V+ HD Through PC - Techwatch Support Forums: Digital & Satellite TV, FTA, Cable, Computers, Mobile Phones, Apple and General Tech Forums

mikee · 02-03-10, 10:14 PM

Hi,

First off I am sorry if this has already been answered, but I have looked on here and on Google and I am yet to find an answer...

This is also my first post, so please go easy on me and I apologise in advance if I have wrote too much!

My question is this...

Is there any way of me watching V+ HD through my pc?

I Have a fully paid for subscription with Multi Room, but would like to watch TV through my PC so I can work at the same time. I have not got PiP on my TV so this is not an option, and I do not wish to add another screen to the room. I do not care what operating system this is done in. I am comfortable with Linux or Windows (and will use OSX if needs be).

I don't mind spending a few hundred quid if it gets the job done.

I have seen a Intensity Pro - HDMI Capture Card on-line, but unsure if this will work with the HDCP on the box (I dont mind running the box in and watching a stream from HDMI using the Virgin Box to change channels if that will work). I know devices are available that will remove the HDCP from the feed, but have never used any myself. Another issue with the card is that it does not handle 5.1 audio.

I would obviously like to be able to change the channels through the PC, but don't much care if this is not available. I am sure it will not be too hard to knock something up to change channels with an IR blaster and link in with an EPG on MythTV or whatever at a later date when I have more time.

Does anyone know of a way of me doing this retaining full quality (i.e. not through component then TV card capture) and preferably keeping 5.1?

Oh it would also be nice if I could record the feed from the V+box also, but this is not essential.

If anyone has any links to information or first hand experience I would be grateful of the help!

Thanks in advance!

martin-f · 03-03-10, 01:09 AM

a slingbox will do it

mikee · 03-03-10, 07:21 AM

Thanks for the idea martin-f, but i have looked at the Slingbox pro-hd before and I don't think it supports HDMI, it will not stream 1080p and I am not sure about 5.1 audio either.

Am I right in thinking this, or am I missing something?

I was hoping for a solution I could use that would allow me to grab an input from any HDMI source really, not just the V+Box HD.

martin-f · 03-03-10, 06:19 PM

not to sure on the specs m8 but i use one with very good results. you can take a look here for more info on the slingbox good luck

Code:

 
-http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/sling-media-slingbox-pro/4505-6463_7-32815136.html?tag=also

remove the - from link

MisterKnowItAll · 05-03-10, 07:43 PM

The answer to the original question is no, unfortunately. If you lived in a less TV fascist country, your cable provider would simply supply you with a cam and a card, which you could then use in any device, including a DVB-C enabled PC, but alas...

Until the N3 switch, it will still be possible to use a DVB-C card and hard/softcam to receive SD and HD channels on a PC, but that will soon be over. Card sharing may still be a possibility, but I don't think we're allowed to discuss that in much detail around here.

As for Slingbox, it doesn't retain full quality.

There are various HDMI capture cards around, but I'm not sure how well they work. You would need a pretty hardcore PC to be able to handle full HD resolutions.

mikee · 06-03-10, 04:16 PM

Thanks guys...

I have been looking some more on the net and have found the AVerTV CaptureHD...

It is not full 1080p (does 1080i/720p), and only does 2 channel sound, but says it will support HDCP, has anyone seen this before/used it?

I could make do with 720p for the time being I guess. If this is out now doing HDCP and 720p what is stopping a card doing 1080p hitting the shelves?

MisterKnowItAll · 07-03-10, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikee

Thanks guys...

I have been looking some more on the net and have found the AVerTV CaptureHD...

It is not full 1080p (does 1080i/720p), and only does 2 channel sound, but says it will support HDCP, has anyone seen this before/used it?

I could make do with 720p for the time being I guess. If this is out now doing HDCP and 720p what is stopping a card doing 1080p hitting the shelves?

Heh, you got a mis-fired thanks there, when I missed the quote button. Enjoy.

Your V+ box only outputs 1080i anyway, but be advised of the specs required for recording. Intel Pentium 3.0GHz with HT (Hyper-Threading) or equivalent, and since it re-encodes, the quality won't be all that great.

BL4K3Y · 07-03-10, 12:07 PM

I'm sure the V+ can output HD at 1080p.

MisterKnowItAll · 07-03-10, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by blakey_8

I'm sure the V+ can output HD at 1080p.

I don't know if that's true, but it doesn't matter, since the source material is only going to be 1080i anyway.

River-Rat · 07-03-10, 05:08 PM

correct, nothing is 1080p on virgin

02-03-10, 10:14 PM	#1 (permalink)
mikee Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	V+ HD Through PC Hi, First off I am sorry if this has already been answered, but I have looked on here and on Google and I am yet to find an answer... This is also my first post, so please go easy on me and I apologise in advance if I have wrote too much! My question is this... Is there any way of me watching V+ HD through my pc? I Have a fully paid for subscription with Multi Room, but would like to watch TV through my PC so I can work at the same time. I have not got PiP on my TV so this is not an option, and I do not wish to add another screen to the room. I do not care what operating system this is done in. I am comfortable with Linux or Windows (and will use OSX if needs be). I don't mind spending a few hundred quid if it gets the job done. I have seen a Intensity Pro - HDMI Capture Card on-line, but unsure if this will work with the HDCP on the box (I dont mind running the box in and watching a stream from HDMI using the Virgin Box to change channels if that will work). I know devices are available that will remove the HDCP from the feed, but have never used any myself. Another issue with the card is that it does not handle 5.1 audio. I would obviously like to be able to change the channels through the PC, but don't much care if this is not available. I am sure it will not be too hard to knock something up to change channels with an IR blaster and link in with an EPG on MythTV or whatever at a later date when I have more time. Does anyone know of a way of me doing this retaining full quality (i.e. not through component then TV card capture) and preferably keeping 5.1? Oh it would also be nice if I could record the feed from the V+box also, but this is not essential. If anyone has any links to information or first hand experience I would be grateful of the help! Thanks in advance!

03-03-10, 07:21 AM	#3 (permalink)
mikee Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: V+ HD Through PC Thanks for the idea martin-f, but i have looked at the Slingbox pro-hd before and I don't think it supports HDMI, it will not stream 1080p and I am not sure about 5.1 audio either. Am I right in thinking this, or am I missing something? I was hoping for a solution I could use that would allow me to grab an input from any HDMI source really, not just the V+Box HD.

03-03-10, 06:19 PM	#4 (permalink)
martin-f Super Moderator Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 3,298 Thanks: 1,209 Thanked 1,317 Times in 914 Posts	Re: V+ HD Through PC not to sure on the specs m8 but i use one with very good results. you can take a look here for more info on the slingbox good luck Code: -http://reviews.cnet.com/video-players-and-recorders/sling-media-slingbox-pro/4505-6463_7-32815136.html?tag=also remove the - from link __________________ 1mtr orbital dish motorised azbox premium hd technomate 6900 hd combo "never argue with an idiot, they will bring you down to their level and beat you on experience"

05-03-10, 07:43 PM	#5 (permalink)
MisterKnowItAll Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Posts: 7 Thanks: 1 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: V+ HD Through PC The answer to the original question is no, unfortunately. If you lived in a less TV fascist country, your cable provider would simply supply you with a cam and a card, which you could then use in any device, including a DVB-C enabled PC, but alas... Until the N3 switch, it will still be possible to use a DVB-C card and hard/softcam to receive SD and HD channels on a PC, but that will soon be over. Card sharing may still be a possibility, but I don't think we're allowed to discuss that in much detail around here. As for Slingbox, it doesn't retain full quality. There are various HDMI capture cards around, but I'm not sure how well they work. You would need a pretty hardcore PC to be able to handle full HD resolutions.

06-03-10, 04:16 PM	#6 (permalink)
mikee Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post	Re: V+ HD Through PC Thanks guys... I have been looking some more on the net and have found the AVerTV CaptureHD... It is not full 1080p (does 1080i/720p), and only does 2 channel sound, but says it will support HDCP, has anyone seen this before/used it? I could make do with 720p for the time being I guess. If this is out now doing HDCP and 720p what is stopping a card doing 1080p hitting the shelves?

07-03-10, 12:07 PM	#8 (permalink)
BL4K3Y Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Colne, Lancashire Posts: 7,004 Thanks: 247 Thanked 1,319 Times in 1,211 Posts	Re: V+ HD Through PC I'm sure the V+ can output HD at 1080p.

07-03-10, 05:08 PM	#10 (permalink)
River-Rat Ex cable guy Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 2,780 Thanks: 62 Thanked 385 Times in 281 Posts	Re: V+ HD Through PC correct, nothing is 1080p on virgin __________________ 1 meter dish with octo lnb, xtrend et9200HD e2 box, 50inch Panasonic vt30. ps3, lg cinema sound