[mythtv-users] Composite Only capture card?

[Stephen Atkins]

I've run into a problem with using the s-video/composite with mythtv.  Basically
I would like to connect the video recorder to the s-video/composite and
watch/record whats on the camera.  But I don't know of a way to do this with out
connecting a channel list to the input.  This makes it difficult to record.  Or
am I missing something here?

Stephen

> -----Original Message-----
> From: mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org
> [mailto:mythtv-users-bounces at mythtv.org]On Behalf Of Michael T. Dean
> Sent: Monday, July 26, 2004 11:58 AM
> To: Discussion about mythtv
> Subject: Re: [mythtv-users] Composite Only capture card?
>
>
> Kevin Kuphal wrote:
>
> > Cuddles -- "Soft and furry, but I've got CLAWS!" wrote:
> >
> >> Ok folks. I'm thinking about adding a second tv card to my system,
> >> but what I'm wanting is composite-in only. Anyone know if there's
> >> such an animal out there?
> >
> > ...
> > Second, why? You can easily pick up a composite to s-video converter
> > for next to nothing and then you don't limit your selection of cards.
>
> My guess is he's looking for a card without a tuner (to save money,
> perhaps?). If so, you'll be hard pressed to find one. An NTSC/PAL/SECAM
> (i.e. analog) tuner is extremely inexpensive these days (reference all
> the frame-grabber-type tuner cards for less than $30--including
> manufacturer and retailer markup and all the other required components
> of a frame grabber). Therefore, even if a manufacturer decided to make a
> card without a tuner, the manufacturing cost would be nearly identical
> to that of a card with a tuner, so the manufacturers all include tuners
> as well as S-Video and/or Composite inputs. Doing so makes the marketing
> guys' jobs easier.
>
> /me steps on soapbox
> Note that the same does not apply for digital tuners. The estimates of
> the cost of adding a digital tuner to a device vary widely. For example,
> the FCC estimates that by the time their "all digital tuners" mandate
> comes into force (2007), the requirement to include a digital tuner will
> add about $16 to the cost of a new set. Consumer electronics makers
> disagree: they estimate its cost will be significantly higher. Depending
> on which maker you ask, you'll get claims of cost increases from $50 to
> $100 ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A61752-2002Aug8 ), to
> $250 ( http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,54426,00.html and
> http://www.guidetohometheater.com/news/11362/ and
> http://www.cato.org/dailys/08-20-02.html ), or, from the mouth of the
> Consumer Electronics Association itself, "hundreds of dollars" (
> http://www.ce.org/publications/vision/2001/mayjun/p07.asp?bc=dept&depa
rtment_id=5
).

To make matters worse, the FCC is taking a phased approach to
implementing the law (
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/abernathy/news/dtv.html )

Screen Size Deadline
36" + 50% of all manufacturers’ products by July 1, 2004; 100% by July
1, 2005
25" to 35" 50% of all manufacturers’ products by July 1, 2005; 100% by
July 1, 2006
13" to 24" 100% by July 1, 2007

Since the first thing 85% of US households do when they purchase a new
TV is disable its tuner (because they're using inputs from cable or
satellite boxes), you've got to love the idea of spending money (even if
it is "only" $16, that's enough for a pretty nice meal at a restaurant)
on something you don't want or need. Even with these "over-the-air"
digital tuners, consumers will still need to use cable or satellite
boxes to receive programming from a cable or satellite company.

Mike