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Getting An MPEG-2 Stream From Digital Cable?

Posted by Cliff on from the can-it-be-done dept.

Alex Perez asks: "I recently moved to an area where AT&T was offering digital cable. I've subscribed to the service and I love it, but I want to find a way to get the MPEG-2 digital video (and some sort of audio) stream out of the decoder (It's a Motorola set-top box) and ultimately into my PC as an MPEG-2 stream so I can record shows in true digital. Technically, I know it's possible. Is this legal for personal use? I can make video tapes of my favorite shows, but the quality is unacceptable in my opinion. What are my options, here? Has anybody else attempted to do this? I'd love to find a way to get a digital video and audio stream, but I don't want to re-invent the wheel."

2 of 18 comments (clear)

  1. Perfectly legal by GeorgeH · · Score: 3

    The supreme court has ruled that time shifting broadcast television is perfectly legal. I don't see how this could be construed as anything other than time shifting, so legally you should be safe. IANAL.

    Now there's just the whole technical problem. I imagine that there's a whole lotta reverse engineering required to pull an MPEG stream out of your coax, so good luck.
    --

    --
    Why can't I moderate something "Wrong" or at least "Grossly Misinformed"?
  2. Maybe this product by goldmeer · · Score: 3

    Have you looked at the Hauppauge WinTV-D card?
    http://www.hauppauge.com/html/products.htm

    It looks like it will do what you want.
    I have used one of their old PCI WinTV cards for a couple of years, and I really like it.
    And No, I don't work for them.

    -Joe