Thread: HTPC Questions: 1) Channel control PVR 2) Broadcast Flag July 2005?

Originally Posted by judoGTI

I have digital cable, so to hook this up I will bring in the cable from outside into the cable box, from the cable box to the PC, then from the PC to the TV. The main reason I want to build this is to record shows while Im not at home. The software I see out there will let me schedule recordings in advance across many channels. My question is how does the PC get to the channel I want recorded? For example is I turn the TV off and it was left on channel 2. I have a scheduled recording later that night on channel 4, how does the PC get to channel 4 to record? Do I need to leave the cable box on the right channel??

1) This isn't the best forum for these sorts of answers. You should really check out HTPC forums for better answers.
2) I don't know about any HTPC or PVR card solution, but my TiVo (which has the same functionality that you're looking for) came with a cable that connects to a port on the back of my digital cable box. The TiVo sends the signal to change channels through that cable. It doesn't support all digital boxes, though. I guess I was fortunate in that regard. The TiVo also supplies infrared deals that function like a remote control to change the channel on your digital cable box. I would think it's likely that some method of controlling a digital cable box would have to be supplied with the PVR card or at the very least make it an available option.

Originally Posted by judoGTI

Question 2, I have heard rumors about the Broadcast Flag being put into effect (thanks to Hollywood and the FCC) and that I will need to buy my PVR before July of this year to make sure I can still record programs freely. Anyone have news on this? I just want to make sure I have the facts before I panic and buy 1000 PVR cards.

Not a rumor, but something that will most likely happen, since the FCC has already approved it. Both OTA and cable/satellite-based transmissions will have the flag after July, but only DTV OTA tuners purchased before July [without the flag support] will be considered legal after July.

Keep in mind though that the broadcast flag is only for protecting digital content; you can still receive NTSC signals OTA without any flags, and record them however you want.

Lots of information can be found about the broadcast flag, and why it's bad for people (at least those with good intentions), but good for the MPAA and all the TV networks.

http://www.eff.org/IP/Video/HDTV/

I'm building my own HD PVR using the PCHDTV HD-3000 card and MythTV. No way am I going to allow them to control what I can and can't record or time-shift.