input card?? (1 Viewer)

[JimG]

I’m new to MediaPortal. I’m trying to configure a HTPC. I think I may have posted in the wrong (General support) forum because there haven’t been any responses about input cards there, so let me try here.

I’m in the US. I have a Verizon Fios TV STB now. I would like to import the digital TV from the STB into a HTPC so I can record, save and then play back HDTV programs while skipping the commercials. To make this work, I believe I need to find a "TV input" card for the HTPC.

My problem is how do I get the TV video signal/data into the HTPC to record it? I have been told that I don’t want an “analog” TV card to record 1080i HDTV programs because the image quality would be degraded. I’d also like to be able to record 2 programs, or watch 1 while I record another. Is there any TV input card that can do this? Recommendations appreciated.

 

[SiLenTYL]

any hardware encoder tv tuner card can be made to work with MP

im not sure of any such non tv cards as i dont have one...ur prolly looking for a card with DVI or HDMI input? im not sure there are any...if so..it would certainly be interesting

 

[JimG]

Yes, I would really like an input card with HDMI (a digital signal) input. If the original signal is digital, converting to analog is a very bad idea.

 

[Jay_UK]

Hi there,

Make sure you are not dealing with HDCP content - if you are, you won't be able to use a HDMI input card.

J.

 

[JimG]

Yes, I suspect the data has HDCP. But there is a Windows device driver available for WinXP (and Vista and Win7 too) that does the handshaking so you can receive the HDMI data into your HTPC.

But I just need to find an input card with a 1080i or 1080p digital input. Anyone know of any cards like this?