[mythtv-users] PVR-350 vs. Geforce 5200/PVR-150

[Ivan Kowalenko]

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On May 16, 2006, at 23.44, Chris Henderson wrote:

>
> > #2, you can get an MCE version of the 150 (no remote) and save  
> some $$
> > $, which you can use to get more hard disk space, you will need  
> it :-)
> >
> > Right now, I have a second hard disk (13 GB!!!) in LVM which I
> > think I'll have to make it disappear because I don't have space for
> > a third drive.
>
> In this day and age a 13GB drive is useful perhaps for just your OS,
> but not for any serious video storage. If your drive slots are
> limited it can be a waste of space.
>
> Please bear in mind  that a  SD video file  is 4-6 gb per hour   
> BEFORE  transcoding.

What bitrate are you using? I can get superb quality video out of my  
PVR-150 when I set it for 4 Mbit, and that gives me approx. 2.2 GB  
per hour.

>
> Throw  the  13gb HDD and get another 50gb.

Interesting point is that my current recording disk is a 20 GB drive.  
I'm doing just fine with it (though I don't record all that much, and  
I mostly stick to about 1 Mbit 320x240)

>
> (I can't believe I said that, my first hard drive was 10MB)
>
>  I am with you here. My first computer was 486 dx 66 with 1gb  
> drive. wowoi could never fill that. famous last words.

I got you beat. C64 with an 1151 disk drive! First PC was a 368, with  
something like 350 MB hard disk and a MASSIVE 12 MB of RAM. For the  
record, we never did fill that drive ;)

>
> Bear in mind that my response was an opinion, not a statement of
> fact. There are those who use 350s very successfully, but IMHO there
> are more reasons to use a standalone video card, and the 5200 is
> about the best way to go, again check past threads as this has been
> debated endlessly.
>
> please dont forget that you could go for one of the digital TV  
> cards that are available. I guess thats if you have or can get  
> digital tv.

I'd say that in this case, the 5200 is the way to go. Myth is  
dropping support for the PVR-350's MPEG-2 decoder. If you go with the  
5200, you have the possibility of, in the future, upgrading to  
digital, including HD, and not have to worry too much about your  
video card (just hard drive space). Or you could always drag it over  
to a future HD box. The only advantage with the PVR-350 at this point  
is that you don't have to worry about deinterlacing (I think), and  
you don't have to worry about using up a PCI and an AGP slot. There  
are disadvantages to both devices, as well as other perks, but you'll  
have to search the archive for 'em.

For the record, I use neither method. I'm kind of in the same  
position as the original poster.
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