[mythtv-users] Help with choices for new HDTV card (US)

Marc Nicholas marc at geekythings.com
Fri Dec 24 19:37:51 UTC 2004


Worth also mentioning that most people will be *disappointed* with the
quality of QAM HDTV from most carriers!


-marc


On 12/24/04 9:18 AM, "Doug Larrick" <doug at ties.org> wrote:

> Chuck Lloyd wrote:
>> I'm trying to decide what route to take for HDTV here in the US.
>> I'll be starting with OTA but would like to go to Cable/QAM.
>> 
>> It seems to me there are two choices. The HD-3000 and the
>> ATSC/8VSB HDTV PCI Card (SkyStar Chip?)
>> 
>> What I gather from the specs is that the HD-3000 has a more
>> flexible frontend but the SkyStar chip has less processor load.
>> Because its front-end is more flexible, the possibility exists
>> for the HD-3000 to handle QAM.
>> 
>> Anyone know for sure? Has anyone tried both?
> 
> I would not make any decisions counting on the ability to be able to
> receive HD channels over cable long-term.  The solutions are not in
> place today, and Hollywood, the TV networks, and the cable operators are
> getting less consumer-friendly on a daily basis, it seems.  July 2005 is
> looming; I would not count on much new hardware before then.  Even
> if/when the pcHDTV folks produce a firmware image capable of tuning QAM,
> you are at the mercy of your cable company as to whether they encrypt
> your stations now or in future.
> 
> OTA is a different story because the hardware and standards are in
> place: your local TV station can't require you to have a "cable" box,
> and so must maintain compatibility.
> 
> -Doug
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