stream HD content over ethernet from cablecard tuner to media center extenders

[ozk649]

I apologize if this has been posted before or if I sound stupid asking these questions but I am a newbie and in desperate need of help with my home streaming set up.

I am planning to ditch my cable box, and use a PC with a cablecard tuner to stream to media center extenders connected to my PC over ethernet.
My question, in order to stream HD content over ethernet, do I need to have a very strong video card on the PC where the tv tuner is installed? I am not going to connect the PC itself to the TV or monitor, but just use it as a streaming server.

The PC has an Intel i5 2.8 GHz processor with 6 GB of RAM and not very good onboard Graphics and audio components. I am planning to install the new CETON infinity Quad H Tuner with CABLECARD in it.

I will use either Windows Media Center, Nero Home or VLC for streaming to media center extenders around the house, (I have a PS3 and DLink extender)

Do you think this set up will work? I am tired of paying for the stupid cable box every month when its really a piece of crap and I hate it.

Any advice here would be much appreciated.

I must be missing something, but I don't really understand what exactly you' trying to achieve. Will you save anything by replacing your cable box with your PC cablecard tuner?

I use Philips Digital Satellite Splitter SDW5012o/17 to split my cable TV signal. I pay for one TV only and watch my cable TV on my 3 TVs and on a PC using a TV Tuner. I don't need my PC to be turned on to watch my cable TV (besides I don't need to rely on Windows and Windows Media Center). I'm absolutely satisfied with the quality the splitter provides.

I do record TV programs using a PC TV Tuner. I do prefer to use a mouse and to change recording settings for every program. While I do believe many people prefer to use a remote control to record TV shows.

If you want to save some money, you can watch over-the-air (OTA) TV. TViX R-2210 is a good way to replace your cable DVR. It allows to record HD programs the same way a cable DVR does.

Your computer is very powerful. As you are not going to connect your PC to TV or monitor directly, but just use it as a streaming server, I suggest you to try to stream content without any expensive graphics cards. Some graphics card do allow to decode video without using your CPU, but I'm not sure whether this functionality can be used when streaming content to a network.

Hope this was helpful.

Wow D-Link DSM-750 Wireless HD Dualband Draft 802.11n Media Center Extender costs $400.

[ozk649]

Thanks for the response SR.
The deal is I have cable channels that are subscriber or scrambled and I cannot get them without a Dvr or cablebox unless I get a cablecard tv tuner. The new cetin card is a quad tuner and I'll save not only 16 bucks a month I am paying stupid comcast for dvr rental but Also be able to view cable in multiple rooms through streaming. All I need is that card since I already have this pc laying around in the house and I can install the card in it.
Besides it helps with clutter around the tv as well if I can stream to Ps3 all I need there is the ps3 as a media server, cablebox and blu Ray player.

I know the dlink box is expensive so I'll probably go for another ps3.
I know it's a bit complicated and expensive setup but for the sheer convenience of having just one remote and one box attached to the tv and the fact I dint have to deal with the stupid cable copmany box, it's worth it.