Want to watch SKY on my PC.

[gee3000]

Guys

I'm getting a sky digi box installed in my room and would like to watch it on my PC (Picture-In-Picture) at good image and sound quality.

Would also like to plug in the odd composite device every now n then preferably at the same time without having to switch cables at the back of my pc.

Which TV-card would you recommend? Never bought one before so I don't know what to trust and avoid. I wouldn't like to spend more than I need to.

If you could please recommend about 3 for me to choose from - Much appreciated

 

[wolvers]

Are you using vista? If so then the Vista Media center will be your friend as it's got an excellent EPG, interface and is easy to set up. If not then there are some free apps like mediaportal that'll do the job but take more work to get set up and working.

You can connect a sky box to a TV card via composite video (one yellow rca) or s-video. Get a windows remote and the VMC program guide will change the channels on the sky box for you via the infra red sender that comes with the remote.

Just make sure you buy a TV card that'll suit your interface type and has analogue video inputs of the type I mentioned above. I have a Hauppauge PVR-150 for this purpose. You may also need a scart adapter if your digibox doesn't have those outputs.

Hope this helps.

 

[fornowagain]

For an unmodified Sky STB the best quality picture is from RGB (Scart). Look for a PCI capture card called a 'Sweetspot'. It can handle multiple inputs from RGB, component, S-video and composite. Not cheap mind.

 

[wolvers]

£125 + VAT!!

Might get one though.

 

[Vertigo]

I use an RGB to S-Video convertor with my PVR-250 card and cable STB - works a treat and picture quality is surprisingly good.

 

[gee3000]

Thanks for your info guys.

I've ordered a cheapo £10 card from ebay just to get the gist of things before jumping straight to an expensive product.

Are you using vista? If so then the Vista Media center will be your friend as it's got an excellent EPG, interface and is easy to set up. If not then there are some free apps like mediaportal that'll do the job but take more work to get set up and working.

You can connect a sky box to a TV card via composite video (one yellow rca) or s-video. Get a windows remote and the VMC program guide will change the channels on the sky box for you via the infra red sender that comes with the remote.

Just make sure you buy a TV card that'll suit your interface type and has analogue video inputs of the type I mentioned above. I have a Hauppauge PVR-150 for this purpose. You may also need a scart adapter if your digibox doesn't have those outputs.

Hope this helps.

This is interesting!

Yes I'm running Vista x64, but have never used Windows Media Centre. Is this possible with most tv cards? What would I need to set this up? A specific remote control and tv card?

 

[Darg]

Anything that can take the yellow RCA cable in will do you. All you need then is an adaptor from SCART to the three RCA cables and an adaptor for the two audio cables to one standard audio jack for your soundcard line-in.

I believe some graphics cards can take RCA in, I know my 2900XT is supposed to be able to as it comes with an adaptor for it but I can't figure out how to see the image as any program like virtual-dub doesnt see the image in.

Mini hi-jack I know but does anyone know how to get this working?

 

[gareth170]

I believe some graphics cards can take RCA in, I know my 2900XT is supposed to be able to as it comes with an adaptor for it but I can't figure out how to see the image as any program like virtual-dub doesnt see the image in.

u need to install ATI T200 Unified AVStream Driver... its a capture driver

 

[Vertigo]

Anything that can take the yellow RCA cable in will do you. All you need then is an adaptor from SCART to the three RCA cables and an adaptor for the two audio cables to one standard audio jack for your soundcard line-in.

The yellow cable is composite which should be your last resort really as the quality is dire compared to RGB or S-Video.