General Hardware and Software

[johnschlund]

My computer has Windows 7 home premium with the media center program, and I want to know if I can import the cable box tv signal using the composite video output via a video capture card (e.g. Diamond video capture card).  There is a comcast article titled "How to connect a set-top box or digital adaptor(DTA) to a media center PC" but it references using the cable (coax) out input going to the computer rather than the composite video out.  I would like to use the composite video out so I can leave the cable out connected to my tv, so I can both watch the show and record it to my computer's hard drive at the same time.  Also, do I need or should I have a "media center remote(version 2)" to navigate the media center program in order to simplify recording and playback from my computer's hard drive?  I don't record a lot of shows and I'm trying to do this without renting a comcast dvr box.  Thanks for any help you can give me. John

[chester4]

did you find a solution?  I am having the same problem.  Only 19 of the 891 channels are recognized. 

[JayInAlg]

19 channels would be expected to be still broadcast in the clear.  Most systems have all but the clearQAM digital channels encrypted.  Many systems are having the remaining limited basic analog channels removed.

So depending on what type of tuner you have in your PC, would determine if you still can receiver any remaining analog or digital limited basic channels.

Anything more, you will need to purchase a cable card TV tuner from Hauppauge, Silicon Dust or Ceton, and add a Comcast supplied cable card to receive encypted digital channels carried on your Digital TV package.