WinTv-HVR 1600 + Vista home Premium + Media Center

A couple of months ago I purchased a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1600 (dual ATSC/NTSC) with remote.I had done this in an attempt to curb the ridiculous expense of Cable TV, yet while also retaining the DVR functionality I loved. The idea was to save 70 bucks (after ditching the cable I picked up Netflix) and to still have all the recording/watching capabilities I had with the old setup.

I had forever tried to to make a MythBox, but only after purchasing did I realize that my card was yet to be supported by the linux community. (Avid Linux follower, but non-user. Why? ....Video Games +Wine = not good enough YET) So the only alternative was some Windows software.

After dredging through the tons of crap (sage TV and Gb-PVR were MEH. Boxee wouldn't let me back in even though I registered for the site this past summer, and Beyond TV had the most hope .... but I wanted Netflix and it to be free.)

The solution:
Vista Home Premium + Windows Media Center. Ewww I know, BUT I figured I'd rebuild my old emachine (replaced with my super computer this summer) and have an extra comp/DVR box. I was gonna drop $100 but then I realized my wife has Home premium. So the logical decision was to swap my business Vista for Home premium and call it good.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• HVR
• Hauppauge
• 1600
• WinTV
• WMC
• Media
• Center
• PVR
• DVR
• Vista

[06GTFanatic]

I am thinking about getting this.

I am splitting the signal in my pc room to my modem and running the other cable to a basic receiver I got from Verizon. Can you record what you watch with this? If so how does it work? Thanks.

[Phrasz013]

If you have Vista or Windows 7 (Home premium or Ultimate) you will have windows media center.

IF NOT you can use the WinTV software that comes bundled. It's a decent enough program, but the WMC is more polished and can work with extenders.

Unlike most DVR's or Tivos the HVR only has 1 tuner. Thus you can either watch TV, record, or Watch and record THE SAME CHANNEL. If you want to watch another channel you'll need another card or simply a TV.

Using WMC you'll have a "HVR" with a TV guide.

[guy2weird]

how do you get HD channels through your cable? i have the same card as you do. its been driving me crazy lol

[Phrasz013]

Currently I do not have HD setup (been months since living at this apt).

I have two theories about HD, however the second one is untested:

1)Over the air- simple have a really good outdoor antenna for all local broadcasts. The HD shown is ove rthe air (hence channel numbers in the 1000's)

2)Via cable- The cable "could" be plugged into the ATSC / over the air tuner plug. Anything that is not scrambled "should" show up. YET, most cable companies have scrambled the channels.

[taydan04]

you could try free-to-air satelite

[Phrasz013]

Depends.

To watch all Cable Tv channels when you want, yes you need a card

To watch certain shows on some networks, or using Netflix, no you dont.

[phantom1C4]

uhmm, I have a question, do you need a tuner to be able to watch tv on media center or can you watch through internet?

pls reply.

[TheToastPeople]

you could do what i do and have a seperate computer for that :P

[Phrasz013]

I haven't tried other cards, but it seems like a cheaper card might be a better option.

The card has solid performance as long as you have a decent antenna hooked up. I have a subfloor apartment and a basic set of rabbit ears, so I don't even get all my channels. Sadly, my Tuner in my 32" TV can, but that means I cant record 2 primetime networks.

The main reason I bought the 1600 MCE is for the AV inputs, but even with the packed software the ports don't work.

Lastly, media center is a must.