Wide World of Women

My main issue with it is you can't record a separate program from what you're watching. As far as what I've read, whatever is on the screen of your television is what is being recorded. There has to be a way around that, doesn't there? What if someone else in the house wants to watch something, then that is what gets recorded. If there's only one HDTV in the house you can't expect everyone to sit through the programs you're recording. Given that situation, will I have to get a PVR with 2 tuners?

I plan on using an HD cable box with built in DVR with the HD PVR to capture an HDTV. HD PVR users, can you help me understand this?

The only workaround I can think of is getting 2 STB's with one going to the HDPVR and one to the computer.

Well the PVR is going to be connected to the computer via USB. Do you mean have the STB connected to the TV for regular viewing, then a second STB with the PVR connected?

Edit: I'll probably have to get a dual tuner.

Yes, 1 STB to the HDPVR to your computer, and the other STB directly to your TV. As far as I know the Hauppauge HD PVR has 1 input. If you have anything with 2 tuners, you will need 2 sources (STB, DVR, etc.) to connect to. Or are we saying the same thing in different wording.

I might understand, here's a picture if my wording was confusing.

I have an HD DVR from Verizon and if I set a program to record it will record.
However if I forget the recording is happening and record something by hand during the original program recording time, then both shows get recorded.

Does that make sense

I've thought about this more, and maybe I'm making it harder than it is. The TV will have 1 HD tuner, but my STB has 2. That's where the PVR will be hooked up through, not the TV. Couldn't I just set it to record a certain program, switch to the other program I want to watch with a remote?

What type of STB do you have that has 2 tuners? BTW, your diagram was what I was meaning. I had a similar setup with my computer & TV to record and be able to watch something different. If you set it up that way be careful with the remotes as not to switch the channel on both STB's. Keep the recording IR sensor covered with cut index card and some scotch tape.

Thanks for reply. Motorola DCX3400 is the model. I'm just trying to confirm if having the PVR hooked up to the cable box that has 2 tuners, you would be able to flip channels around on the other tuner without interfering with the recording program.

Oh that's a DVR. By STB I meant regular set top box that doesn't record. The answer to your question is no. You can only record what is being played to the HDPVR so if you start flipping channels it will record exactly that. If it has 2 outputs then it's possible to output one to the TV and one to the computer, but I've never seen any DVR like that.

Why don't you just split your time with recording and watching? Whenever I'm archiving movies or entire TV shows, I just set the HDPVR on timer when I'm doing other things. Before I go for a run I'll set an episode of Mythbusters, and by the time I get back it's done recording. The other option would be to get another STB or DVR. An extra DVR seems like overkill and with an STB you will only be able to watch and record live.

Another idea would be to see if you could setup a multi-room option, but keep it all in the same room. That's presuming you can use the DVR on 2 TV's at a time.

So the PVR records whatever is on the screen? Even watching on the other tuner will affect it? What do you mean by output(HDMI,Component)?

I'm sorry for all the confusion, I'm just trying to plan ahead.

What I'm trying to say is that unless you can playback different video to 2 different TV's there's no way to record any show other than what you are watching. HDPVR works like a VCR or DVD recorder. You can only record what is being played at the time. It's not like DVR where you can record one show and watch another.

If it's really a problem then get another STB to record with. You can watch whatever you want on your DVR while you record live shows on your computer with the HDPVR.