[mythtv-users] TiVo Convert Experience - HDTV Video Card Recommendation

[Rich West]

Rich West wrote:
> Jim Shank wrote:
>   
>> A little over a month ago, in an effort to move away from my DirecTiVo I
>> decided to give MythTV a try. I recently upgraded my main PC and decided to
>> allocate my old development box to this project. It consists of:
>> ASUS K8V SE Deluxe motherboard
>> AMD Athlon 64 3200+
>> 2GB RAM
>> ATI X850PRO (AGP)
>> 500GB SATA HD
>>
>> <..snip..>
>> Summarizing the actual questions in my long-winded post:
>> 1. How can I correct the DVD playback aspect ratio in the Internal player
>> (tried the menus but nothing changed)?
>> 2. Recommendation for a video card that will work well with MythTV and can
>> handle 1080p through a DVI connection.
>> 3. Recommendation for a DirecTV receiver (cheap) that works extremely well
>> with MythTV (serial control). Are there any with 1394 video connections?
>> 4. Any complaints about HDHomeRun or is that a solid investment?
>>   
>>     
>
> I can take a stab at this.  I went through something rather similar 
> (dual-tuner DirecTivo to MythTV conversion) about 6 months ago.  Believe 
> me, in the end, it is all worth it. :)
>
> The problems with your aspect ratio and your TV are likely related to 
> the ATI card.  With the nVidia GeForce 6200 card, once you get the 
> syntax down just right for the xorg.conf file, the aspect setting is a 
> snap.  Personally, on one of my sets, I use a DVI to HDMI adapter cable, 
> and it works great.  (See 
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/ComponentOut for tips.. the title 
> is a little misleading as it can be applied to DVI and HDMI).
>
> I still have three of the RCA DirecTV (DRD435HR) set top boxes that I 
> control via the low-speed serial port.  Check out 
> http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php/Controlling_DirecTV_STB_via_USB. 
> I'll probably shut down one of them when I get my HDHomeRun for OTA HD.
>
> I recently posted a question about the HDHomeRun to the list.  Everyone 
> responded in the positive, with a lot of praise about how easy it was to 
> set up and how good the quality is.
>
> -Rich

Whoops.. missed the part about you wanting a DirecTV receiver with 
firewire (1394) on it.  I don't believe any of the HD directtv receivers 
have 1394.

-Rich