TWC - Will QAM Tuner Card Work?

[mhz40]

If you spent some time searching the valuable info the many users have posted here over the years, you would have found the SA 3250 HD.  It's not a DVR, but has a firewire output.  For recording in the digital domain, no other combination exists.

[Joseph S]

The 3250 is  flaky. It doesn't allow the firewire to change the channel like the motorola box or any STB, often requires hard reset/reboot every day to reconnect, has gray sidebars instead of black on all non HD channels, and it too still suffers from 5C on Marc Cuban's channels.

[Mark Strube]

Mhz40... I'm insulted... I have "actually" spent time reading these threads about firewire, and I was aware of the 3250. I am NOT ready to go thru the hassle to obtain one of these (only to find out it might be one of the versions without firewire), and we already have a SD digital box and the 8300HD coupled with the HD package, the digipic 2000 package, AND road runner, there is NO way we could afford the fee for yet another box... which is why I'm upset the 8300 has no firewire port, and if it did it probably wouldn't be active. Also, the 3250 wouldn't even solve the 5C problem which is mainly what I've been writing about in this thread... so unless the 3250 is 5C immune, your comment was useless.  :guns:

[mhz40]

Mhz40... I'm insulted... I have "actually" spent time reading these threads about firewire, and I was aware of the 3250. I am NOT ready to go thru the hassle to obtain one of these (only to find out it might be one of the versions without firewire), and we already have a SD digital box and the 8300HD coupled with the HD package, the digipic 2000 package, AND road runner, there is NO way we could afford the fee for yet another box... which is why I'm upset the 8300 has no firewire port, and if it did it probably wouldn't be active. Also, the 3250 wouldn't even solve the 5C problem which is mainly what I've been writing about in this thread... so unless the 3250 is 5C immune, your comment was useless.  :guns:

Your original post said  

I think if they insist on encrypting channels to maintain control over different programming tiers, they should then at least provide active firewire ports.

IMO, you were representing to the group that in fact, there were no firewire options available.  It's simply not true.  In fact, I think providing a firewire option is a requirement.
Anyway; I understand your frustration.  Specifically, the 8300 does not have firewire, but it does have USB and S-ATA.  It would be nice if some form of archiving were available via these ports... a built-in or add-on DVD burner would be kind of sweet.
Unfortunately, the 8250 firewire set top is simply the plain (and for many, sad) truth right now.  However, I have heard success stories regarding the ability to record to D-VHS (or is it VHS-D?).  It may not be something anyone wants to hear (i.e.: "useless"), but it's the simple fact.
In terms of another fee for another box, you could consider swapping your SD box for the 3250... for what I think should be no additional fee.  It would give you the option to get some long-term storage going outside the constraints of the current DVR situation.
I feel the forums here are filled with good info and facts.  When I read what I perceive as misinformation, I try to correct it with factual information to the best of my knowledge.  When I repeatedly make corrections on the same topics, it can get frustrating  --- like that one nail that sticks out of the drywall every spring.  It's not personal, so please don't take it that way.

Now, where's that hammer?? :Smash:
Cheers
MHz40

[Mark Strube]

Sorry for any misunderstanding... I mentioned encryption, so my frustration was the fact that even if I got a box with firewire, I still could only archive stuff from the HD locals.
I've considered swapping the SD box, however it's the one my mom uses, so everytime I decided I wanted to capture something, I'd have to go in her room and unhook it, and hope there's nothing on she was planning to watch. So I'm kinda stuck at the moment.
Thanks for being helpful!! Didn't mean to get in your face there, it's just a frustrating situation.  :wave: