sky+ pc connection

LiE · 7 Jul 2006 at 09:24

How do I go about connecting my sky plus box to my pc? thanks.

MuvverRussia · 7 Jul 2006 at 17:25

there is an rs232 port on them, however this is only used for firmware updates.

As far as I know there is no way to access the content on the box using a pc.

Clarkey · 7 Jul 2006 at 17:31

composite video is your only option for capturing the picture, as far as im aware anyway, sky+ doesn't have svideo out and capture cards dont have RGB in.

Tesla · 7 Jul 2006 at 17:39

Clarkey said:
composite video is your only option for capturing the picture, as far as im aware anyway, sky+ doesn't have svideo out and capture cards dont have RGB in.

Wrong, ALL Sky+ boxes have an active Svideo output.

LiE · 7 Jul 2006 at 21:26

I'm not interested in recording anything onto the pc, only watching programmes. What's the easiet method of getting my sky+ to display on my computer screen or through the pc?

Memphis · 7 Jul 2006 at 21:45

msm722 said:
I'm not interested in recording anything onto the pc, only watching programmes. What's the easiet method of getting my sky+ to display on my computer screen or through the pc?

TV card.

Clarkey · 7 Jul 2006 at 22:10

Tesla said:
Wrong, ALL Sky+ boxes have an active Svideo output.

Fair enough, I wasn't aware of that, only have regular sky here.

In that case, you want a Vivo graphics card or a capture card with svideo in, that will provide image quality far superior to composite.

LiE · 7 Jul 2006 at 23:58

I have an x1900xt which has 2 dvi ports and the little black one in the middle, which I'm not sure what it's called? is this capable of doing the job? or will I need a tv card?

Energize · 8 Jul 2006 at 05:06

msm722 said:
I have an x1900xt which has 2 dvi ports and the little black one in the middle, which I'm not sure what it's called? is this capable of doing the job? or will I need a tv card?

You need a capture card. You should get one with scart or svideo inputs.

LiE · 8 Jul 2006 at 09:46

Do you have any links to capture cards?

Tesla · 8 Jul 2006 at 09:57

msm722 said:
Do you have any links to capture cards?

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/TV_Cards.html

LiE · 8 Jul 2006 at 11:16

is this a good choice http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/TV_Cards.html#aGX_2d084_2dLT

and what connection would I need?

Energize · 8 Jul 2006 at 16:52

msm722 said:
is this a good choice http://www.overclockers.co.uk/acatalog/TV_Cards.html#aGX_2d084_2dLT

and what connection would I need?

No it doesnt have svideo.

aelitaman · 9 Jul 2006 at 22:47

If you want to watch sky on your pc and in effect replace your sky box wih your pc you need a TV tuner card and one that has an attachement to plug the sky card (for the encryption card in). There is a great forum at www.avforums.com under entertainment and computers subforum mce, that describes exactly how to do it. You can even get the free BBC HD channel as well if you have a powerful enough computer to de-interlace a 20mbit feed.

Energize · 9 Jul 2006 at 23:06

Yes but the sky modification is illegal.

Abyss · 10 Jul 2006 at 00:14

msm722 said:
I have an x1900xt which has 2 dvi ports and the little black one in the middle, which I'm not sure what it's called? is this capable of doing the job? or will I need a tv card?

does the "little black one in the middle" look like the pic on the left of this page? http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/S-Video

MrM3 · 10 Jul 2006 at 08:08

you want an analogue tv card such as the hauppauge PVR150 it has svideo IN and stereo in... do not forget the sound !

Energize · 10 Jul 2006 at 17:26

Most sound cards have line in anyway.

csmager · 10 Jul 2006 at 18:00

Energize said:
Yes but the sky modification is illegal.

Certainly unsupported, but I doubt there's anything illegal about it.