Typically the HD Box will put out a single channel, so while you can split it, you simply get the same channel on both. Often these boxes use a 3 connector cable (left, right, video), a 5 connector cable (left, right, blue, green, red) or HDMI cable. If there is a cable type output, it's only intended for very old TV's that do not have video inputs, I don't think many TV's made in the last 10 years or so, have not had some kind of video input.
Hmm.. thanks for the responses... so what is the best way to get HDTV (via cable, subscribed and paid for) into my PC, and more specifically into something like Windows Media Center? I'd rather not have to use the Roger's box to change channels, ideally I'd like to be able to just plug a cable line into my usb tv tuner so I could use it's custom software, PVR/timeshifting etc.
The only - repeat only - way to watch HDTV from Rogers is using a Rogers box.
The only way to get a Rogers box into your PC is either in standard definition, or if you buy a component HD capture device (the good ones are VERY expensive and the cheap ones have lousy quality). And even if you did buy such a capture card, there is no way to integrate it with MCE.
The only practical way to watch HDTV on a computer in Toronto is using an antenna. And if you don't or can't have an antenna, I strongly suggest biting the bullet and using a Rogers box with a normal television (or a monitor).
As you can see his computer gets HDTV through cable (Shaw) and his Media Center (he uses SageTV which is MCE's only real competitor) can actually make the Shaw box change channels... whoa!
Can you explain a bit more how he's doing this and why we can't do it on Rogers? Does he have a "component HD capture device" that you mentioned previously, or is that built into his Shaw box and lacking on the Rogers ones?
EDIT: I just noticed a post from the author of the video, he says: "I use ATI Theater 650 tuner cards for analogue capture, and use Firewire video capture for the digital/HD channels. Getting the Firewire to work perfectly is not an easy process, but doable with plenty of patience and frequent reference to Sage TV's uer forum :)"
So my question is somewhat answered.. a bit... but I'm still confused about how his PC is controlling the cable box... and how exactly he is using firewire, i assume the shaw box has a firewire port? Do the rogers ones?
Most MCE IR receivers also have an emitter output for controlling sat/cable boxes, he could be using that. Otherwise it's also possible to control a device over a Firewire connection (which I think is something that Sage TV does).
I'm guessing that the Shaw Cable box he has has Firewire for external HDD. Some of the Rogers boxes do as well, but I don't know if Rogers has enabled the ports for use.
It probably varies. There are some that are definitely low quality, but others sound fine. I wouldn't do it for any improved quality though, more for the convenience and ability to get a wider range of stations without interference.
It probably varies. There are some that are definitely low quality, but others sound fine. I wouldn't do it for any improved quality though, more for the convenience and ability to get a wider range of stations without interference.
Thanks for the quick reply! I'll get around to trying the QAM stations eventually but now with your opinion it's not as much of a priority.
I've been following this thread for a while and enjoying the channels in Ottawa and Toronto. (Great job Daniel! Very useful! Thanks!)
I noticed this morning that my channels in Ottawa disappeared completely. All gone. Nothing to reprogram. Anyone else have the same happen to them? Any news?
I'm not sure if the QAM digital radio stations have all be adjusted, but I noticed that they're different than what you have listed in the table. Perhaps they've moved (I wasn't using them before), but during my setup they didn't match what you had. Looks like Galaxy have moved to 71.xx and radio stations to 134.xx.
I'm not sure if the names still match - I gave up after a while because I couldn't be bothered for the limited usage I give it. I think the maxtrax are all gone and everything is Galaxie and Muchmusic.
Love this site though, helped me out huge on my OTA setup and for a few of the QAM audio stations. Thanks a bunch!
Also - what basic rogers service do you need to subscribe to? I have *no* Rogers services, but I do have Teksavvy cable internet (basically resold Rogers internet) so the cable IS hooked up, but filtered I'm sure.
Not clear to me what you are trying to receive. Certainly the hauppage tuner can pick up over the air HD stations and it can receive QAM over cable. The problem with QAM over cable is that there is NO video channels, just a lot of audio or music channels. You will be very disappointed and wasting your time since Rogers removed all cable channels from cable QAM a long time ago.
If you are trying to receive television broadcast stations, then the tuner will need to be hooked up to an antenna, not the cable. If you are in a good location and have an outdoor antenna, you can receive a good dozen or more HD stations. Again, you need to provide more details, where are you located. Are you connecting the tuner to a laptop or desktop???
Sure, let me be clearer. I'm already receiving all the OTA stuff via Windows Media Center (a desktop), a four tuner setup using a Buffalo zip code (I'm in the GTA).
I was just thinking about supplementing with the QAM channels. Is the link to all the radio stations (and I had thought a couple video stations) in the first link of this post still maintained?
Basically I'm thinking of adding a 950q to my Media Center, for QAM, for kicks.
Last edited by byebye_cable on September 20, 2011 10:34.
WOW, four tuners in media center (five with the 950q). The forum leader, Daniel Tonks was maintaining the QAM list... I think he scans it every year or two. Not sure how up to date it is now. Will have to let Daniel answer.
However, you will need to just try it out... not sure what is available on your cable provider. Definitely the hauppage tuner will pick up QAM.... If its possible, I would get the tuner at a place where I could return it if the setup does not work.
I read a while back that in some US cities, cable is forced to carry QAM signals for locally broadcast TV stations. Not sure if this is true now.
Just wanted to note that the list has been brought fully up-to-date. Changes include:
Re-naming of all music channels to their current names (ie. "Gold Rock" becomes "Classic Rock", "Jazz Cafe" becomes "Smooth Jazz", "Ambient" becomes "The Chill Lounge" and so forth). In total 20 channels had their names changed in some way (and I realize this happened a while ago), but I think the only real subject matter change was "Rock and Roll" into "Jukebox Oldies" and "Musique Bout'choux" into "Eclectic Electronic".
Music channels have moved from 93 to 71, and radio channels from 134 to 133. Note that this is for Markham; the exact channel numbers may vary in your area.
Addition of CFZM and CKHC radio stations.
Addition of the Super Sports Pak TV Mix channel.
Addition of a repeating "City News Channel" logo.
Movement of the On Demand promo channels from 72 to 133.
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