HDTV to PC

[Nixie]

I am in Canada, and all cable providers here are required to encrypt all of their digital channels. Now, I don't want to have a standalone HDTV set; I want to watch HDTV on my PC's monitor. I have a Dvico HDTV Fusion5 Gold, but there's no off-the air ATSC broadcast I can get in Vancouver, and though the card can handle cable's QAM format, it cannot decrypt it. I have not seen any HDTV capture card that will handle encrypted QAM.

So my question is how to view HD content on my PC. If I subscribe to the cable company and get their set top box, I don't know how I can view the output on my computer as I don't see any reasonably priced card that will take HD component or DVI.

I've seen hardware that will modulate the output signal of a into ATSC or unencrypted QAM so then I could just use my capture card, but such hardware is either very expensive, or available as modules with lots of DIY required to make into a complete device (which wouldn't mind doing, if only there was clear information on how to put it together).

So, what are my best options? Someone told me I should be able to connect DVI to the capture card's internal bus, but I didn't find much info on that.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Buy a TV - it's crap watching television on a PC!.

[Nixie]

Please, that's not the advice I was looking for. I'm used to watching TV on my PC, and I didn't post here to get criticisms of my habits.

Anyone have any helpful suggestions?

[AndrewT]

Hi,
is HDTV already being broadcast in Canada?

The UK satellite service is due to start a restricted service soon but no-one else here in the near future.

I saw a demo in my local store but they were using a special demo DVD disc and a loaned player that was obviously a prototype to allow HDTV signals into the demo screen.

Seems we are a long way from cheap HDTV in the UK. But technology will catch up (from China) eventually.

[Hayden]

I’m watching hdtv on my pc now the hdtv card is the best thing I have ever done!!! stuff watching anything else I fix electronics goods for a job I have seen hundreds of hd tv boxes and tv’s like hi-end plasma, lcd, crt ,rear projection etc….most are just crap the fail rate is ludicrous. I haven’t seen a good picture yet other than now on my pc!!! Way better than DVD quality.

and I don't even have a hi-end card either

[Hayden]

Btw why is it encrypted? The HDTV in Australia is free air except its HD digital

[Nixie]

There is virtually no off-the air HDTV in most of the country here. Cable providers are by law required to encrypt ALL of their digital channels.

[pinkmouse]

Does it actually have to run through your PC? Can't you just plug the SDI straight into your monitor?

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally posted by AndrewT

The UK satellite service is due to start a restricted service soon but no-one else here in the near future.

Transmissions have already started, but boxes haven't been released to the public (or the trade!) yet. We're currently pre-registering customers who have expressed an interest.

I saw a demo in my local store but they were using a special demo DVD disc and a loaned player that was obviously a prototype to allow HDTV signals into the demo screen.

We've had live (non-UK) HD programmes in the shop where I work since last year, and we also have a Sony demonstration DVD (actually a minimum computer system supplied by Sony, that has HDMI out).

The Sony demo is absolutely amazing! - because it's not compressed, and it's got to be seen to be believed! - broadcast pictures won't be as good!.

Seems we are a long way from cheap HDTV in the UK. But technology will catch up (from China) eventually.

I don't think HDTV is cheap ANYWHERE!, and in the UK regulations and standards tend to keep prices higher. As for China, I think everyone knows the kind of quality that comes from China!.

As for actual broadcasts, you need to consider the requirements!, only satellite and cable really have the available bandwidth to do it. Or would you prefer to lose the five terrestrial channels and have them replaced by one HD channel? - that's the ratio it takes!.

Currently in the UK only Sky TV have announced an HD service, which will require a new Sky+HD PVR box to work, plus an HD ready TV, either Plasma, LCD, or LCD projection.

[Kram]

Hello Nixie,

You could try looking at this forum http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/ , its mostly USA based stuff i think but there will probably be loads of Canadian cable customers on there as well who may be able to help you better than people can on this forum as its more specific.

Im not sure if i should say this but it is possable in europe to view encrypted satellite transmissions on your PC either by buying viewing cards for the provider you wish to view, or by searching the net for a few seconds and figuring out how to do it for free. Maybe there is software available like that in canada.

Anyway, hope the AVS forum proves helpfull.

Mark