Media Center newbie questions

I'm trying to decide on either XP Media Center or XP Pro. I don't know a thing about MCE, so I have a couple questions about it..

#1, is there some quick/easy way I can just set this up with my cable box, have it record a few things, then disconnect it & take it to go? In other words.. I have Comcast digital (but not HD), and I'd like to basically just put the laptop on top of the entertainment center, plug a cable into it (probably off a digital splitter, so I wouldn't have to disconnect it from the cable box), and set up the laptop to automatically record a show. Is this possible? I hear MCE can record up to three shows at once.. that's pretty impressive.

#2, Once I record something to the laptop, what format is it? Can I transfer it off the HD and watch it on XP Home or XP Pro? Burn to a DVD?

#3, Would this kind of setup be possible: in the living room, one person wants to watch something on TV.. I want to watch something else (or just channel surf). I could plug the coax cable into the laptop, and via the built-in TV tuner, I could watch other channels (digital ones too) while the other person watches whatever they want on the television. Is this something that can be done?

Thanks for any help!

EDIT: One more thing.. in my room, I've got the coax cable coming out of the wall and into a cable modem for Internet access. I COULD get a digital splitter, split that cable, and plug one into the cable modem, and the other into the Media Center laptop, and watch/record TV..correct? (as long as it has a tuner) This wouldn't result in any bandwidth loss, would it?

 

Another Q... do I need a cable box or can I just run the coax right into the Media Center, since the laptop has a TV tuner built in?

 

no i dont belive you need a cable box and yes you can just get a splitter for your cable.

i am unaware what format is the default but im sure you can change it

 

OK. Cuz I just saw on Microsoft's site, it has instructions that say you have to connect from the wall to the cable box, then from the cable box to the Media Center..and then plug in some IR controller (IR blaster) to the Media Center & stick it to the cable box, so the Media Center can change channels. Seems kinda primitive to me. But maybe that's for a Media Center without a TV tuner card in it?

Anyone know for sure?

 

If you require a cable box to watch all the channels you would normally watch on TV, then you do need to run through the cable box before you get to the computer. This is what 'decodes' the signal and allows you to watch all those channels. The tv-tuner built into the computer acts just like the tuner in the tv--it will pick up any unencoded channels on the line. For example, at my house we have 'cable' but are only signed up for the most basic channels--essentially what's called the 'broadcast channels'. We don't need a cable box for anything.

The IR controller is necessary if you want to change the channel on the cable box with your media center remote. I believe that if you just feel like hauling a few remotes around the room with you, its not completely necessary.

Hope this helps

 

Drat.. I hate those IR blasters. The concept of sticking something onto the IR receiver just bugs me for some reason. It seems like with all this technology, we should have a better way of linking up devices like this.

OK, so basically if I get the TV tuner in my dv8000t, it will act like a TV: if I plug it into the cable directly, I get basic cable. If I want the premium digital channels (HBO, etc), I need to connect the HP to the cable box rather than directly to the wall.

Does the dv8000t come with the necessary IR blaster? You say it's not completely necessary if I want to just use a couple remotes..but if Media Center can be programmed to record shows at a given time, the IR blaster would be required, as the PC needs a way to change to the proper channel to record the show.. correct?

 

You may want to check out the HTPC and Cable Hardware forums over at www.AVSForum.com. I want to say that there was a way to connect a PC to the Comcast/Motorola cablebox via firewire, but I'm not sure of all the functionality that it provides.

 

Thanks, I'll check that out

 

It records in .dvr-ms file type. I have found a few programs for free that work, but are kinda complicated (no 'browse' option, you must type the file location in by hand/copy paste) the one I have can remove commercials as well (it leaves some in though...).


My TV Tuner is external, and plugs in via USB. I don't have a cable box, but if you have the cable from the box splitting to your TV and to the laptop, that should work, but I think that you would have to watch the same thing as the tv.

 

1st paragraph -- werd

2nd paragraph -- exactly, to get the premium content you have to go through the IR blaster and cable box. The Express Card TV Tuner will make your laptop a fully functional TV/DVR right out of the box.

3rd paragraph - the Expresscard TV Tuner that they sell separately comes with the Tuner Card, IR Blaster, and an MCE Remote, everything you need to hook up to a cable box.

 

Awesome..so if I add the $130 tuner option to my dv8000t, I'll get the IR blaster and anything else I need. Nice. I will be placing my order tonight!

 

Have fun with it! I know I am enjoying mine immensely. Media Center is awesome, especially when properly set up with the TV Tuner, cable box and a broadband connection. Definitely recommend going through the entire setup, both hardware and software. You might be tempted not to use the IR blaster and hook up your tuner directly to the coax, but you'll be missing out on your premium channels.

Also make sure you go through all the setup wizards, especially your tuner. And definitely set up the Guide, because with it you can hit one button on your remote, browse to the TV show that you want to record and schedule it to record just like that -- you can even pause live TV.

Media Center is super nice if you fully take advantage of it!