How to hookup PC and TV to cable

[philip0871]

I have Comcast cable and would like to hookup my PC (with TV tuner card) as a DVR. I currently have the TV connected directly to the HD cable box via HDMI. Im assuming the cable box will not allow simultaneous outputs (i.e. HDMI to TV and coax to PC). My PC already serves as a media server on my home network, and is accessible directly from my SmartTV. I dont want to use Windows Media Center to browse regular TV.

Does the input to the PC have to come from the HD cable box?

Basically I want to be able to schedule recordings on my PC and then watch them on my TV, without the 2 being directly connected. I already know how to access recorded files from my PC, Im just not sure how to hook up the cable to the PC.

 

[legokill101]

hmmm the best way would be to get a cable card tuner but thats pricey http/www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815706001

 

[Wolfshadw]

There are actually a few more cablecard tuners. Which one to get depends on how many tuners your need.

Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2640 - Two Tuners
SiliconDust HD HomeRun Prime - Three Tuners
Ceton InfiniTV4 PCI-E - Four Tuners
Ceton InfiniTV4 USB - Four Tuners
Ceton InfiniTV6 PCI-E - Six Tuners
Ceton InfiniTV6 Eth - Six Tuners

Any one of these devices will replace the need to lease a Comcast Set Top Box (STB). You will need to lease a cablecard however, but at a much less monthly cost than even just one STB/DVR. If you have multiple tuners (or even an Xbox 360) hard wired into your network, you can then assign any or all available tuners to those devices and they will act as if connected to a Comcast STB/DVR

-Wolf sends