Hauppauge Intros PC HD Video Recorder

[Jeremy Charette]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/15395/hauppauge_intros_pc_hd_video_recorder' target='_blank'>http://news.digitaltrends.com/news/story/15395/hauppauge_intros_pc_hd_video_recorder</a><br /><br /></div><div><em>&quot;Hauppauge obviously decided to leave one big surprise until later in the week at CES. Yesterday it introduced an HD video recorder for the PC, known as the HD PVR. It connects to the computer via USB, and records HD <nobr>TV</nobr> in real time, converting into the ISO standard H.264 format. The HD PVR can connect to high definition cable <nobr>TV</nobr> or satellite TV set top box receivers using standard component cables...it can also create AVCHD recordings (the format used on Blu-ray high <nobr>definition</nobr> players). As part of the software applications which will be shipped with Hauppauge's HD encoder, a DVD burning application will be provided which can take AVCHD formatted recordings and burn them onto a conventional DVD disc. These discs can then be played in Blu-ray DVD players. About 2 hours of Blu-ray HD content can be recorded on a 4.7 GB DVD disk.&quot;<br /><br /></em></div><div><em></em></div><div><img border="0" alt="" src="http://images.thoughtsmedia.com//dht/auto/1200529726.usr17787.gif" /></div><div> </div><div><br />I like the idea of a PVR device for my computer that works with my cable box, but not if it takes complete control of the box itself. In order to record two different shows at the same time, I'd need two HD PVRs and two cable boxes. That seems like overkill if you ask me. I'll take a TiVo HD instead, thanks. Now that this WILL be good for is capturing video from component video sources such as game consoles or HD DVD/Blu-Ray players for archiving or encoding to H.264. I haven't seen a reasonably priced HD capture device on the market up 'til now.</div>

[randalllewis]

This is a step in the right direction, but not quite what I am looking for. I have a TIVO HD on my HD TV and I love it.

I have a Hauppauge TV tuner and PVR card in my computer and use it currently to record non HD news and other shows as the tuner only covers channels 1 to 99 where there are no HD programs on my local system.

What I want is a new tuner card (internal preferable) that can get all the cable channels and allow my spare hard drive to work as an HD DVR.

[blot]

Very interesting. I can't imagine the cable companies will be too pleased with this device though. I'm not currently willing to buy a new pc in order to get CableCARD tech. This sounds like it could be a nice alternative for recording HD cable content. Any idea if this will be compatible with Vista/MCE even though it encodes to H.264?

[onlydarksets]

That would be an OCUR system, and it's going to run you a couple thousand dollars minimum.

[EscapePod]

I don't have the model discussed here, however, I have the Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1600 NTSC/ATSC Combo card installed inside the Vista PC I built a little over a year ago. It works great for me in three areas:

1) Recording over the air HDTV signals is very helpful for me. There are at least 20 strong HD transmitting stations in my area -- granted, there is obviously some programming duplication, especially on the major networks.

2) I can easily edit recorded programs right on my computer. No more transferring it (analog style) from the TIVO or set-top DVR, then editing it. I have quite a (personal) collection of some of Letterman's "Great Moments In Presidential Speeches" segment, which I intend to archive to a DVD (directly on my PC).

3) If I want to watch it on my cable-driven 50" HDTV, I can send the program to it via XBOX360 Extender.

Sure the TIVO is great, so is my DVR, but the PC PVR just has more versatility for me.

Note: because it is the combo unit, it has two coax inputs -- one for antenna, and one for cable, satellite, or whatever. The newer models have the ability to record non-encrypted cable HD broadcasts.