India Broadband Forum

Archer

Can I record TV programs in Big TV ?. Or what is the use of the USB port on the settop box (I saw it on the BigTV's website). I didn't get any information about it from there. I am really curious to know so please reply anyone who have BigTV connection.

Admin

Even I would like to know

Any one... ?

Archer

I am talking about this one:



7. USB: Port for USB device.

Since I don't have a tunercard, it really caught my eyes.

just4kix

First question regarding recording: Yes. You can record programs but only the channel/program that is currently selected on the STB.

USB: I cannot say this for sure. But it could possible serve as a JPEG/MPEG reader and display your still photographs/small video from the USB pen drive to the connected TV.

Apart from that it could be meant for programming the STB, updating the firmware, etc. My DishTV STB has an RS-232C port. This is really old technology.

After looking at the STB, I can say that it is much more advanced than TataSky or DishTV STB.

1. It has Component Video (Y/Pb/Pr) Output. Component Video has the capability of outputing 720p signal quality. If you use component video to connect to TV, you will decidedly get fabulous picture quality. Component video is bettered only by HDMI or DVI.

2. It has coaxial digital out (see number 8 in picture above) that can be used to distribute signal throughout the house.

3. Using USB, it is possible to build a wireless remote sensing circuit. The STB can be stashed away in some obscure corner of the house. The tiny wireless sensor can be located on the ceiling of the hall and concealed wiring can make it completely hidden. The STB remote can switch channels and your guests will exclaim "Magic!!". However, this is guesswork - but I know that this is posssible.

__________________

sb21pro

well as far as recording is concerned you can, if you can watch it on ur pc monitor then you can record it.

Archer

Can I view that recorded video on a computer, burn it to a CD/DVD or just view it on the STB itself. Thanks for the detailed answer just4kix.

So sb21pro are you saying I can view it in a PC( I mean its recorded in a PC viewable format) ?
Is there a limit to ho much you can record ?

sb21pro

after you record it you can do what ever you want, its like a video song.
But make sure the stb can output signal to pc not directly to monitor.
And for your info its done via software so u know how it works.

Archer

You mean I can connect the STB directly to a computer(I don't need to connect a Pen drive). Thanks for the replay. What do you think of the quality of the video they are providing.

just4kix

It is possible to have USB streaming of video. But I am not sure whether this is provided in this particular STB.

For recording Video and converting it to VCD/DVD, it is a process and not necessarily simple. You need hardware and software for the same:

a. An A/D card that converts analog video to digital. This card can be a PCI card in the computer or an external device connected via 1395/Firewire.
b. You need to caputure the incoming video via software such as WinDV or Ulead VideoStudio or Pinnacle, etc. Software is captured in raw Windows AVI format (5 mins of video = 1 GB).
c. You need an encoder to convert the raw AVI to MPEG1 (for VCD) or MPEG2 (for SVCD or DVD).
d. Finally you need to burn the encoded material to VCD or DVD (as a Video CD or Video DVD and not as a data CD or data DVD).

There is also an easier option. Yiu can buy a hard disk recorder which will directly record in MPEG2 and then you can connect it to an external DVD burner to burn a DVD.

Archer

Thanks ! So the easiest way is to use a tuner card.

sb21pro

you know i would say that unless u don't have a tv, do not install a tv on your Pc. believe me its totally useless

i have a tV tuner, but the last time i used it was 8 months ago.

you just cant watch tv while working,

Archer

I only wan't to record TV programs(Music, Movie etc) and view them later or keep them. Could you refer some good quality TV tuner for me (external, or internal). I Googled about this but coudn't find any familiar Company (Manufacturer), who produces TV tuners.

Also can I install a TV tuner (external, or internal) all by myself ? (I only have the experiance of using a PC for 3-4 years).

sampath9848

what is the need of usb port in bigtv

kartee_g

Hi All,

I once tried to connect my pen drive in the USB port. The pen drive got the power and started blinking like it do when it is connected to a PC. And thats it.... Nothing happened after that. I waited and waited for a long time...........
I too was excited to watch the movies and pictures in it.... But finally I got disappointed....


As Just4kix said I think it is only used for service in future.... like installing and updating the firmware...


Reg,

Karthik