DVR question

[Godot showed up]

I sort of think this thread was what I'm interested in but I'm not sure:


http://www.conservativecave.com/index.php/topic,50436.0.html



What I was thinking of doing was buying a small netbook computer and having that as the dedicated Internet connection for 47-inch tv, that is, connected to it by an HDMI cable (with the netbook getting the WiFi from the router). BUT, I want to DVR directly off the set-top box, WITHOUT using a subscription service. That means I need an HDMI input card on the netbook. I was thinking of this card:

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=5523203&SRCCODE=BIZRATE&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB5ObkkzCjCVqHCjCdwwp&cpncode=18-75723031-2

but I see it has the dreaded word "analog" before vid capture, so I guess this means it's useless with my digital cable service? And the other question this idea raises, is a small netbook even big enough to accommodate such a card? It just seemed like a nice, neat idea---a little netbook with an HDMI input, thus combining Internet and DVR in one with NO subscription.



It seems that we get closer and closer to something with an HDMI input that can record off a digital set-top box but never get quite there. Maybe you guys already know the solution.

[Thor]

That card would work with a desktop PC. You might look at this one for a laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100054&cm_re=video_capture_card-_-15-100-054-_-Product  (BTW, Newegg has the same desktop card for a few bucks less)

I have my Desktop hooked up to the TV to watch movies. If I ever get a decent wireless keyboard & mouse, I could surf the net, using my TV as the monitor. I only have extended basic cable, so I wouldn't have much use for a DVR or that kind of setup. There would be times that it'd be "handy", but I just wait for the reruns or watch it from the provider or Hulu.

[Godot showed up]

That card would work with a desktop PC. You might look at this one for a laptop: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100054&cm_re=video_capture_card-_-15-100-054-_-Product  (BTW, Newegg has the same desktop card for a few bucks less)

I have my Desktop hooked up to the TV to watch movies. If I ever get a decent wireless keyboard & mouse, I could surf the net, using my TV as the monitor. I only have extended basic cable, so I wouldn't have much use for a DVR or that kind of setup. There would be times that it'd be "handy", but I just wait for the reruns or watch it from the provider or Hulu.

Well, yes, PC to tv is no problem, it's the DVR aspect that's the trick.  I know for you it's no biggie, but often I want to record Tennis Channel or even other programs. Thanks for the tip on a laptop card--but I'm looking at it and see it has only component ports in, no HDMI...shoot.


'Bout your keyboard/mouse problem--that really is not a problem. Why not get a wireless keyboard and mouse? Not expensive. I do just that--use the Internet on my tv from my regular laptop--via VGA connection, but of course the sound is still from the laptop.


I just don't want another monthly bill (for DVRing). I was considering the Archos 7, but that records only in SD and, even worse, outputs only in 4:3 aspect ratio.

[Thor]

LOL, I already have a wireless keyboard & mouse. Most that I'm finding that are cheap only have a range of 6 ft. Mine is right there. The more expensive ones ($80+) have the bluetooth connection with a range of 33 ft. (I've found a couple in the ($50+ price range, but I don't like the layout or the functions) Since I have everything run through a KVM switch, that even makes it more problematic. I'd have to buy a new KVM switch (probably a USB type vs a ps2 type), plus cables for each system and even then, I'm not sure the keyboard or mouse would work properly.

Component video is as good as HDMI. MOST units have a component video out, but I can't say for sure about yours. BTW, that appears to be an adapter for an HDMI cable w/ sound. I could be wrong.

[Godot showed up]

LOL, I already have a wireless keyboard & mouse. Most that I'm finding that are cheap only have a range of 6 ft. Mine is right there. The more expensive ones ($80+) have the bluetooth connection with a range of 33 ft. (I've found a couple in the ($50+ price range, but I don't like the layout or the functions) Since I have everything run through a KVM switch, that even makes it more problematic. I'd have to buy a new KVM switch (probably a USB type vs a ps2 type), plus cables for each system and even then, I'm not sure the keyboard or mouse would work properly.

Component video is as good as HDMI. MOST units have a component video out, but I can't say for sure about yours. BTW, that appears to be an adapter for an HDMI cable w/ sound. I could be wrong.

Man, I don't even know what a KVM switch is!

My current laptop is 5-years-old and I wasn't thinking of using it for this purpose--it doesn't even have HDMI out. I would get a netbook and dedicate it to the tv, or try some other solution, but I really do want to do HDMI in and HDMI out.


By the last, do you mean the card you suggested? What adapter?

[Thor]

Man, I don't even know what a KVM switch is!

My current laptop is 5-years-old and I wasn't thinking of using it for this purpose--it doesn't even have HDMI out. I would get a netbook and dedicate it to the tv, or try some other solution, but I really do want to do HDMI in and HDMI out.


By the last, do you mean the card you suggested? What adapter?

Keyboard, Video & Mouse switch. It allows for the use of one monitor, one keyboard & one mouse on several different systems.

If you got a netbook to dedicate to the TV, you'd also have to have a USB Storage device.  Everything I've seen uses a desktop vs a notebook of some sort to get the HDMI in and out.

[LC EFA]

Friend of mine built a media PC not so long ago.

It uses an PCI card to receive the digital / analogue (until it gets shut down shortly) signals from the antenna and the software allows one to record directly to the HDD.

Video output to TV via VGA because of cheaparseery and audio via digital coax to a 5.1 amp and speakers.

I'm eventually going to build a similar machine from my old desktop,only difference is that the video card in the desktop has HDMI out, and I'm going to use the component 7.1 audio in lieu of the digital coax.