Thread: How to record from my satellite to my laptop?

i have been looking at these
Hauppauge Computer Works : WinTV-HVR products
AVerMedia MPD Global - AVerTV TV Tuners and Multimedia Products - USB

but i don't know enough about TV signals or computers to know if it would work.

what i am trying to do is essentially use it as a PVR for my satellite, so split the coax that goes to the TV from the sat and have it go to my computer also. that way i can record my motorcycle races that speed puts on at 3 am. my laptop is a Dell Inspiron 6400 with 1gig of ram, not sure the processor speed.

any help would be greatly appreciated, thank you

WES

You should seriously consider this one: products/hdhomerun_atsc - Silicondust

It's VERY different from the ones you listed. The vast majority of TV tuner accessories on the market are VERY flakey and unreliable, even with "known" brands like hauppauge.

The HDhomerun is probably the most stable TV tuner on the market, and I've got one on my wishlist for an HTPC.

They're also different in how they work. The hdhomerun plugs into your home network, instead of directly into your computer. From there, every computer on your network can access it.

The only downside (possible downside) is that it can only tune digital signals. That's not much of a problem in most places, but some cheap cable companies may still broadcast in analog, or you may be using a cable box that only outputs analog. They have a pretty cool compatability list on their website that lists what channels you can get if anyone in your area already has an HDhomerun.

I just noticed you're in Canada. In the US, we've already moved all broadcasts to ATSC, but up there, I don't believe your broadcasts will be all ATSC until August, 2011.

If you're using an antenna, the hdhomerun won't work for you. If you're using any type of cable, just call your cable co and ask them if they broadcast in NTSC, ATSC. If it's NTSC, you're stuck with something like the ones you listed, which will work 'most' of the time. If it's ATSC or both, you can use the hdhomerun.

i am only using my bell expressview satellite reciever which should be a digital signal right?

the parts that i am not sure are are these:

• ATSC over-the-air digital TV.
• Unencrypted digital cable.

basically i just want to be able to record exactly what i am watching on the tv (again i a=only have satellite), onto my laptop so i can watch it later.

thanks
Wes

i will also admit that i was looking for something under $100. i know i shouldn't cheap out on things but this is more of a luxury item that i don't NEED persay. but i certainly do WANT

in the past, I've had good luck with happauge products. I have an 8 year old happauge cap-card that still works great.

Originally Posted by jockeys

in the past, I've had good luck with happauge products. I have an 8 year old happauge cap-card that still works great.

ya from all the reviews i have been reading on Amazon it seems like they are the most consistent most reviews are good.

my problem now is that my computer is about 5 years old now and running XP. its really hard to tell if i will get decent recordings using a computer this old as many have complained about the audio and video being out of sync. my laptop just has the built in graphics card also which might limit what i can do.

its funny cuz all the reviews talk about the tuning reception and what its like, but i don't give a crap about that i just want to go straight to my satellite and record stuff. if i wasn't using a laptop i am guessing things would be a lot easier.