Foxtel HD

arnee · **14th July 2008, 12:18 PM**

I'm surprised i can't see any threads on anyone already using Foxtel HD and reviews ?

Will this fix my nightmare quality of recording foxtel thru analog tuner ?

No one signed up ??

Pussa · **14th July 2008, 01:39 PM**

I've also been wonderng about it. But I'm on Austar, so not sure if HD channels are available to Austar clients in Tasmania.

If someone does have it though, I'd like to hear how they've connected it to Media Center. I'd imagine it would have to be using component outputs to an analog card with component in to get something close to HD?

logifuse · **14th July 2008, 01:43 PM**

Best connection in to VMC is still only S-video, so it's probably not going to help.

Justin

Pussa · **14th July 2008, 02:04 PM**

Looks like a device like this is as close as it gets at the moment, but not a solution:

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

so maybe they will make a PCIe card that can down the track...

arnee · **14th July 2008, 03:04 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by logifuse

Best connection in to VMC is still only S-video, so it's probably not going to help.

Justin

Really ?? No devices that can take the hdmi as input ??

Auldar · **14th July 2008, 04:50 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnee

Really ?? No devices that can take the hdmi as input ??

I think that would be the whole point of HDCP on digital outputs.. To prevent 1:1 copying of digital content..

logifuse · **14th July 2008, 04:55 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pussa

Looks like a device like this is as close as it gets at the moment, but not a solution:

http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hdpvr.html

so maybe they will make a PCIe card that can down the track...

I've had it on good authority that support for that device was in early betas of Fiji, but have now been left out - don't know why.

Quote:

Originally Posted by arnee

Really ?? No devices that can take the hdmi as input ??

There are devices, but that's not the problem - the problem is the types of inputs that VMC supports. At the moment, s-video is the best that VMC can do.

Justin

Pussa · **14th July 2008, 05:40 PM**

Good point. I won't even think about attempting to subscribe to HD channels then!

Would be nice if support for this was included in 'Fiji' though...

Ararat · **14th July 2008, 08:56 PM**

I have it, and it's not a HUGE deal. I do my recordings via an external program (that supports component in), and view via media center. Not HD channels though. Definitely notice the quality loss there if you try to view via computer, those are better done through HDMI to the tv - but hey, iQ works just like media center, only with an awful interface.

The SD channels on the other hand, do look better after going through the pc, as it upscales them (it's awful that the HD box doesn't do so itself, it outputs them in 1080i, but it just stretches the image rather than upscaling), but then, you can do that just as well on your old foxtel digital/iq box, and your question is about Foxtel HD, so I assume you were talking about HD channels.

When HDMI input to the PC becomes possible, THEN it might be worth it to get the HD box for sd channels and media center.

Btw, this HAS been discussed on this forum over the last month or 2.

arnee · **15th July 2008, 11:56 AM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ararat

I have it, and it's not a HUGE deal. I do my recordings via an external program (that supports component in), and view via media center.

Hows the quality with component in ?

Do u still have to use an analog capture card ?