[mythtv-users] To TiVo or mythTV it

[Lane Schwartz]

On Wed, 10 Nov 2004 10:24:29 -0700 (MST), Rich
<yahoo.rich at bladeracing.com> wrote:

> 1. Is there a straight to the point running document that compares the
> functionality and ability differences between TiVo and mythTV?

Not that I know of, but here's my take on it (caveat - I don't own a TiVo):

TiVo:

- Runs a modified Linux "distribution" on special, proprietary hardware
- Record TV shows using a TV-guide-like interface
- Pay a recurring subscription fee

Additional TiVo features that can be had with some hacking:

- Hard drive can be replaced (I think... also I think this is unsupported)
- Ethernet connectivity


Myth:

- Runs on standard Linux distributions on standard hardware
- Record TV shows using a TV-guide-like interface
- No subscription fees
- Hard drive can be replaced. Multiple hard drives can be used.
- No DRM on recorded shows
- Recorded shows can be copied to other computers
- Recorded shows can be burned to DVD (assumes you have a DVD burner)
  (note - currently DVD burning must be done outside of Myth. I
suspect that eventually DVD burning from within Myth will be possible)
- Additional modules allow Myth to play music, play DVDs, rip DVDs,
show digital photo albums, show the weather, play archived (ie.
ripped) DVDs and divx and xvid files, and display recipes


> 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?

That'd be a tough one, but probably Myth. Wouldn't spend $1200 though. 

FYI, a decent, quiet basic Myth box from scratch can be had for about
$450 (Asus Pundit, Celeron 1.8 GHz, 80 GB HD, DVD burner, 256 MB RAM,
and Hauppauge WinTV tuner). Obviously less if you already have some of
those parts.

For comparison, a TiVo with an 80 GB HD and a DVD burner costs about
$400. (http://www.tivo.com/2.1.2.asp)


-- 
"No, we've had no evidence that Saddam Hussein was involved in 9/11."
-- George W. Bush, 17 Sept 2003