[mythtv-users] Can a pcHDTV record standard definition?

[Brad]

On Tue, 2006-12-12 at 18:49 -0800, Robert Tsai wrote:
> On Tue, Dec 12, 2006 at 07:17:12PM -0600, Brad wrote:
> > On Tue, 2006-12-12 at 15:49 -0800, Robert Tsai wrote:
> > > On Tue, Dec 12, 2006 at 04:54:12PM -0600, brad at bradandkim.net wrote:
> > > > > I don't yet have an HD TV but hope to in the near future.  In
> > > > > the meantime, I need another capture card.  If I get a pcHDTV
> > > > > card will it record standard definition now and allow for the
> > > > > HD upgrade or do I need to buy a card that will be obsolete
> > > > > for me in the coming year?
> > > > 
> > > > I think I answered my own question.  pchdtv.com states that the
> > > > HD-5500 supports NTSC.
> > > 
> > > Wouldn't it make more sense to go ahead and record HD now? You can
> > > just watch a lower-resolution version on your standard TV now, but
> > > you'll still get better audio, and widescreen-format content.
> > > 
> > > When you upgrade your TV you won't have to twiddle with your
> > > software configuration.
> > 
> > That's not a bad idea.  It goes along with Brian's reply.  I would
> > have to upgrade my cable box and pay a bit more monthly, chew
> > through disk space faster, and lose a little bit of real estate on a
> > 36" TV, but it might make more sense.
> 
> You don't have to upgrade your cable box if you can get OTA HD
> signals.
> 

But then when I recorded something off of cable my CPU would be doing
the work instead of the card right?  I guess I could try to schedule
cable shows to record on the PVR and shows available OTA HD to the
pcHDTV.

> > How does that work then with a PVR-250 and a pcHDTV 5500 in the same
> > backend?  Recordings from the HD card show in widescreen with better
> > sound and recordings from the PVR show regular 4:3?  But all
> > recordings are playable on all TV's including a future HD TV?
> 
> I would imagine so, yes. The recordings are made independently of the
> display.
> 
> > There would be no need to change anything with the recording setup
> > once I got the HD TV?
> 
> Not the recording setup, but you would likely have to fiddle with your
> X settings for the new display.
> 
> --Rob

Thanks again,

Brad