Hi All,
I am trying to work out the parts list and connections for a new Myth TV computer that will be used to record from Comcast Cable. The WinTV-PVR-250 could be used to tune the channels and and record/view channels up through about 99 (the "standard" cable channels) - but above 99 the channles are digital. However, currently I send the composite L/R/Video out of the Comcast/Motorola DCT-2500 set top box into a VCR - and I was wondering if I could do the same thing with the WinTV-PVR-250. That is, can I run the composite outs from the cable set top box into the WinTV-PVR-250 as well as run a regular coax cable tv cable into the WinTV-PVR-250. I'd need to tell Myth to either record to a tuned channel - or if I wanted to record a digital channel I can set up the DCT-2500 to tune a particular channel at a certain time and then tell the WinTV-PVR-250 to record from the composite line in at that time.

Does this make sense or is there an easier way to go about this?

Any advice most apprec.

Thanks,


Kevin

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- SN25P/Athlon64X2 4800+/CORSAIR System Select 2GB/
- (2) WD Caviar SE16 320GB SATA 3.0G (XP/SUSE Linux)/LITE-ON 16X DVD/
- eVGA Geforce 7900GT CO/(2) ViewSonic VP930b

Yes that makes sense and is possible. You need to create two video sources (channel listings) with analogue in one and digital in the other, then associate the correct source with the correct card input. However its going to be a whole lot easier for you if you investigate using an IR blaster or maybe serial/firewire to change channel for you on the set top box. That way Myth can change the channel on the DCT-2500 for you.

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HP VL400 (PIII 866), Skystar2 2.6D, PVR350, Nvidia FX5200, 384MB, 200GB, KnoppMyth R5.5

So many options to choose from... I thought about that. If I used an IR blaster then I could just run the composite lines out of the set top box and into the Myth box. Essentially, this is the way I have my VCR setup now and I could just have Myth take the place of the VCR. Is that an easy setup to get working - and would you still use something like the WinTV-PVR-250 in this setup? You don't actually need a TV tuner in this setup... Is there any advantage to using the 350?

What is the absolute easiest IR blaster to get working?

I have also thought about firewire. But that would require me somehow getting comcast to give me a newer set top box as the one that I currently have now does not do firewire. I've read through a firewire setup article - it looks a little more involved to get working...

Kevin

_________________
- SN25P/Athlon64X2 4800+/CORSAIR System Select 2GB/
- (2) WD Caviar SE16 320GB SATA 3.0G (XP/SUSE Linux)/LITE-ON 16X DVD/
- eVGA Geforce 7900GT CO/(2) ViewSonic VP930b

Have the two different inputs would allow you to use the tuner to record/watch analogue and still watch digital direct from the DCT2500 if you needed to. In any case you still need a digital capture card even if you don't need the tuner, so yes, you still need a PVR250 or similar.

The 350 is effectively just a 250 with an added TVout (inc hardware decoder). You either need this or an nvidia card with a tvout. See http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=PickingComponents

I don't know enough about the IR blaster options to make any recommendations

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HP VL400 (PIII 866), Skystar2 2.6D, PVR350, Nvidia FX5200, 384MB, 200GB, KnoppMyth R5.5