Question about HTPC and Comcast Digital

[weirdwaldo]

So I was pondering building a tivo like setup with an htpc and had a couple of questions.

I have comcast digital cable for my HD needs, to be able to replicate that on my pc would I need a tuner with a cable card setup? I also read about IR blasters, but arent those quite limited on what you can do?

Then would I just use media center for my dvr needs? Is there a better software? I was gonna use Windows 7 because I hear its got better media center integration.

Thanks for your time

 

[Slugbait]

If you want to watch one channel while recording a different channel (or record multiple channels at once), then yes, you need a tuner. In my area, Comcast provides the first cablecard without a monthly fee. Unfortunately, there aren't very many cablecard tuners available to choose from just yet, and they are hella expensive. And no, Comcast does not provide tuners, only the cablecards.

Win7 does not have better MCE integration compared to XP or Vista. However, Win7 is required if you go with a cablecard tuner.

IR blasters are not limited, per se. I have one for my Hauppauge 250MCE card (using the "Digital Starter" package). The blaster changes the channel on the box, so you can ditch the Comcast remote and use your MCE remote for everything. The end result is that you cannot watch one channel while recording a different channel (although you can watch recorded TV or a movie disc while recording).

Then yeah, MCE is perfect for DVR use, plus a bunch more stuff that couldn't be done otherwise.

I've never had TiVo or the Comcast DVR, my MCE machine has been running for exactly five years now. But I have friends who use those other services, and after seeing Comcast in action, I would only wish the experience on people I don't like.