Computer Savvy Folk: Help please

**USAF_Vol** · 06-22-2008, 06:44 PM

Without buying a DVD recorder to do it. How would I:

Have football games from TV streamed onto my laptop and recorded. After I record it, edit out the commercials and then put on a DVD.

How would I go about doing that?

Do I need slingbox, or hava? I wouldn't mind hooking my laptop to the tv for recordings.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Oh, I know this isn't about "gaming" but you gamers should know this technology.

Please dispense advice

MG1968 · 06-23-2008, 04:56 AM

You'll probably need something like this:

Newegg.com - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950 with ATSC/NTSC Tuners USB TV stick - TV Tuners & Video Devices

the software that comes with it will allow you to turn your laptop into a DVR. As far as editing out the commercials before burning it to a DVD goes, the basic video editor included with windows should suffice.

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 08:59 AM

It is also possible to use firewire to get a stream from a digital cable box... save it, and remove commercials and re-encode.

Of course, this assumes you have a digital cable box, and a firewire port on your computer, but it is an option.

**vol_freak** · 06-23-2008, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwemyss

It is also possible to use firewire to get a stream from a digital cable box... save it, and remove commercials and re-encode.

Of course, this assumes you have a digital cable box, and a firewire port on your computer, but it is an option.

That's what I do. Firewire from cable box to laptop. Running cap-vhs on the laptop and then use software (the name escapes me now) to remove the commercials.

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vol_freak

That's what I do. Firewire from cable box to laptop. Running cap-vhs on the laptop and then use software (the name escapes me now) to remove the commercials.

Who told you how to do that?

**USAF_Vol** · 06-23-2008, 01:20 PM

I have an HD DVR cable box. What is a firewire? Also, my tv has a hookup for a computer. Will that make it easier?

Freak, pick the brain for that software name please.

MG, problem with that is that my tv box output is component cables. The only coaxel is for input. Thanks though.

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

I have an HD DVR cable box. What is a firewire? Also, my tv has a hookup for a computer. Will that make it easier?

Freak, pick the brain for that software name please.

MG, problem with that is that my tv box output is component cables. The only coaxel is for input. Thanks though.

IEEE 1394 interface - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

The ports on your cable box should look like this...

http://www.hardware-one.com/reviews/...wireSocket.jpg

Is it a Motorola box?

If you have firewire on your laptop it likely looks like this.

Of course, you would need a firewire cable... with ends that match each of these ends. 6 pin (the large one) or 4 pin (the mini one)

As to your reply to MG, that is a tuner... you could actually plug it into your cable outlet in your wall to get the video on your computer, or for HD you would use the supplied antenna to get OTA signals.

**USAF_Vol** · 06-23-2008, 01:54 PM

OK, on the back of the cable box (It is Motorola) I have two of the large openings, one has IEEE under it and the other has 1394.

I have the small 1394 on the laptop.

So I get a six pin for the back of the cable box, a 4 for the laptop.

Will I need software for the laptop to stream and capture the video?

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

OK, on the back of the cable box (It is Motorola) I have two of the large openings, one has IEEE under it and the other has 1394.

I have the small 1394 on the laptop.

So I get a six pin for the back of the cable box, a 4 for the laptop.

Will I need software for the laptop to stream and capture the video?

Yes, that would be the cable you need.

Yes you need software, but the program to get the stream is the freeware that Freak mentioned, cap-VHS, as well as the device drivers for your cable box.

Check out this thread for some great info on what you are trying to do.

How to record via IEEE 1394 (Firewire) to Windows XP - AVS Forum

Also note, that once you get this working, many cable companies lock the transport stream (.ts) so that it cannot be recorded or viewed by a secondary device (in this case your PC), but there are often many channels that are unlocked, it depends on your area and your company. I've even had OTA broadcast channels locked, but ESPNHD open. Never really made sense.

**USAF_Vol** · 06-23-2008, 03:01 PM

How will I be able to tell if the channels are locked? That would defeat the purpose if it is blocked.

**USAF_Vol** · 06-23-2008, 03:04 PM

Oh man I think I am in over my head

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

How will I be able to tell if the channels are locked? That would defeat the purpose if it is blocked.

You can either go into the service menu of your cable box and check the proper entry. (have to be vague because I forget how I did this and don't want to look it up).

Or get the cable and try it... if the .ts comes through with no video that can be played back, it is locked.

Quote:

Originally Posted by USAF_Vol

Oh man I think I am in over my head

Nah. If Freak can do it, anybody can.

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 04:15 PM

Ok, I got seriously curious on how I did that in the past and looked it up...

Quote:

diagnostics for MOT stb:

* Start with DCT6412 turned on and connect the firewire cable
between the DCT6412 and your PC
* Tune to a channel you are interested in recording from
* Enter *DIAGNOSTICS* page on the DCT6412 as follows with remote:
Press *Cable*, *Power off, Select, Select*
* Scroll down to: *d11 INTERFACE STATUS *and then click *right*
arrow to enter that module
* In *1394 I/O DEVICE* section you should see *ACTIVE PORTS=1*
(indicating the Firewire connection is active) and look at *5C
IMPLEMENTATION* value. If it is something other than *0* this
means 5C protection is enabled and you won't be able to capture
that channel
* To get out of the Status Page click *left* arrow with remote and
scroll down to *EXIT* and click *Select*

Please note that the 5C value will change depending on what channel the tuner is set to... that's how you can determine if it is locked or not. Change the tuner to the correct channel, do this, and read off the 5C line. If it shows 0, you're good... if it is 1 or 2, it won't work.

MG1968 · 06-23-2008, 04:18 PM

wouldn't it be easier to just buy a tuner like I suggested, run a splitter and use the software included with the tuner to do the recording? especially if he's locked out by his cable box?

**rwemyss** · 06-23-2008, 04:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MG1968

wouldn't it be easier to just buy a tuner like I suggested, run a splitter and use the software included with the tuner to do the recording? especially if he's locked out by his cable box?

Only if he's locked out. The quality of a .ts from the digital box is far better than from an analog tuner... plus if he is trying to record a digital channel (i.e. any above 100 or so) even if the tuner he bought were QAM capable (that one probably is since it also has an ATSC tuner) if it is locked in the cable box, it will be locked from a QAM tuner decoding it as well.

I'd rather buy a $5 cable and it not work than a $50 tuner and get the same issue... it not work.