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View Full Version : htpc and satellite. HELP *long with cliffs*


FyreDaug
04-13-07, 03:16 PM
PROLOG:The time has come where my digital tv from Shaw promo has expired. I was getting a wicked deal and the price has now gone way up. I called them today hoping to make a deal with them saying how im willing to cancel all services if we compromise a little on the deal. Im not gonna go too into it, but they didnt take my offer that Id pay the same as I was, but removing all the **** I never even watch, including the movie channels (movies are ON the computer) but they gave me some excuse, so we cancelled it. They were pretty solid and I usually have this way with people. Oh well, time for satellite.


So im looking to this hauppauge stuff, and iirc when I was looking into this before, there were 2 different units basically, one for cable and one for dish. They seem to go for about $120.

I'm also looking into a way to take advantage of this computer. Its still a decent quality system. Athlon 3000 with 256ddr (had 768 when it wasnt an HTPC, meaning I still have that other 512 kicking around). 9800 all in wonder, high end auzentech sound card and a ****ton of storage. My boss knows a guy who works for a satelite company and would be able to get me a dish and hookup to the inside of my house for real cheap. I just wouldnt get a reciever, as Id use the computer for that.

How can I get it set up to decode a satelite signal? Could my boss's buddy help me with that or can I do it myself with software and stuff? Im definately far from computer illiterate, but this is the first htpc ive done and ive never even had satelite in my life

So basically im looking at purchasing a hauppauge card, a dish, some beer and maybe some software? What do I need to learn to do this, should I use a unix base?


who decode satellite on their computer?


CLIFFS:
me = smart with teh computers
first htpc ive done, and never had satellite before
have a good system im running as an htpc
want to take advantage of that system by decoding satellite
know a guy who works at dish company, will get me a dish
buy hauppauge card
need to know what I need to learn to accomplish this, should I use a unix os?
???
???
free satellite

Mr. Roboto
04-14-07, 11:10 AM
I don't think you can get the computer to decode the signal, you need the box.

Regardless, this isn't exactly legal, since you're effectively stealing tv.

Diggrr
04-14-07, 11:22 AM
I watch the dish on my PC, but I pay for the service. And i use a receiver.
It's just a matter of hooking your PC up in-place of your television through a tv card, I use the RCA jacks for audio and the S-video plug for the video, the outputs are on the tuner box.

The dish service uses an encrypted signal, and the card in the receiver contains the encryption key.
Buy the service. It's easy from there.

BTW, there's no free ride, and here is not the place to get info on stealing....it'll get you a "vacation".

FyreDaug
04-14-07, 02:40 PM
I was just seeing if it were an option. Im not actively trying to steal satellite. I just figured I wouldnt need their services to get it set up (ie, paying for the box etc)

like I can pay for the service, and im sure I can get a deal from the guy who works there. But theres no way to decode a signal on the computer?

Mr. Roboto
04-14-07, 06:40 PM
Well, in your little list up there, you list free dish....then free sattelite at the end. Sounds to me like you fully waned to get it for free. And besides, why would you install a dish inside your house if you weren't trying to hide it from prying eyes? Besides, when you pay for sattellite subscription, they usually give you a free box. You only have to pay for others beyond the one.

FyreDaug
04-14-07, 10:55 PM
lol I did the "free satellite" thing at the end as a joke. The dish could be provided for real cheap. sorry if im misleading the intent of this thread was to find out if my computer can be used as a reciever

Captain Slug
04-14-07, 11:36 PM
But theres no way to decode a signal on the computer?
Correct. Such a card would be ungoldly expensive. I've seen maybe two models and bother were professional level cards not meant for HTPC use.
You need a receiver, and a means of controlling the channel changing on the receiver. Either by infrared (Best to get the MCE remote and use that), or by serial through a "Home Control" port (only certain models of DirecTV receivers).
http://www.dtvcontrol.com

Mr. Roboto
04-15-07, 07:30 PM
lol I did the "free satellite" thing at the end as a joke. The dish could be provided for real cheap. sorry if im misleading the intent of this thread was to find out if my computer can be used as a reciever

Well, to answer your question, no, you cannot. I still don't gut why you want the dish installed inside your house though, don't you need an unobstructed view of the southern sky?

The_Jizzler
04-16-07, 11:06 AM
what about FTA (http://www.ftasatellitesource.com/)? thats free satellite.

FyreDaug
04-16-07, 12:06 PM
lol I didnt say it was going to be installed inside my house.

yeah im also looking into some free to air recievers and seeing what I actually get.