[mythtv-users] A list of newbie questions - any input is appreciated

[Gabe Knuth]

He's a few things that'll hopefully help out...


"(Why are we not using forums - they are easier to search, and I can more
easily get to them from the network at Intel, where I work!?)"

	Uh oh...here it goes again... :)

"- What about a 7200 RPM 240GB drive? Can that read and write fast  
enough simultaneously?"

	Yeah, should be just fine there.  Just make sure you have DMA turned
on.

"- What is the recommended remote control for the unit - is this listed  
on the MythTV site and I'm just too blind to see it?"

	Two schools of thought there - build your own or use the Hauppauge
one.  I like the Hauppauge one.

"- Can I use different Hauppage capture cards on the same system? (Like  
a 250 and a 350 together)?"
	
	I'm not an expert there, but I recall that the capture portions of
the 	two cards are the same, so I don't think you'll have a problem.

"- Is it easy to transfer recorded broadcasts to my Mac OSX box via the  
network?"

	Should be.

"- Are the fonts (used in the program guide and elsewhere) changeable?  
What is the smallest recommended font size for good clarity on screen?"

	Yes they are, and I have no idea as for size...maybe 16 pt?

"- Does the web interface require a static IP address?"

	Not as long as you know what IP the machine has.



Good luck,
Gabe









Hello

   I'm thinking about dumping about $500 into a Coolermaster ATC-620

http://www.coolermaster.com/index.php? 
LT=english&Language_s=2&url_place=product&p_serial=ATC-620C- 
BX1&other_title=+ATC-620C-BX1+ATC-620

   so that I can built a MythTV box. Before I start spending cash with  
reckless abandon, I have a few questions. I'm sorry for not searching  
the newsletters more, but they are very difficult to navigate. (Why are  
we not using forums - they are easier to search, and I can more easily  
get to them from the network at Intel, where I work!?)

Anyway, on with the show!



- Can MythTV control my DirecTV box (or a cable box) with the right  
hardware/cables (changing channels and such)? Any direction here?

- Is a P4 1.8GHz going to be fast enough to do everything with two or  
three PVR-350s simultaneously capturing and viewing video? (I'd like to  
hook up 3 cards in a perfect world so that I can have an extra input  
for external devices i.e. video cameras or video from my G4.

- What about a 7200 RPM 240GB drive? Can that read and write fast  
enough simultaneously?

- Will I easily be able to create my own menu/DVD backgrounds and  
graphics? I'd be more than happy to share them with the community. I'm  
no programmer, but I am a broadcast UI designer.

- Can the commercial detection be turned around to record ONLY  
commercials? I realize that this is a strange request, but it's a hobby  
of mine.

- Can I decide what format a given show is encoded to? (i.e. Enterprise  
in MPEG4, and West Wing in MPEG2, one after the other)?

- What is the recommended remote control for the unit - is this listed  
on the MythTV site and I'm just too blind to see it?

- Is there a dial PIP option if I have 3 capture cards?

- Can I use different Hauppage capture cards on the same system? (Like  
a 250 and a 350 together)?

- Is it easy to transfer recorded broadcasts to my Mac OSX box via the  
network?

- Are the fonts (used in the program guide and elsewhere) changeable?  
What is the smallest recommended font size for good clarity on screen?

- Does the web interface require a static IP address?

- Does Myth TV also share audio through the web connection (Like an  
icecast server)?

- Is Vorbis REQUIRED? What if all my audio is MP3? Do I need to install  
it?

- What about AC3?

   thanks for your help (in advance). I'm fairly new to the world of  
Linux, but I'm a quick learner. I hope to get up and running in the  
next few months and then I'll start answering questions here!

Thanks,

-------------------Steve