Vista HTPC + Foxtel basic

t-bone · **1st August 2008, 04:22 PM**

Hello

I'm new to the HTPC/Mediacenter environment, and to complicate things even further, I've just subscribed to the basic Foxtel package. This is the reason for my post... currently my Foxtel is setup 'outside' of the HTPC and is connected directly to the LG52" Tv using the RCA (yellow, black & white ?) connectors... in order to view foxtel, I have to switch my tv to AV

I've read through the other posts on this section, but must say I'm still not sure how to proceed with incorporating Foxtel into my mediacenter. I've got the basic foxtel decoder, 250 model (see attached doc) which, after phoning foxtel concerning the limited connections on this machine, they've agreed to swop it out for a 1000 model (see attached doc)

I have a Happauge 2200 Twin digital receiver which works beautifully with the FTA channels. Currently my external antenna cable is connected to the 'RF IN' on the Hauppauge card.

My intention, when I get the model 1000 decoder, is to connect the external antenna cable to the 'RF IN' connection on the foxtel box and to then run a single cable from the 'RF OUT' of my foxtel box to the 'RF IN' on the Tv card...

Will this work - i.e. pick up all existing FTA channels, in HD where available, as well as pick up the Foxtel channels...? (Ideally I'd like to avoid buying an additional 'Analog' tv tuner card).

Appreciate any advice you guys have for me.
Rgds

T-Bone

DDH · **1st August 2008, 04:47 PM**

t-bone

In short, unlikely to work. Reason, you probably have the 2200 setup as a digital tuner and the output from the Foxtel STB is analogue. If your 2200 was set to analogue this would work, you will need to check if you are using DTV or analogue.

One solution is to add another analogue card and "trick" Media Centre into using more than 2 TV tuners (and a combination of digital and analogue), but you may find this a bit challenging.

What are you trying to achieve? Is it to stop having to select a different source on the TV, record Foxtel, or other? The best solution is one that fit your needs, so more information please.

t-bone · **1st August 2008, 07:37 PM**

Hi DDH

I'm trying for all those things. I want to have both FTA and Fox signals pass throught the HTPC (preferrably using only the Hauppauge card) so that I'd be able to watch tv using the HTPC exclusively (i.e not having to switch to AV to watch fox)

Also would like to be able to record from either FTA or Fox, or both (using the 2 tuners in the tv card)

How do I check whether I'm using the card as digital or analogue...? (I think it is using 2x digital - as I only tuned it through Vista MC and do not even have the hauppauge tv software installed - if that makes sense...)

Rgds
T-bone

amaru96 · **2nd August 2008, 12:43 PM**

Hey T-bone, yes you can have FTA & Fox pass through the HTPC and watch/record from either signal.

It took some doing but I finally got it going. I have a DNTV Live Hybrid S2 tuner card and it's fantastic! I am able to record from foxtel plus 2 FTA channels all at the same time!

With regards to the EPG, I originally used FreeEPG* but they have since stopped providing guide data for foxtel. You will need to use the software they have available to download guide updates (instructions and links here: http://www.xpmediacentre.com.au/comm...tml#post210779)

You will need to do some work to get the guide along with the Foxtel channels working properly.

You must also be aware that MCE by default will only see one side of your card, either digital or analogue not both. I don't know anything about the Hauppauge cards but I'm assuming they are not a hybrid, meaning they only have 2 digital tuners - you use the digital tuners to receive FTA and the analogue cards to receive foxtel. If that's the case you will need to purchase an analogue card to receive fox.

You can then follow Broadstar's thread to enable both: Get Most Cards To Work In Mce

There are quite a few guides here on how to get it going. The ones which helped me the most are:
Digital and Analog TV (Guide)
MCE - Foxtel / PAY TV Guide
DTV and Analog TV Works (TOGETHER)

The guides are slightly outdated now that FreeEPG don't provide guide data for fox but most of the information is still relevant and must be followed.

Good luck!

Skissors · **4th August 2008, 03:36 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by amaru96

Hey T-bone, yes you can have FTA & Fox pass through the HTPC and watch/record from either signal.

It took some doing but I finally got it going. I have a DNTV Live Hybrid S2 tuner card and it's fantastic! I am able to record from foxtel plus 2 FTA channels all at the same time!

Good luck!

Hi Amaru96,

I have my dual analog and dual Digital all setup running through media center with foxtel, FTA tv and the guide all working.
Just wondering are you able to record Foxtel and FTA at the same time ?
If so what are your recording preferences setup as?

I can record foxtel (analog) or FTA(digital) and watch either I just cant record Foxtel and FTA at the same time.

I had another thread asking about this, But I just caught your post and I thought I'd ask you as it seems you have it working.

Cheers
Skiss

amaru96 · **5th August 2008, 11:12 AM**

Hey Skissors, I can record 2 FTA channels and Foxtel at the same time. So 3 recordings going at once.

I'll take a look at my reg settings as soon as I get a chance but pretty sure I just followed the settings described by Wix here: DTV and Analog TV Works (TOGETHER)

Ararat · **5th August 2008, 11:29 AM**

If you have only one tuner, you won't be able to record 2 of anything at the same time.

I find what amaru is saying a little difficult to believe, but I need to clarify. You are using ONE dual hybrid card (and no other tv tuners in the computer?). And using those 2 tuners, you are able to record BOTH 2 digital channels (not that it really matters in VMC but are they on the same mux?) AND foxtel at the same time? All through VMC? This is a bit of a grey area, but I'm pretty sure VMC won't allow it.

And while a tuner isn't strictly required for video capture, other parts of the card may have to be shared, which is why most cards outright refuse to comply when trying to do so (I have previously had a card which recorded both DTV and foxtel at the same time using the same tuner - leadtek dtv-2000h - but it would not record foxtel properly when trying this, it would get choppy).

@t-bone: In general, don't bank on it. While you may be able to configure your system to use the same tuner for both fox and fta, god help u if vmc tries to use it to do both at the same time. It MIGHT work (and i say this only because amaru is claiming it does - but he is using a different card to you, and i can tell you that it absolutely does NOT work with my hybrid), it would be far easier just to get a single analog card that has a hardware encoder (not strictly necessary, but def better to have). Don't mean to jump to conclusions, but if you can afford the (very expensive) hauppauge 2200, then you could probably pick up a cheap analog card too.

Good Luck with it.

Skissors · **5th August 2008, 11:58 AM**

YepI have the hvr 2200,
I can record foxtel while watching FTA and the other way around, also can record 2 fta channels at once.
This is why i thought I should be able to record fox and fta at the same time, if i can watch one and record the other.
Would like to know other peoples experiences with this using, dual hybrid cards.
Seems like a very hit and miss thing.

Ararat · **5th August 2008, 04:31 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skissors

YepI have the hvr 2200,
I can record foxtel while watching FTA and the other way around, also can record 2 fta channels at once.
This is why i thought I should be able to record fox and fta at the same time, if i can watch one and record the other.
Would like to know other peoples experiences with this using, dual hybrid cards.
Seems like a very hit and miss thing.

lol, m8, that's not a challenge, what IS a problem is recording TWO dtv channels at the same time as watching/recording foxtel (and yes, for the purposes of this discussion, watching and recording are the same thing, if you can watch it you can record it). Everything you mentioned involved only recordings at any given time.

That is why I want verification from someone who a ONE dual hybrid tuner card (and only that card - no other tuners present in the system), and is able to watch/record TWO dtv channels while simultaneously watching/recording foxtel. My feeling is it's impossible, and if it works for someone, it's either an anomaly, or more likely something specific to their particular card (in this case the DNTV Live Hybrid S2).

All the OP can do is try it with the 2200. Give it a go with all 3 at the same time, and see if it works. If not, you can still do what you want, but you will have to restrict yourself one tuner for digital tv (unless you buy an analog tuner).

Skissors · **5th August 2008, 07:45 PM**

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ararat

lol, m8, that's not a challenge, what IS a problem is recording TWO dtv channels at the same time as watching/recording foxtel (and yes, for the purposes of this discussion, watching and recording are the same thing, if you can watch it you can record it). Everything you mentioned involved only recordings at any given time.

.

Hence my question why can i record foxtel and watch dtv or reocrod dtv and watch foxtel, but i cant record foxtel and dtv at the same time. (if recording and watching are the same)

I'm not fussed about 3 recordings just the two.