mythtv and digital tv

Ben Scott dragonhawk at gmail.com
Wed Jul 23 21:00:55 EDT 2008


On Wed, Jul 23, 2008 at 6:25 PM, Frank DiPrete <fdiprete at comcast.net> wrote:
> It looks like it's time to switch tv service. I am using basic analog
> cable and Comcrap has been eliminating channels from the lineup to use
> the bandwidth for their digital tv service.

  Obtain (e.g., purchase) TVs or other equipment which supports the
CableCARD standard.  Per FCC rule, cable operators are required to
provide a single CableCARD for each cable "outlet", at no additional
cost.  You won't get high definition programming or the additional
channels that Comcast's "digital cable" packages offer, but you'll be
able to tune your existing channels digitally, without giving more
money to Comcast.  No equipment rental, no Comcast set-top box, no
added programming fees.

  Disclaimer: The above may be inaccurate.  But it's what I was told,
and it seemed to check out when I upgraded my TV and TiVo.  I ended up
spending the extra $7/month for the first tier "digital cable" package
to get the high-def and additional channels.  But before they
successfully up-sold me on that, it wasn't going to cost me anything
extra for my first CableCARD.

  (I actually need two CableCARD's for the TiVo model I have.  The
second costs me... $3/month, I think.  The original high-def TiVo
models (of which mine is) do not support M-Cards (Multi-Stream
CableCARDs).  Since the TiVo has two QAM tuners, I need two cards.
The newer high-def TiVo models work with just one M-Card.)

> To sum it up, comcrap customers are forced to pay to solve their
> technical problem.

  How is it their problem?  It's often leading to people buying
additional services from them.  Seems like a win for Comcast.  The
problem is, it's *our* problem.  :-(

> Here's the rub. I'm using a pvr-250 in my mythtv setup and that becomes
> a brick when in any of the 3 scenarios.

  There are some options for QAM tuners (digital cable) that work with
Linux.  The drawback is, anything encrypted by the local cable
operator will not be receivable.  I've been told that most of the
"basic cable" channels in this area are still coming "QAM in the
clear".  As long as that holds true, you should be able to upgrade
your existing MythTV box for QAM and get your existing programming
digitally.  Again, no high-def or extra channels, but no additional
recurring chargers, either.

  The two products which seem to be best for MythTV are:

(1) HDHomeRun, from SiliconDust (http://www.silicondust.com/).  Two
QAM tuners in a small box, attached via Ethernet.  This has a lot of
advantages: No host PC compatibility issues; relatively future-proof;
you can put the tuners far away from your MythTV box if needed.
Disadvantages: Somewhat more expensive; LAN become TV problems.

(2) HD-5500, from pcHDTV (http://www.pchdtv.com/).  PCI card.
Specifically designed to work with Linux.  Microsoft Windows is not
supported.

  Hope this helps,

-- Ben


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