[mythtv-users] To TiVo or mythTV it

[David George]

On 11/10/2004 12:24 PM, Rich wrote:

>Not new to Linux but very new to PVR.  I have some questions that I can
>not seem to find answers to, short side of buying and trying.
>
>1. Is there a straight to the point running document that compares the
>functionality and ability differences between TiVo and mythTV?
>  
>
Don't know.

>2. Now for a loaded question.  For those that have gone the mythTV route. 
>If you walked into COSTCO and saw a Series2 TiVo 80hr box sitting there
>for $268 with a $100 rebate would you have rather bought that or dumped
>$1200 into a Linux mythTV box?  Would your wife agree?
>  
>
I changed from TiVo to Myth because of the extra features and because I 
am a Linux geek that doesn't like to be limited by a single company's 
vision.  That being said, I loved my TiVo and recommended it to everyone 
that showed the slightest interest.  TiVo has a lot of little nice 
features, but Myth is gaining on those.  Myth has a lot of *big* nice 
features, like DVD playing, music library, video library, tons of other 
things.  Myth is open-source and supports user written plugins.  TiVo is 
open-source on a closed box.  Don't get me wrong, I did a lot of things 
on my TiVo (280 hours) that the factory didn't support (I even had 
ethernet on my series 1), but Myth is definitely more expandable and 
extendable.

>3. HD-2000 vs. HD-3000.  I realize many may not have the 3000 yet but this
>might be best answered by those that have used the 2000.  Why buy the 3000
>when the 2000 has two coaxal reception ports?
>  
>
Because only the 3000 is available now.  The HD-2000 two port could also 
only record from one at a time, so it isn't as big a deal as one might 
think.

>4. On the surface it looks like there are more PVR vs. pcHDTV cards in
>use.  Any opinions as to why?
>  
>
Not sure what you are asking.  If your question is there are more PVR 
than pcHDTV, it is because most people are still using standard def TV.  
If you are asking there is a larger variety of PVR cards vs. HDTV 
cards.  It is because of corporate decisions at the other HDTV cards 
which only support Windows and not Linux.  Also, because pcHDTV started 
with Linux support and only supports Linux I will support them before 
any new manufacturer that adds Linux support later (unless maybe they 
come out with a better feature/price).

I have both PVR-250 for cable/satellite and also pcHDTV for HDTV.  I 
currently have an HD-2000 and my HD-3000 should be arriving soon (I hope).

--
David