[mythtv-users] Commercial PVR offerings - is MythTv still competitive ?

[Kevin Kuphal]

On Mon, Feb 9, 2009 at 2:58 PM, George Mogielnicki <george at begos.ca> wrote:

> Hi All;
>
> I have been using MythTv in SD for few years and waited for a move to HD
> until HD-PVR and VDPAU arrived. I wanted a small, quiet, combined box that
> can capture HD from my current satellite HD receiver via component cable,
> video storage is on a network.
>
> I live in Canada and recently my satellite TV provider (Bell TV,
> previously know as ExpressVu) has introduced a new receiver 6131 which I
> think is a re-branded Dish Network ViP 211k. This receiver is controlled
> via IR Remote, so I decided that this model is perfect for a new MythTV
> build. After rebate, I paid 150 CAD, which is around 120 US or so.
>
> This receiver comes with an interesting feature. Plug in a usb drive at
> the back panel usb port and you have an instant PVR. I plugged my 750GB
> usb enclosure, receiver took a while to format it and presto, I have
> working PVR in HD.
>
> To achieve the same result by building my own, I have to spend about 550
> US. I was thinking of Zotac GF8200 miniITX, low end AMD processor, 2 GB
> memory, case, fan plus HD-PVR.
>
> Of course, there is quite a lot of functionality that is not available
> with the receiver - mythvideo comes to mind as one.
>
> But even with all the plugins available, does it still make sense to spend
> 500+ versus 120 and spend quite some time to resolve a lot of potential
> issues with current HD-PVR and VDPAU support. Even when 0.22 is out and
> the drivers are more stable, question still remains.
>
> Has this commercial offering caught up with Myth TV in terms of value ?


MythTV was never a "value" investment for me.  It has always been a
flexibility component.  One that I can migrate from SD to HD with only the
addition of a $70 card.  One that I can increase from one tuner to four
tuners without changing anything at the interface level or losing any
existing data.

That's where MythTV lies for me.  If you're trying to save money, MythTV
probably isn't for you.

Kevin
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