Posts with tag hd-pvr
Posted Apr 25th 2008 10:05AM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
The upcoming Hauppauge
HD-PVR is probably the most anticipated piece of PVR hardware since... well, I don't know. But it's certainly a sexy piece of hardware that a lot of folks have been hoping to get their hands on. The HD-PVR can record HDTV video from analog component sources. In other words, you don't need a CableCard tuner, HDMI, or other fancy tricks to record HDTV on your computer. You just need to run some cables from this set top box to your cable or satellite box. The HD-PVR will then do all the heavy lifting and compress your video using the H.264 codec.
But there does appear to be at least one downside (aside from the fact that analog recordings are inherently lower quality than digital recordings). Chris Lanier points out that
Hauppauge will not officially support dual tuner setups for now. That means, if you were hoping to pick up two boxes and record two HDTV shows as the same time, you may be out of luck.
Apparently the drivers for the HD-PVR do support multiple tuner setups. But Hauppauge has not yet tested this configuration, so the company won't officially support this option. That would seem to indicate that Hauppauge could add support when the product is a bit more mature and the company's had more time to kick the tires. On the other hand, it's wholly possible that third party software PVR applications like
BeyondTV,
SageTV, and
GB-PVR could add multi-tuner support before Hauppauge gets around to it.
Posted Apr 9th 2008 12:55PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware, Software
While SageTV, Microsoft, and
possibly Snapstream and Elgato are still working on adding support for the hotly anticipated Hauppage
HD-PVR to their media center applications, GB-PVR
already supports the new high definition H.264 recorder.
GB-PVR is a free, but closed source media center application. The developer says he's had an HD-PVR sitting on his desk for a month and that support is already built into GB-PVR version 1.2.9, which was released
a month ago. He hasn't been able to test the unit fully, since he doesn't have high definition cable or satellite service. But in theory, it should work as soon as the new recorder is available.
[via
Project HTPC]
Posted Apr 7th 2008 9:53PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
Two more bits of Hauppage
HD-PVR news today. First up, Hauppauge has launched an official
preorder page. While the HD-PVR isn't expected to hit the streets until May, you can place an order for one today for $249.
In other news, Snapstream Media CEO Rakesh Agrawal wrote in to let us know that his team has
received a prototype unit for testing purposes. Snapstream makes the
BeyondTV personal video recorder software for Windows, so it's safe to say that HD-PVR support will be added to BeyondTV in the not too distant future. Agrawal says he's not ready to make any official statement yet, since Hauppauge is still working on the hardware.
Blogger Dave Zatz has already confirmed that
SageTV will support the HD-PVR, which means that it's possible the only major commercial PVR application for Windows that won't support the device when it's launched will be Windows Media Center. But Windows Media Center support is expected later this year.
Posted Apr 5th 2008 11:56AM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
Hauppauge has
added a page to their web site with detailed specifications for the upcoming
HD-PVR, a new box that will be able to capture 1080i video from a component source. Hauppauge says the unit will be available May 1st, but despite earlier rumors that a pre-order page would go live soon, there's none to be seen yet.
Here are some other interesting tidbits:
- Compresses video in real-time using the H.264 codec, with constant and variable bit-rates ranging from 1Mbps to 13.5Mbps
- Format recordings so they can be burned to Blu-ray discs
- Record at 1080i, 720p, or VGA resolutions
- Comes with IR remote control and IR Blaster for changing the TV channels on your set top box
- NTSC, PAL, and SECAM support
- Requires a PC with a dual core CPU and at least 256MB of graphics memory for playback of high definition H.264 videos
Oh, and the HD-PVR has a model number now. It's officially the HD-PVR 1212.
[via
Brent Evans Geek Tonic]
Posted Apr 4th 2008 11:28AM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
Observant readers will note that every time
I've mentioned the
upcoming Hauppauge HD-PVR, I've slapped an image of the Hauppauge logo on the post. That's because up until now Hauppauge had not released any images of the new video capture device which will be able to do real-time H.264 compression of 1080i video from a component video source.
Now a moderator at the SageTV user forums has
posted 2 images that show the front and back view of the HD-PVR. It appears to come with a standard Hauppauge infrared remote control, the same type the company bundles with many of its existing TV tuners.
The Hauppauge HD-PVR should be available in May or June for about $250. But if you believe the folks at the SageTV Forums, you should be able to preorder one from the
Hauppauge web site later today.
[via
Brent Evans Geek Tonic]
Posted Mar 30th 2008 4:27PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
If you've been waiting to get your hands on the new
HD-PVR from Hauppauge, you might have to wait a little bit longer. Brent Evans reports that the device, which had been targeted for a late March launch has been pushed back and is now scheduled for a May or June release.
The HD-PVR will be able to capture HD video from any component video output and compress it in real time to H.264. In other words, you can using your existing cable or satellite box to flip channels, and record HDTV without getting a CableCard tuner for your PC.
Evans has also learned that Windows Media Center will not support the new device at launch, but that you should be able to use the HD-PVR with a Windows Media Center machine by this summer. But we'd be surprised if the device isn't supported by third party media center software like
SageTV,
BeyondTV, and
MythTV.
Posted Jan 10th 2008 5:53PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Cable/Satellite, Hardware
Want to capture high definition television on your home theater PC, but don't feel like shelling out $1000 or more on CableCard tuners that only work with Windows Vista? Hauppauge is
preparing to launch a $250 box that will capture 1080p video from a cable or satellite box and automatically transcode it to H.264 video for storing on your PC.
The Hauppauge HD PVR connects to your set top box's component or "YPrPb" output, so what you're capturing is an analog signal. You'll need to use an IR blaster to let the USB TV tuner change channels.
When you combine the analog source with the fact that your video will be compressed, it's safe to say that you won't get the same kind of video quality with the HD PVR as you would with a true CableCard tuner. On the other hand, the HD PVR is going to be a
lot cheaper than the competition. And while CableCard tuners only work with Windows Vista Media Center, Hauppauge has a good track record of putting out TV tuner cards that work with everything from
BeyondTV and
SageTV for Windows to
MythTV for Linux.
[via
Brent Evans]
Posted Jan 4th 2008 2:56PM by Brad Linder
Filed under: HDTV, PVR Wire, Hardware
Looking for a high definition personal video recorder, but feel like the TiVo Series3 isn't prestigious enough now that you can pick it up for far less than its original $800 price? Gefen has got the answer for you.
Gefen's new HD PVR records high definition video, but compresses it to MPEG-4. That means you might be able to store more hours on the device's 80GB hard drive than you could with a Series3 TiVo's 250GB of storage.
Gefen's recorder also sports HDMI inputs for recording high quality HD sources. There's also an SD card slot for recording directly to removable media. And since video is recorded in a standard MPEG-4 format, you should be able to watch your videos on pretty much any device with an SD card slot.
The HD PVR can handle resolutions from 480i to 1080i and is available for pre-order for $999.
[via
EngadgetHD]
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