DigiTV "record entire transport stream"

[thetan]

Hello,

I've got a question about the DigiTV "record entire TS" feature (only interested in SD). From the Nebula website:

Selecting this option means that if you start a recording, it will record the entire data stream present at the time rather than just the programme you're watching. This is especially useful if two programmes you want to watch are broadcast on BBC1 and BBC2 say, at the same time. Normally you'd gave to choose between them, but using this method you can effectively record both at the same time.

In the Australian context, does this mean you could record multiple (all?) SD channels simultaneously?

You can play back the transport stream in DigiTV exactly as if it was being broadcast at that moment in time by opening the file from the Media Player window or the Media Player Settings tab.

Could you watch a particular program live while it was recording the entire transport stream? (Ie not have to go to silent mode.)

It would be great to be able to watch a channel knowing that you are recording the the others. But then, why would DNTV Live! marketing blurb state: "By using two DVB-t cards, you can now watch one channel while record another"? Does this mean it's only possible with two cards?

Cheers,

-Greg.

[murrayt]

Greg

Ah no.

As the broacasters here (excepting SBS and a while back ABC with Fly-TV) transmit the same content in each multiplex. The transport stream delivers all this for each broadcaster separately, and with one card you get one TS. Who knows later on with multiple card support that may change

However you can record both the the SD and HD (including the AC3 audio track) for later replay if that is what you want.

SBS is a little different as they do broadcast two SD channels as well as the 576p HD (Well ED really)

[thetan]

Thanks murrayt.

So what do you guys do when you want to watch one channel and record the other? Revert to analogue to watch and record in digital? Or do most people have a second (presumably cheaper) card?

Damn, this hobby is getting more and more expensive ...

-Greg.

[joeybloggs]

I think describing watching TV as a hobby is stretching things a bit <wink>

Well as it stands right now, you can't run two Nebula's in the one box so the other card is by definition going to be cheaper Just feel sorry for those Mac users and their El Gato 400's (IIRC ?)

Nebula are meant to be working on a 'seconday' card with analog inputs etc and DigiTV 3.5 is meant to support `dual` cards and playback whilst recording etc but we have been waiting a fair while for all this.They haven't launched their STB yet either, so I reckon they might be fairly busy...

[thetan]

Well, endlessly pfaffing about with computers, codecs, 3rd party software, patches etc must count as a hobby - it's frustrating, time-consuming and you're sure as hell not getting paid for it ...

OK, suppose you did want to watch and record, I don't suppose DigiTV will support that. Best option then - DVICO + VisionPlus + Showshifter? Some other 3rd party software? Wait a month and see what DNTV Live! will do? Or just record with the Nebula and use the antenna pass-through into the telly to watch in analog?

-Greg.

[joeybloggs]

Any of those should be viable. Dvico or VisionPlus or any other BDA card + ShowShifter along with a Nebula + DigiTV. I'm not entirely sure where ShowShifterDVB + BDA stands in terms of HD, AC3 and recording but it seems fine for viewing ~

Wait a month and see what DNTV Live! will do?

Certainly an option. As is waiting a couple / few months and seeing what UltraDTV will do.

Or just record with the Nebula and use the antenna pass-through into the telly to watch in analog?

Certainly the simplest and cheapest option

[murrayt]

These days, buying an STB for SD at least would be a cheap way to use your TV to view a show while DigiTv is recording away happily on you PC

A second PC with a Nebula card and perhaps a dual input monitor would be an option too, just depends on how far you ant to go and how much.