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Sky+ and HTPC


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Old 25-09-2008, 16:08
Billcoster
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I have built a HTPC which is connected to my sky+ box.
I want to copy sky programs to my HTPC.
I have installed this card:

http://www.msicomputer.co.uk/index.p...maincat_no=132

However I am having problems setting it up.

I have connected the s-video from the card to the s-video on the sky+ box. I Ihave a Sony HD TV (with freeview, but don't use the freeview as I have no indoor or outdoor aerial to pick up the channels). I have not connected the very tiny aerial which came with the card as I am quite happy to rely on the sky progrms, and in any event I dont think the supplied aerial (which is about 4" high) would do the job and pick up 'worldwide' channels.

When going into TV set-up I have a choice between either analogue or digital. Whichever one I choose makes no difference as when I go into 'scan' no channels are found. The set-up also tells me to switch off the DVR. I presumethis means the sky+ box, which I switch off, but surely if the sky+box is switched off it cant input any channels!

I have installed the latest drivers, but still the problem persists. I also get a couple of other errors, and really dont know quite what to do.

Has anyone out there any ideas to resolve the issue.

Thanks.
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Old 25-09-2008, 16:30
Lurch
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What are you scanning on, the HTPC or the TV? The TV connection seems to have been omitted or, am I missing something?

You don't need to scan anyway, just select the appropriate input, probably. I'm confused about your setup and what you're doing exactly.
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Old 25-09-2008, 17:16
Billcoster
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You're confused! What about me

My set up is an HTPC, comprising an Antec Fusion PC, a Yamaha AV Receiver, a sky+ box and my Sony HD TV.

What I now want to do is, basically, copy TV pograms to the hard drive on the computer and I thought all I had to do was instal a TV card and connect the s-video between the card and the sky+. with a quick set up.

Appears not
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Old 25-09-2008, 18:04
Lurch
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Don't know about the specifics of the copying from the Sky+ box, but you shouldn't need to scan for channels, just select the S-Video input in your software.
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Old 25-09-2008, 19:00
clockworks999
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Did the card come with video capture software - you probably need to run that, and select the S-Video input as the source.
As Lurch said, forget about scanning - that's for tuning in TV stations via the aerial socket.

You might need to enable the S-Video output on your Sky box - I can't remember if it needs setting up.

I found it much easier to use a DVD recorder to capture the programmes from the Sky box, then copy the DVD onto my computer.
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Old 26-09-2008, 09:24
Billcoster
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Yep, I've installed the drivers etc and selected s-video as he source.

Couln't find anything to say I have to enable s-video on the sky+ box and in fact couldn't find anything on the sky+ set-up which refers to enabling s-video.

I appreciate what you say about a DVD recorder but the whole purpose of the HTPC is for a 'media centre'.

Back to you.
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Old 26-09-2008, 17:24
clockworks999
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I was probably thinking of a setting that allows you to switch between RGB and S-Video on the TV scart socket.

Try connecting the Sky S-Video to your TV - that'll prove that the Sky box and cable are working OK.

Assuming that you get the S-Video working, don't forget that you'll need extra cables to record the sound. I assume that you are using the optical output of the Sky box to feed your AV amp, so the analogue outputs are free?
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Old 01-10-2008, 15:38
Billcoster
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I seem to be getting nowhere.
I have re-installed the tv card and software.
I realise I can't scan for channels but when I
enter set-up I am met with "please close DTVR first".
Dont know what this means.
I also get an "invalid floating point error".
Dont know what this means either.
Have 'googled' both but no assistance found.
I went on the MSI User Forum and one of the Moderators is telling me this:

I'm pretty sure that the Sky+ box won't work with that card (or any other card for that matter).

If you're lucky, you can use the S-video connector to connect to the TV@nywhere card, but you won't be able to use the card to scan for channels, you'll need to change channel manually on the Sky+ box, as the TV@anywhere card will only capture S-video input.

But I'm pretty sure that the Sky+ box output will be protected, in which case the capture card won't be able to capture anything.


So many differing opinions. Shall I give up and get my money back? Should I try another tv card? Should I stick to my day job?

Surely what I plan to do is possible in this day and age.
Solutions in words of one sylable please
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Old 01-10-2008, 15:47
clockworks999
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"Close DTVR" probably means that the program is already trying to record something - I'm guessing that DTVR stands for digital TV recorder. Try rebooting your PC.

The S-Video output from Sky+ isn't protected - it can be recorded using a VCR or DVD recorder.

Did you try connecting the S-Video output from your Sky box to your TV to check that you're getting a signal on the cable?
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