enabled networks. Ceton has a link on their site for one (which was $10, but last I checked was $17.99), but any LPF that matches those specs will work just fine.

EDIT - One other thing, I do hope that Verizon allows Windows 7 Media Center users to access IPTV channels once those start rolling out.

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
GaryDoug
Specialist - Level 1

I'm sure you must have read this review, but here it is anyway for those who haven't:

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/03/30/ceton-infinitv-4-cablecard-tuner-review/

The interesting thing for us is that it was tested on the Verizon Fios system (notice the Temple Terrace (Tampa)) location on the screen shot?)

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
prisaz
Legend

@Carl wrote:

@spacedebris wrote:

I'm getting ready to build a new computer (should have the money together by christmas... Hopefully Smiley Wink   )

and I'm going to try that Ceton CC adaptor. Then I just need a CC from Verizon and build my own 4 tuner DVR. There have been other discussions on it earlier. But this is a lot more money that what you are talking about. The ceton is $400+. Still cheaper than the TIVO option but a lot more than what you are taking about. I'd like to hear from others that have tried it to see what experiance they are having too.


I wish I could tell you how my Ceton setup is working, but I waited (foolishly) to order on 9/1/10. I wanted to see some "real world" reviews. I may be lucky to get it by Christmas. Gives me some time to get ready for that surpirse $400 charge.

But, I was lucky in that I had a PC in the kid's room, just sitting there that was ready to go with some minor tweaks (HDCP Compliant Video Card, and a 2 TB WD Green HD).The kid has since gone away to college, so his room becomes my play room with my wife's approval.

The computer is about 3 years old, but should work fine. It was an SLI-ready motherboard, so I have a free x1 and x16 slot for the Ceton. I may put it in the x16, since there isn't anything around it. 

You are going to need a Low Pass Filter. Apparently, the Ceton doesn't play well with MoCA enabled networks. Ceton has a link on their site for one (which was $10, but last I checked was $17.99), but any LPF that matches those specs will work just fine.

EDIT - One other thing, I do hope that Verizon allows Windows 7 Media Center users to access IPTV channels once those start rolling out.


Carl

They come back, so don't make to many changes to that room. My daughter now has the larger bedroom, and my older son now has the smaller room. My office is still in the walk in closet size room I made in the basement 15 years ago right before my daughter was born. Sorry didn't mean to rain on your parade. But let us know how the Ceton card works out if you get it.

Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
Carl
Specialist - Level 1

prisaz wrote

Carl

They come back, so don't make to many changes to that room. My daughter now has the larger bedroom, and my older son now has the smaller room. My office is still in the walk in closet size room I made in the basement 15 years ago right before my daughter was born. Sorry didn't mean to rain on your parade. But let us know how the Ceton card works out if you get it.


Thanks a lot.. Have any more wet blankets to throw on me???? Smiley Wink

I don't intend to do much to the room, just repalce the TV and use the old PC as the HTPC. All of the other changes are going to be minimal in nature, as I fully expect him to move back when he graduates in May. We also need the room for friends when they visit, so the bed stays.

Oh yeah, I will be posting about my FiOS/Ceton experience once it comes true. (At the outset, it looks like the best of all worlds, but we shall see.)

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Re: PVR PC tuner card discussions ok here?
prisaz
Legend

I love my Tivo, and may be loving it for a while longer.