Amazon has the Hauppauge HD PVR High Definition Personal Video Recorder 1212 USB 2.0 Interface for $160 with free shipping. Built-in hardware H.264 high definition encoder for high performance, high quality TV recordings.
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I picked this up for $200 a year ago, and it's still one of the most essential pieces of electronics that I own. In my case, I have it hooked up to my Dish DVR, and use it to capture HD recordings. True, it's a lossy conversion from digital to analog, but the end product is usually a 4GB 720p digital file (h264 codec) -- which is considerably smaller than the original recording. One of the features I really appreciate is that it preserves the 5.1 audio. Eventually the captured files end up on a PC media server and get played back via Tversity using a PS3 over a wireless 11n connection.
It doesn't have HDMI input? "Record from VCR..." what is a VCR? lol they really should update this thing with hdmi input.. some cable boxes don't even have component output anymore..
Hope this works better than my Hauppage 1800 that gives me terrible video when used with the Comcast SD encrypted channels. The Comcast clear QAM channels are perfect and sharp...I don't understand what the issue is
Too much trouble messing with this. Spend all day capturing and converting.
AFAIK there isn't an HDMI capture device on the market. Or at least I haven't found one yet. It's true though that I lucked out: the Dish receiver has both HDMI and component, and you can output to both at the same time.
#4 You're absolutely right. The only thing I don't like is I have to capture in real time -- I usually set it to transfer to my laptop overnight. For those with an HTPC, though, the Hauppauge integrates with Media Center and so you can set a recording in advance it will tune to the target channel and capture it live to your PC in one step.
Anybody selling a "non-compliant" HDMI device will quickly receive a cease and desist letter and probable lawsuit for damages. It falls under the DMCA. The media cartels are good at rigging the system against the consumer. As usual, DRM continues to limit the law-abiding consumer but doesn't do a damn thing to stop piracy. 1080P Blue Ray movies are available for free download at many sites.