Old computer into a TiVo - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

pacaveli · 10-28-2009, 08:19 PM

Working on this project got a TV tuner card for the old computer i'm using. Here's my main problem. I have no idea what cables go where and the documentation is really god awful on the product.
This is my TV tuner.

Newegg.com - ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - TV Tuners & Video Devices

have comcast cable box. dunno what plugs are going into where really frustrating

anyone help?

Martian · 10-28-2009, 09:38 PM

Had you asked first, my advice would've been not to waste your money on a tv tuner card. Oh well.

Here's how it works:

To turn your PC into a DVR (not a Tivo, which is a brand name) you need three things: an incoming signal stream, a piece of software to capture that signal stream, and a storage device to hold all your shows. The incoming signal can be passed in via coax, but you'd be better off using DVI or S-Video for the higher quality. Fortunately, most modern video cards do have an S-Video input at the very least -- what this means is that you can simply run the appropriate cable from your set-top box to the PC and it'll do it's thing.

The reason the TV tuner card is mostly useless is because cable companies encrypt their signals. Back in the days of analogue signals, you could use virtually any tuner to do the job, but the fancy encryption used by modern digital cable providers means that you have to have some of their hardware somewhere along the signal path.

So.

From here, you can go one of two routes.

1) You can use your existing set-top box to decode the signal. This involves a bit of wizardry. You'll need to leave your existing set-top box connected exactly as it currently is. You'll then need to run the signal to your HTPC. Again, you can use coax for this, but I'd recommend S-Video or DVI if you have the capability for either. You'll then need appropriate software on the HTPC (MythTV is popular, but Boxee also works from what I understand), and you'll need to connect an IR Blaster back to the cable-box so that the PC can control the channel.

2) You can do some research and see if you can find a CableCARD adapter for your PC. I've never seen one, but to be fair I've never looked either. If youo can find one, you'll hook that up to your HTPC, then you'll simply run the signal directly back to the TV. You'll have to call Comcast to get a CableCARD and a technician will have to install it for you, but as far as I'm aware this all happens at no cost to you.

Note that neither of these uses the tv tuner card, which is really only useful for OTA transmissions. You might want to investigate the return policy of wherever you got it from. Or, you can keep it and use it to receive FM radio signals, which from the sounds of it is the only thing you'll really be able to use it for. The remote too, maybe.

pacaveli · 10-28-2009, 10:57 PM

I'm using coax. I don't have Svideo per say but i have an adapter that allows a yellow component cable to run into an s video slot so that coupled with the red and white audio should do the trick correct?

my biggest thing is i am hooking it up to a comcast digital cable box. I just have no idea where cables should go.

Also old computer being converted didn't have s video output on the old graphics card

telekinetic · 10-29-2009, 09:01 AM

Run RCA audio red and white to the inputs in your card, and the S-video from your cable box to the s-video input. Are you saying i your last post that your cable box doesn't have S-Video out??

To get the signals back to your computer, you'll need audio and video out from your PC and in to your TV. What cables you use for this all depends on what ports your TV has.

By the way, the cables is the absolute easiest part of getting this set up.

pacaveli · 10-29-2009, 03:17 PM

Turns out i bought a terrible card. The coupled software doesn't even detect the card that is installed properly. Trying to get my money back and getting one that's supported by all software bundles. The only thing this apparently does work with is windows media center.

Cynthetiq · 10-29-2009, 04:15 PM

but it still won't be a Tivo..... it will be a DVR, but not a Tivo.

tcp · 10-30-2009, 10:35 AM

I am too confused about all the ins and outs of HTPC/DVR although I've been wanting to do this. Isn't the preferred interface for a cable STB a serial cable?

Martian · 10-30-2009, 10:50 AM

If your receiver supports it and if your HTPC has a serial port, a serial cable can be used as a control interface. Serial connections don't have the necessary throughput to send or receive a video stream, so you'd need a separate one for that.

IR Blaster is the more common method of control because many set top boxes either don't have a serial port, or have it disabled by the provider.

ASU2003 · 10-31-2009, 12:00 PM

Well, it might be the extreme option, but it might also be the option that would work. I have used Mythbuntu for 2 years now and it works well if you have hardware that works with Linux.

10-28-2009, 08:19 PM	#1 (permalink)
pacaveli Psycho Location: MD	Old computer into a TiVo Working on this project got a TV tuner card for the old computer i'm using. Here's my main problem. I have no idea what cables go where and the documentation is really god awful on the product. This is my TV tuner. Newegg.com - ASUS My Cinema-PHC3-100/NAQ/FM/AV/RC TV Tuner Card PCI Interface - TV Tuners & Video Devices have comcast cable box. dunno what plugs are going into where really frustrating anyone help? __________________ they vote for us to go to war instantly But none of their kids serve in the infantry...

10-28-2009, 09:38 PM	#2 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada Blog Entries: 57	Had you asked first, my advice would've been not to waste your money on a tv tuner card. Oh well. Here's how it works: To turn your PC into a DVR (not a Tivo, which is a brand name) you need three things: an incoming signal stream, a piece of software to capture that signal stream, and a storage device to hold all your shows. The incoming signal can be passed in via coax, but you'd be better off using DVI or S-Video for the higher quality. Fortunately, most modern video cards do have an S-Video input at the very least -- what this means is that you can simply run the appropriate cable from your set-top box to the PC and it'll do it's thing. The reason the TV tuner card is mostly useless is because cable companies encrypt their signals. Back in the days of analogue signals, you could use virtually any tuner to do the job, but the fancy encryption used by modern digital cable providers means that you have to have some of their hardware somewhere along the signal path. So. From here, you can go one of two routes. 1) You can use your existing set-top box to decode the signal. This involves a bit of wizardry. You'll need to leave your existing set-top box connected exactly as it currently is. You'll then need to run the signal to your HTPC. Again, you can use coax for this, but I'd recommend S-Video or DVI if you have the capability for either. You'll then need appropriate software on the HTPC (MythTV is popular, but Boxee also works from what I understand), and you'll need to connect an IR Blaster back to the cable-box so that the PC can control the channel. 2) You can do some research and see if you can find a CableCARD adapter for your PC. I've never seen one, but to be fair I've never looked either. If youo can find one, you'll hook that up to your HTPC, then you'll simply run the signal directly back to the TV. You'll have to call Comcast to get a CableCARD and a technician will have to install it for you, but as far as I'm aware this all happens at no cost to you. Note that neither of these uses the tv tuner card, which is really only useful for OTA transmissions. You might want to investigate the return policy of wherever you got it from. Or, you can keep it and use it to receive FM radio signals, which from the sounds of it is the only thing you'll really be able to use it for. The remote too, maybe. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

10-28-2009, 10:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
pacaveli Psycho Location: MD	I'm using coax. I don't have Svideo per say but i have an adapter that allows a yellow component cable to run into an s video slot so that coupled with the red and white audio should do the trick correct? my biggest thing is i am hooking it up to a comcast digital cable box. I just have no idea where cables should go. Also old computer being converted didn't have s video output on the old graphics card __________________ they vote for us to go to war instantly But none of their kids serve in the infantry...

10-29-2009, 09:01 AM	#4 (permalink)
telekinetic Now with 100% less Elitist Title! Location: Wunderland Blog Entries: 1	Run RCA audio red and white to the inputs in your card, and the S-video from your cable box to the s-video input. Are you saying i your last post that your cable box doesn't have S-Video out?? To get the signals back to your computer, you'll need audio and video out from your PC and in to your TV. What cables you use for this all depends on what ports your TV has. By the way, the cables is the absolute easiest part of getting this set up. __________________ twisted no more

10-29-2009, 03:17 PM	#5 (permalink)
pacaveli Psycho Location: MD	Turns out i bought a terrible card. The coupled software doesn't even detect the card that is installed properly. Trying to get my money back and getting one that's supported by all software bundles. The only thing this apparently does work with is windows media center. __________________ they vote for us to go to war instantly But none of their kids serve in the infantry...

10-29-2009, 04:15 PM	#6 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY Blog Entries: 162	but it still won't be a Tivo..... it will be a DVR, but not a Tivo. __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

10-30-2009, 10:35 AM	#7 (permalink)
tcp Tilted	I am too confused about all the ins and outs of HTPC/DVR although I've been wanting to do this. Isn't the preferred interface for a cable STB a serial cable?

10-30-2009, 10:50 AM	#8 (permalink)
Martian Young Crumudgeon Location: Canada Blog Entries: 57	If your receiver supports it and if your HTPC has a serial port, a serial cable can be used as a control interface. Serial connections don't have the necessary throughput to send or receive a video stream, so you'd need a separate one for that. IR Blaster is the more common method of control because many set top boxes either don't have a serial port, or have it disabled by the provider. __________________ I wake up in the morning more tired than before I slept I get through cryin' and I'm sadder than before I wept I get through thinkin' now, and the thoughts have left my head I get through speakin' and I can't remember, not a word that I said - Ben Harper, Show Me A Little Shame

10-31-2009, 12:00 PM	#9 (permalink)
ASU2003 immoral minority Location: possibly ohio	Well, it might be the extreme option, but it might also be the option that would work. I have used Mythbuntu for 2 years now and it works well if you have hardware that works with Linux.