Watching and recording videos from satellite TV services?

[Ant]

Hello.

I have a newbie question. What does computers use for satellite TV
service (DirecTV and Dish in United States/U.S.) as receivers to act as
recorders and players? I know that cable TV requires CableCards with
computers and over the air (OTA) require TV tuners (using two right now).

Thank you in advance. :)
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[crkeehn]

"Ant" <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote in message
news:buidnWFgkogNhMvS...@earthlink.com...

They use the satellite receiver, feeding a video capture card

[Ant]

On 3/7/2012 3:30 AM PT, crkeehn typed:

>> I have a newbie question. What does computers use for satellite TV service
>> (DirecTV and Dish in United States/U.S.) as receivers to act as recorders
>> and players? I know that cable TV requires CableCards with computers and
>> over the air (OTA) require TV tuners (using two right now).
>

> They use the satellite receiver, feeding a video capture card

Ah so I will have to buy a satellite receiver and video capture card?
That sucks. I was hoping there was a satellite receiver card or
something. :(
--
"Ever watch ants just crawling around? They walk in that single straight
line, a long, a long, long mile of ants. Sometimes they will walk over
and pick up their dead friends and carry those around. I'm pretty sure
it's because they can get in the carpool lane and pass up that line."
--Ellen DeGeneres

[Warren Oates]

In article <cICdnXSHoMbAqMXS...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> On 3/7/2012 3:30 AM PT, crkeehn typed:
>
> >> I have a newbie question. What does computers use for satellite TV service
> >> (DirecTV and Dish in United States/U.S.) as receivers to act as recorders
> >> and players? I know that cable TV requires CableCards with computers and
> >> over the air (OTA) require TV tuners (using two right now).
> >
> > They use the satellite receiver, feeding a video capture card
>
> Ah so I will have to buy a satellite receiver and video capture card?
> That sucks. I was hoping there was a satellite receiver card or
> something. :(

You need a satellite receiver because you're paying the satellite
company for (encrypted) service, and so far no company that I'm aware of
sells a computer card receiver. Once you've got that, then you can get a
capture card for your computer:

<http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
No=5523203&CatId=3493>

<http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
No=9152&sku=H56-2606>

For OTA (or "clear" cable) digital, you can get a cheap USB thing from
Hauppage.

On the other hand, _all_ the satellite companies sell PVR receivers.
--

... do not cover a warm kettle or your stock may sour. -- Julia Child

[Ant]

On 3/8/2012 5:41 AM PT, Warren Oates typed:

>> Ah so I will have to buy a satellite receiver and video capture card?
>> That sucks. I was hoping there was a satellite receiver card or
>> something. :(
>
> You need a satellite receiver because you're paying the satellite
> company for (encrypted) service, and so far no company that I'm aware of
> sells a computer card receiver. Once you've got that, then you can get a
> capture card for your computer:
>
> <http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
> No=5523203&CatId=3493>
>
> <http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
> No=9152&sku=H56-2606>
>
> For OTA (or "clear" cable) digital, you can get a cheap USB thing from
> Hauppage.

Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
"clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/

> On the other hand, _all_ the satellite companies sell PVR receivers.

Yeah, but not for computers which I want to do.
--
"I used to command a battalion of German ants." --Tom

[Char Jackson]

On Thu, 08 Mar 2012 06:20:35 -0800, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/8/2012 5:41 AM PT, Warren Oates typed:
>
>>> Ah so I will have to buy a satellite receiver and video capture card?
>>> That sucks. I was hoping there was a satellite receiver card or
>>> something. :(
>>
>> You need a satellite receiver because you're paying the satellite
>> company for (encrypted) service, and so far no company that I'm aware of
>> sells a computer card receiver. Once you've got that, then you can get a
>> capture card for your computer:
>>
>> <http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
>> No=5523203&CatId=3493>
>>
>> <http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?Edp
>> No=9152&sku=H56-2606>
>>
>> For OTA (or "clear" cable) digital, you can get a cheap USB thing from
>> Hauppage.
>
>Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
>"clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
>Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/

Clear cable = clear QAM = unencrypted cable channels that can be tuned
with any QAM tuner. New TV's typically have a QAM tuner these days.
Standalone devices like the Ceton or Silicondust products also come
with QAM tuner(s).

>> On the other hand, _all_ the satellite companies sell PVR receivers.
>
>Yeah, but not for computers which I want to do.

You've done a 180 then? Till now you were opposed to anything
involving a computer.

[Warren Oates]

In article <PdqdneIxS7evXcXS...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
> "clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
> Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/

No, there's "clear" QAM digital signals available from some cable
companies.

http://htpcguy.com/clearqam.aspx

[Ant]

> >> For OTA (or "clear" cable) digital, you can get a cheap USB thing from
> >> Hauppage.
> >
> >Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
> >"clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
> >Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/

> Clear cable = clear QAM = unencrypted cable channels that can be tuned
> with any QAM tuner. New TV's typically have a QAM tuner these days.
> Standalone devices like the Ceton or Silicondust products also come
> with QAM tuner(s).

Is there a way to check to know if the upcoming basic cable TV service
(haven't moved in yet -- still researching) will have clear QAM or do I
need to ask Time Warner Cable (TWC)? I did notice their
http://www.timewarnerla.com/pricingguides/PDFs_2012/2008_PL-0112.pdf
listed QAM. I still have CRT TVs so there's no way they will have QAM
tuners so they will have to get receivers. Also, TWC said there is no
analog feed in the area. :(

> >> On the other hand, _all_ the satellite companies sell PVR receivers.
> >
> >Yeah, but not for computers which I want to do.

> You've done a 180 then? Till now you were opposed to anything
> involving a computer.

I am still pondering/thinking about it. I am exploring my options.
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[Ant]

> > Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
> > "clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
> > Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/

> No, there's "clear" QAM digital signals available from some cable
> companies.

> http://htpcguy.com/clearqam.aspx

Ah, let me ask Time Warner Cable. All I know is that they use cable
digital in my upcoming home.

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[Char Jackson]

On Thu, 08 Mar 2012 13:52:54 -0600, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>> >> For OTA (or "clear" cable) digital, you can get a cheap USB thing from
>> >> Hauppage.
>> >
>> >Wow, those HD video capture cards aren't cheap. What do you mean by
>> >"clear" cable? Analog? I was thinking of going cable. According to Time
>> >Warner Cable, my upcoming home area will be digital. :/
>
>> Clear cable = clear QAM = unencrypted cable channels that can be tuned
>> with any QAM tuner. New TV's typically have a QAM tuner these days.
>> Standalone devices like the Ceton or Silicondust products also come
>> with QAM tuner(s).
>
>Is there a way to check to know if the upcoming basic cable TV service
>(haven't moved in yet -- still researching) will have clear QAM or do I
>need to ask Time Warner Cable (TWC)?

You can ask, but I doubt they'll give you a meaningful answer*. The
way I do it requires physical access. Hooking up a device that can
tune clear QAM channels, let'er rip, and see what you get. If TWC in
your area is like TWC in my area, you'll get the local channels
without their subchannels, some shopping and religious channels, maybe
a local weather channel, and a few other low value offerings.

*The help desk people may not know and the company as a whole has no
incentive (and no requirement) to give you the information. Other than
testing it yourself after you move in, you might be able to find
someone from your area who has posted the info online. You'll have to
search.

[Ant]

TWC just replied to my e-mail: "... I would like to inform you that we
do use those clear signals. That enables the customers to get a clear
picture in SD and HD..." :D So that means I don't need a receiver and
any cable TV packages, and I can use a coax splitter from my cable to
computer's tuner and Internet. Am I correct?

I am planning to get only local broadcast channels (don't care for
its extra channels, movies, etc.) since I can't get OTA due to the
giant hill/mountain blocking the transmitters. :(

[Char Jackson]

On Thu, 08 Mar 2012 19:12:28 -0600, ANT...@zimage.com (Ant) wrote:

>TWC just replied to my e-mail: "... I would like to inform you that we
>do use those clear signals. That enables the customers to get a clear
>picture in SD and HD..." :D So that means I don't need a receiver and
>any cable TV packages, and I can use a coax splitter from my cable to
>computer's tuner and Internet. Am I correct?

Sorry, I have no idea what they're trying to say. It looks like they
completely misunderstood the question, but to be honest, I don't
remember seeing your actual question.

>I am planning to get only local broadcast channels (don't care for
>its extra channels, movies, etc.) since I can't get OTA due to the
>giant hill/mountain blocking the transmitters. :(

I'd be surprised if the local networks weren't available in
(unencrypted digital) clear QAM, in spite of the nonsensical reply
from TWC.

[Ant]

On 3/8/2012 9:47 PM PT, Char Jackson typed:

>> TWC just replied to my e-mail: "... I would like to inform you that we
>> do use those clear signals. That enables the customers to get a clear
>> picture in SD and HD..." :D So that means I don't need a receiver and
>> any cable TV packages, and I can use a coax splitter from my cable to
>> computer's tuner and Internet. Am I correct?
>
> Sorry, I have no idea what they're trying to say. It looks like they
> completely misunderstood the question, but to be honest, I don't
> remember seeing your actual question.

I e-mailed thia question to TWC's los.s...@twcable.com e-mail
address: "... I have a question. Is Time Warner Cable's basic TV service
using 'clear' QAM digital signals?" Maybe I said this incorrectly?

>> I am planning to get only local broadcast channels (don't care for
>> its extra channels, movies, etc.) since I can't get OTA due to the
>> giant hill/mountain blocking the transmitters. :(
>
> I'd be surprised if the local networks weren't available in
> (unencrypted digital) clear QAM, in spite of the nonsensical reply
> from TWC.

Hmm.
--
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men." --Mortimer J. Adler
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| |o o| |

[Char Jackson]

On Fri, 09 Mar 2012 05:16:12 -0800, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/8/2012 9:47 PM PT, Char Jackson typed:
>
>>> TWC just replied to my e-mail: "... I would like to inform you that we
>>> do use those clear signals. That enables the customers to get a clear
>>> picture in SD and HD..." :D So that means I don't need a receiver and
>>> any cable TV packages, and I can use a coax splitter from my cable to
>>> computer's tuner and Internet. Am I correct?
>>
>> Sorry, I have no idea what they're trying to say. It looks like they
>> completely misunderstood the question, but to be honest, I don't
>> remember seeing your actual question.
>
>I e-mailed thia question to TWC's los.s...@twcable.com e-mail
>address: "... I have a question. Is Time Warner Cable's basic TV service
>using 'clear' QAM digital signals?" Maybe I said this incorrectly?

I might have asked which channels are available in unencrypted digital
clear QAM. Yes, it's totally redundant and could be improved, (perhaps
someone will jump in here), but I figure they work off of key words,
so if they see certain words they might respond a certain way.

Anyway, I would expect the answer to be that all of the local channels
are available in clear QAM, but you'll need a digital (QAM in this
case) tuner in order to view them. Of course, you know about the tuner
requirement, but if they mention it you'll be somewhat assured that
they read your question.

>>> I am planning to get only local broadcast channels (don't care for
>>> its extra channels, movies, etc.) since I can't get OTA due to the
>>> giant hill/mountain blocking the transmitters. :(
>>
>> I'd be surprised if the local networks weren't available in
>> (unencrypted digital) clear QAM, in spite of the nonsensical reply
>> from TWC.
>
>Hmm.

I said that because, in my metro area, we have 3 cable providers,
Comcast, TWC, and Surewest. One thing all of them have in common is
that the local channels are available in clear QAM. By itself, that
doesn't mean your area is the same, but I'd be surprised if it were
different. In addition, I've read elsewhere that cable companies are
*required* to provide the local channels unencrypted, but I don't
remember where I read that.

[Ant]

On 3/9/2012 5:58 AM PT, Char Jackson typed:

I e-mailed to ask "Are all the channels in unencrypted digital clear for
the local broadcast package?" and got an e-mail reply over 8.5 hours
later: "I understand your concern, and yes, you are right, all the
channels unencrypted digital clear for the local broadcast package."
--
"Now I have you where I want you... where is my jar of Bull ants?" --unknown

[Warren Oates]

In article <KsCdnRvHwsG9q8bS...@earthlink.com>,

Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

> I e-mailed to ask "Are all the channels in unencrypted digital clear for
> the local broadcast package?" and got an e-mail reply over 8.5 hours
> later: "I understand your concern, and yes, you are right, all the
> channels unencrypted digital clear for the local broadcast package."

Wow.

Ask him about Vajrapani.

[Ant]

On 3/10/2012 5:40 AM PT, Warren Oates typed:

> Wow.
>
> Ask him about Vajrapani.

Huh? Why ask about that?
--
"It is certain that there may be extraordinary mental activity with an
extremely small absolute mass of nervous matter: thus the wonderfully
diversified instincts, mental powers, and affections of ants are
notorious, yet their cerebral ganglia are not so large as the quarter of
a small pin's head. Under this point of view, the brain of an ant is one
of the most marvelous atoms of matter in the world, perhaps more so than
the brain of a man." --Charles Darwin (from The Origin of Species, 1859)

[Char Jackson]

On Sat, 10 Mar 2012 08:40:55 -0500, Warren Oates
<warren...@gmail.com> wrote:

>In article <KsCdnRvHwsG9q8bS...@earthlink.com>,
> Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:
>
>> I e-mailed to ask "Are all the channels in unencrypted digital clear for
>> the local broadcast package?" and got an e-mail reply over 8.5 hours
>> later: "I understand your concern, and yes, you are right, all the
>> channels unencrypted digital clear for the local broadcast package."
>
>Wow.
>
>Ask him about Vajrapani.

No kidding. It's either that or a bot.

[Char Jackson]

On Sat, 10 Mar 2012 05:55:05 -0800, Ant <a...@zimage.comANT> wrote:

>On 3/10/2012 5:40 AM PT, Warren Oates typed:
>
>> Wow.
>>
>> Ask him about Vajrapani.
>
>Huh? Why ask about that?

I think the point is that they just parroted your question rather than
actually answering it.

[Warren Oates]

In article <kp0nl75g5pfunlg9l...@4ax.com>,

Char Jackson <no...@none.invalid> wrote:

> I think the point is that they just parroted your question rather than
> actually answering it.

Well, the, um, CSR _seems_ to say yes. We're just not sure if he's sure.

Any rate to the OP: I'm not sure where you're located. Google "time
warner clear qam channel listing" or like that; see if you're area pops
up.

[Ant]

On 3/10/2012 10:18 AM PT, Warren Oates typed:

> Any rate to the OP: I'm not sure where you're located. Google "time
> warner clear qam channel listing" or like that; see if you're area pops
> up.

I will be in La Habra Heights, CA 90631 (east of Los Angeles/L.A.). I
searched and found these:

http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/archive/index.php/t-316313-p-21.html (TiVo
Premiere XL with a cable card) from 12/7/2010 4:06 PM.

http://72.9.159.100/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=da5193929771df76fea6868e6e89b8f2&p=10774174#post10774174
from 6/12/2007 9:19 PM PST.

I found two TWC TV forums: http://www.dslreports.com/forum/timewarnertv
and http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=21761020 so I asked
about this QAM question and others. Let's see what they say...
--
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