[mythtv-users] MythTV vs. Windows Media Center

[Eric Sharkey]

On Thu, Feb 10, 2011 at 1:39 PM, Reynolds, Brian
<Brian.Reynolds at fiserv.com> wrote:
> My main concern with using one of those [HDPVR] boxes to capture the HD
> (1080i) output of the cable box is the setup to control the cable box.
> It seems like a kludge that wouldn't work well, even if I can use
> FireWire to control the cable box.  Do any of you have experience with
> this control connection?

This isn't worth worrying about.  Firewire channel changing of STB's
is rock solid and completely transparent.  It just works.  I've had
two different STB models over the past few years and never lost a
recording to a failed channel change.

>  How does the control function work on one of
> your front end's?

The front end talks to the backend, and the backend handles changes
channels as appropriate.

>  Is it easy for the end-user (my kids) to change
> channels, rewind/pause/fast-forward, control the VOD menus on the cable
> box, etc. using an IR remote control?

Once you get a remote set up appropriately, it's certainly easy to
change channels or pause/ff/rw, but MythTV doesn't have integrated
support for VOD or access to the cable box menus.

Eric