[mythtv-users] Myth with Dish Network / DirectTV ?

[Brian Wood]

On Thursday 17 December 2009 05:52:05 pm Mark Knecht wrote:
> On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 12:39 PM, Jeff <junk_inbox at verizon.net> wrote:
> > On Wed, Dec 16, 2009 at 3:10 PM, Mark Knecht 
<markknecht at gmail.com> wrote:
> >> Hi all,
> >>   It seems like I don't see much discussion here about using Myth
> >> with Dish Network or Direct TV. I assume there must be some users 
out
> >> there and this is directed toward them.
> >
> > <snip>
> >
> >> 4) I could dump Comcast completely and go with a satellite company.
> >> This seems interesting as they have always supplied a lot of receivers
> >> with their base installation so that would give me a fighting chance
> >> in terms of cost and media, or so I think.
> >>
> >>   I'm wondering how well satellite TV works these days? They say they
> >> have the local channels. They supply everything I need. I don't care
> >> much about HD so my recording is pretty easy technology wise.
> >>
> >>   What's the verdict these days?
> >
> > Mark,
> >   I've been using Dish Network with my MythTV setup since 'day 1'...   I
> > currently have 3 Standard-Definition Dish receivers feeding S-Video and
> > Analog audio to Hauppauge SD tuners - a PVR-500 and PVR-250.
> >   I use one lirc instance to control all 3 receivers (as Dish receivers
> > can be set to 16 different IR code sets), and I don't experience any
> > 'missed' or 'incorrect' channel changes - I think that's just a balance
> > of adjusting the IR blasters to be 'aimed' properly so that they get
> > received reliably by the receivers.  (IE: Not over-driving the IR
> > detector, etc.)  That is easily tested with 'livetv' and jumping around
> > channels   (I use low-power transmitters that are right in front of each
> > sat receiver)
> >   Oh, and Dish offers the local channels, but for $5 extra a month, and
> > at least the Standard-Def versions of them are compressed a bit, so the
> > quality isn't as good as one would expect.  (As noted, I don't have HD
> > dish equipment, so I can't comment on that.)
> >   Anyways, I'd be happy to answer any more questions you have, and 
to
> > post my channel-change scripts, lirc config, etc...  ;-)
> > J-e-f-f-A
> 
> Hi all,
>    A big thanks to everyone who answered. I really appreciate the time
> you all put into your responses. I'm glad to know that there's a
> possibility of converting to satellite TV if the need arises.
> 
>    This thread has called to mind that should I go this way I'll be
> required to build a completely new backend based on older technology.
> I have two old PRV-150s no longer in use after switching to a Mac Mini
> with an HDHR. Unfortunately the Mini obviously has no PCI slots and
> would be pretty useless as a backend so I'd have to come up with a new
> machine. (The old PCI-based backend was decommissioned 12 months 
ago
> but it's so slow I'd rather not go back to it.)
> 
>    Again, thanks for the inputs. I'll start doing some study.

Except for commflagging and transcoding, you really don't need much CPU 
power for a B/E using PVR-150s, since they do the encoding work.

Certainly couldn't hurt to give it a try, at least you'd get something out of 
that old gear.