Latest applications and driver updates

Note: the operation of WinTV-HVR-1250 requires two pieces: a WinTV driver/utilities and WinTV applications. We recommend you update both the driver and the application at the same time.
WinTV-HVR-1250 driver and utilities Note: If you have run HCWCLEAR, you must reboot your PC and leave the WinTV-HVR-1250 installed. After a reboot you will see the Found New Hardware Wizard installation message, hit Cancel. then continue below.

To install the driver update:

Installation CD Version 4.6A with WinTV version 6

Note: This is a single file which includes the driver, the driver update, middleware, video decoder and WinTV v6 applications. This file is larger than the individual pieces, but should be easier to install since it is in one file.
Note: this package is for Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Windows Vista.

To install the update:

• Download the file to your computer:
• Unzip this file to a directory you will remember, such as WINTV
• Run Setup.exe, from the unzipped directory.
• Click Step 1. Install Drivers. This will install the base driver. At the completion of the driver install, you should see a message which says Drivers have been updated sucessfully.
• Click Step 2. Install WinTV. This will install the WinTV applications, 'middleware', decoders, TV services and other necessary files.

Note to Media Center users:
If you want to use WinTV to watch and record analog cable TV with Microsoft's Media Center application under Windows XP or Windows Vista, do the following:

When you run Media Center, go to Tasks / Settings / TV / Set Up TV signal
At 'Set Up your TV signal', click Next
At "Regional settings', make sure your region is correct and click Next
At 'Download TV options', click Next.
At "TV Signal', click 'I will configure my TV signal manually' and click Next
You will then see: Cable / Satellite / Antenna. Chose the source of your TV signal (Cable for use with analog cable TV) and click Next.
Click through the rest of the settings, set up your Guide listings and click Finish. Then return to the main menu.

Go to TV + Movies and then live TV to watch and record TV.

Name: cd_4.6a.zip
Version: 4.6A
Size: 29MB
Updated: August 12, 2008

Note to Media Center users:
If you want to use WinTV-HVR-1250 to watch and record analog cable TV with Microsoft's Media Center application under Windows XP or Windows Vista, do the following:

When you run Media Center, go to Tasks / Settings / TV / Set Up TV signal
At 'Set Up your TV signal', click Next
At "Regional settings', make sure your region is correct and click Next
At 'Download TV options', click Next.
At "TV Signal', click 'I will configure my TV signal manually' and click Next
You will then see: Cable / Satellite / Antenna. Chose the source of your TV signal (Cable for use with analog cable TV) and click Next.
Click through the rest of the settings, set up your Guide listings and click Finish. Then return to the main menu.

Go to TV + Movies and then live TV to watch and record TV.

Accessory software for the WinTV-HVR-1250

New! WinTV Digital Signal Strength Indicator

The WinTV Digital Signal Strength indicator displays information about the quality of the digital TV channel you are watching. This application is used with the WinTV v6 application.

Click here for instructions on using this application.

IR Remote control application

IR Remote control version 2.57

Latest version the IR remote control software for the new model Hauppauge remote control. The Hauppauge remote control is an option to the WinTV-HVR-950.

Name: ir32_257_26021.exe
Vesion: 2.57
Updated: Jan. 20, 2008

WinTV-Scheduler update

TV Scheduler version 25_26071.exe

This version allows 'background recording' on dual tuner WinTV products.

This version also supports Hauppauges' Wing, for creating iPod and Sony PSP videos from your standard definition MPEG-2 recordings (note: Wing requires the purchase of a license. For more information, go to http://www.hauppauge.com/site/wing/).

Name: sched25_26071.exe
Size: 3.8Mb
Updated: March 11, 2008

 

Beta test version

Installation CD Version 4.2 with WinTV version 6

Note: This is a single file which includes the driver, the driver update, middleware, video decoder and WinTV v6 applications. This file is larger than the individual pieces, but should be easier to install since it is in one file.
Note: this package is for Windows XP, Windows XP Media Center Edition, and Windows Vista.

To install the update:

• Download the file to your computer:
• Unzip this file to a directory you will remember, such as WINTV
• Run Setup.exe, from the unzipped directory.
• Click Step 1. Install Drivers. This will install the base driver. At the completion of the driver install, you should see a message which says Drivers have been updated sucessfully.
• Click Step 2. Install WinTV. This will install the WinTV applications, 'middleware', decoders, TV services and other necessary files.

Driver version 26017 with fix for PCs with 4GB RAM or more.

Note: 64-bit driver version which will operate in PCs with more than 4GByte of memory.

To install the new driver, unzip this file and then go to either the Install or Install64bit directory and run HcwDriverInstall.exe

File name: hcw85bda_1_27_26017.zip

3rd Party Applications

SageTV: Intelligent PVR Software : SageTV is personal video recording software with an integrated EPG for use with your WinTV-HVR-1250, WinTV-PVR-150 or WinTV-PVR-500. With SageTV, you can pause live TV, rewind and fast forward, and conveniently record your shows. SageTV also provides an Integrated Programming Guide with no subscription fees listing all upcoming programs for the next 14 days based on your cable or satellite provider. SageTV is the only PVR application for the PC that introduces Intelligent Recording and Scheduling based on your past viewing habits. SageTV interacts with your WinTV-PVR to provide you with the ultimate 24/7 PVR application for your PC. SageTV also support the use of multiple WinTV-PVR's, recording multiple channels at once!

SnapStream Beyond TV™ 4 : "Proving that a PC can rival TIVO" !

• Supports the latest Hauppauge TV tuners: Supports the WinTV-HVR-1250, WinTV-PVR-150, WinTV-PVR-150MCE and dual tuner WinTV-PVR-500 with remote control and more.
• Record more than one show at the same time or watch one while recording another with multi-tuner support
• Record an entire TV series Record one show, every episodes, or only new episodes of your favorite show
• Enjoy the full screen interface Choose shows and setup recordings from the comfort of your couch
• Easily find shows using the integrated Electronic Program Guide (EPG)
• Record and watch HDTV shows with over-the-air HD support on the WinTV-HVR-1250
• Skip commercials with SmartSkip™
• Find shows faster with the new browse by category feature, or search by title or keyword
• No subscription fees
• Schedule recordings away from home via the Internet or a web-ready phone
• Download FREE 21-day trial today

WinTV-HVR-1250 QuickInstall Guide

WinTV-HVR-1250 QuickInstall version 1.2
Updated: January 25, 2008

WinTV-HVR-1250 Media Center Kit Quick Install guide

WinTV version 6 users manual for HVR/PVR
Updated: October 15, 2007

Frequently Asked Questions

What Operating Systems are supported by the WinTV-HVR-1250?

System Requirements

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1250 with Media Center?

What type of channels will I receive with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

Can I get HD with the WinTV-HVR-1250 through my Cable or Satellite box?

What type of recordings can I make with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

Can I record one show while watching another with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

Black video window or choppy video when watching a digital TV channel

How do I enable my remote control so it will work with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

How do I add an S-Video or composite video source in the WinTV application?

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1250 with Linux?

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What Operating Systems are supported by the WinTV-HVR-1250?

• Microsoft® Windows® XP, XP Pro or Windows XP Media Center Edition, with Service Pack 2.
• Windows Vista (all versions), 32-bit and 64-bit

System Requirements

• Processor Requirements (minimum):
• 2.2 GHz Intel P4 or equivalent
• Microsoft Windows Vista or Windows XP with Service Pack 2.
  WinTV-HVR-1250 is Windows Vista Premium certified*
• Available PCI Express X1 or X16 slot
• Graphics with 64MB memory (or greater)
• Sound card

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1250 with Media Center?

Yes, the WinTV-HVR-1250 can be used in Windows XP or Vista Media Center.

Simply download and install the latest drivers from the Hauppauge website, which will install the necessary "Hauppauge MCE Soft Encoder".

Please note: you will only be able to configure WinTV-HVR-1250 as either an Digital tuner or an Analog tuner. You will not be able to switch between Digital and Analog channels.

NOTE: You must set up an analog TV tuner in Media Center first before you can proceed to set up a digital tuner.

What type of channels will I receive with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

NTSC Analog CableTV or over-the-air analog TV: You can use your cable TV from the wall to connect to the WinTV-HVR-1250 and receive all of your basic Cable TV channels. You can also use a roof top antenna to receive "over-the-air" TV.

ATSC over-the-air digital TV: Supports all ATSC formats, up to the high definition 1080i format!

ClearQAM cable TV Channels: Clear QAM are unencrypted digital cable TV channels.

NOTE: For ATSC digital TV, a rooftop/out door antenna is recommended for optimal results/signal strength.

NOTE: To save your WinTV channel list, you may save the file HcwChanDB_5.mdb (which is located in the C:\Program Files\WinTV directory) into a temporary folder, and copy this file back into the WinTV directory after any re-installation to preserve your channel list.

Can I get HD with the WinTV-HVR-1250 through my Cable or Satellite box?

No. The WinTV-HVR-1250 has an ATSC over-the-air digital TV tuner built-in and supports all ATSC formats, up to the high definition 1080i format . The WinTV-HVR-1250 will support ATSC broadcasts that are currently being transmitted over-the-air. It will not be able to decode HD broadcasts that come through your cable or satellite box. The HVR 1250 also will support clear QAM cable TV channels through your direct cable TV line if available from your cable TV provider.

What type of recordings can I make with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

With the WinTV-HVR-1250, you can record both analog and digital TV into the MPEG-2 format.

For ATSC and Clear QAM digital TV recordings, the recording format and bit rate is exactly the same as the broadcast format (i.e. ATSC 1080i is recorded at 1080i).

For NTSC analog cable Tv recordings, our SoftPVR is used to create MPEG-2 files

Note: Recordings made with ATSC or ClearQAM signals are not DVD compliant.

Can I record one show while watching another with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

No. The WinTV-HVR-950 will only be able to record the program that is being viewed using the supplied software.

You will not be able to watch a digital channel and record an analog channel simultaneously or vice versa due to the fact there is only a single tuner on the WinTV-HVR-1250.

Black video window or choppy video when watching a digital TV channel

If you are watching a digital TV channel and you see choppy video, no audio or a black screen, then it is possible your PC is not fast enough to decode and play the digital TV channel you are watching.

Digital TV, especially ATSC high definition digital TV, is very CPU intensive. Many graphics cards have special built-in hardware to speed up decoding of high definition TV channels.

On graphics cards without special video decoding features, you can often improve the playback performance by using the Primary.EXE program (this program is installed during the installation of the WinTV driver and can be found in the Hauppauge WinTV group).

Close the WinTV application. The run Primary. Select Allow Overlay. Close Primary and run the WinTV application. Tune to the channel which you were having problems with and see if the video display has improved. (Note: in Primary mode, you cannot use the Snapshot function in the WinTV application).

If not, try the VMR7 setting. Close the WinTV application. The run Primary. Select VMR7. Close Primary and run the WinTV application and see if the video display has improved.

If not, try the VMR9 setting. Close the WinTV application. The run Primary. Select VMR9. Close Primary and run the WinTV application and see if the video display has improved.

You should be able to use one of these modes on most NVidea, ATI and Intel based graphics adapters for high definition digital TV channels.

If you still get choppy video or a black screen, then there is no graphics mode which will work with all high definition programs. You still will be able to watch standard definition digital TV programs.

How do I enable my remote control so it will work with the WinTV-HVR-1250?

Browse your WinTV CD ROM and open the IR32 folder. Double click on the IR32.EXE to install the remote software and restart the computer. This will enable the remote control to work with the WinTV application. Be sure that the IR cable is connected to the IR port on the back of the HVR 1250 board (available on certain models only).

How do I add an S-Video or Composite video source in the WinTV application?

In the WinTV application, click on the Menu button, then click Suite Manager. Choose Sources, and click on Composite source (or S-Video source). In the Channel Name box, type in a name for your video source and click the Save button.

This will create a composite video channel (or S-Video channel) in your channel suite manager.

Can I use the WinTV-HVR-1250 with Linux?

Preliminary support for the HVR1250 in ATSC mode only is available from http://linuxtv.org/hg/v4l-dvb