I'm researching building a HTPC using Windows 7 media center. I will be using this tv tuner card: http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2250.html
I was originally only going to stick with over the air channels. I don't have cable now, but is it possible to use media center to tune/record TWC channels? Either standard cable or their minimum digital package?
Thanks for the help,
Jeff
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I built a HTPC using dual
I built a HTPC using dual Hauppauge HVR1600's and Windows Vista.
It appears that the new Windows 7 Media Center allows you to record clear QAM channels using this card, however the only usable clear QAM channels you're going to be able to record are the local broadcast channels. Their digital cable channels (including the HDs) are encrypted. To tune/record those, you'd need a PC with a CableCard slot and maybe a tuning adapter if the CableCard slot is unidirectional.
I loved Windows Media Center, especially being able to use my Xbox 360 as a Media Center extender. But I was only able to record analog cable and OTA HD channels using an antenna.
Rather than building a HTPC, I'd either buy a TiVo or maybe even a Moxi. They have CableCard slots, and would probably be cheaper than a PC. Especially curious about the Moxi because it looks to be very web-enabled and doesn't require monthly fees. They also seem to have additional room extenders for it, which is nice. I think some of the Moxi models are 3-tuner capable too.
Wait about a month...
If you are interested in setting up a proper Windows 7 HTPC wait about a month. Ceton will be releasing their PCI Express CableCARD 4 Tuner card at the end of March. This card can be paired with 1 M-Card for 4 tuners and will only require 1 tuning adapter to get Switched Digital Video channels.
This is truely the holy grail that Cable HTPC owners have been waiting for. If you don't want to wait until the end of March you could always go with the newly opened up for all ATI CableCARD tuners but they are external, only tune 2 channels per CableCard and will require 1 tuning adapter for each ATI tuner you use.
For more info on the Ceton card visit http://www.cetoncorp.com/
That Ceton card looks pretty
That Ceton card looks pretty impressive. Although I think it will almost double my htpc budget.
After I get my system build, does TWC have cable cards available for rent? Do you just have to ask for one? Any idea where the guide info comes from; is it still media center or is it getting the info from TWC?
You can rent CableCards from
You can rent CableCards from Time Warner the same way you would rent a receiver. I think they're about $3 or 4 each. You may also need a tuning adapter, which I think they give you with it.
The guide info comes to Media Center from a third-party. Last I checked, it was Zap2It. I did have some guide issues in Vista Media Center with Time Warner, but they were mainly related to getting OTA HD channels set up and receiving correct channel data. I think Zap2It got updated channel lineups after Time Warner redid their channel numbers. (I haven't used my Media Center PC in a while, as it became too expensive to leave that computer on 24/7)