Hello,

I already have a video server that I use for all my video needs but would like to incorporate live video to the server enviroment.

I really dont know of the possibility but my idea is this:
1. Install an hd video capture card into my server.

2. Connect my cable box to my capture card in my server
I cant get a tuner card because Im in Japan and the cable companies here dont have that system. If I want cable I need a cable box.

3. install an ir blaster to controle my cable box from other rooms.

4. stream live tv to my media pc's around the house via cabled ethernet with xbmbc.

Is this possible? My main concern is if I can controle my tuner card through another computer.

My server is running Gentoo x64. My media pc's are running windows 7 with xbmc.

Anyone have any ideas on this?

I do not see why this would be impossible. I cannot suggest any specific packages as I have never attempted something like this using linux, but be aware of capture card drivers in linux. Be very thorough with your research. If on the other hand you have some money to spend, a slingbox is a small device that does exactly what you have described.

Thank you very much for the slingbox idea. I'll take a look at it. If that captures hd with hdmi then it would be the easiest way to go.

I think the slingbox would be great for japan. I live in japan too, and am subscribed to JCOM. What you would do is plug the decoder into the slingbox and the slingbox has a ir blaster. You select channels with a software remote on your desktop and it will send the required commands to the decoder. It is managed with a web interface I would presume, but I have read about many people having great success viewing their favorite channels back home while being abroad over the net.

For HD you will have to get a slightly more expensive slingbox.
Good luck.

Have you looked at the SiliconDust products?