[mythtv-users] Researching USB tuner

Devin Heitmueller dheitmueller at kernellabs.com
Tue Feb 22 16:04:36 UTC 2011


On Mon, Feb 21, 2011 at 8:16 PM, Harry Lists <holists at optonline.net> wrote:

I did the driver work for most of the devices in that list, so I would
probably be the appropriate person to comment here.

> http://wilsonet.com/jarod/kworld-hacking/kworld-ub435-q-v2.patch

My experience with the Kworld hardware has been generally poor, but I
do this stuff for a living so I have unusually high standards.

> Most other QAM capable USB HD sticks seem to cost $70-$100.  The Kworld
> seems
> to be the lowest priced supported stick.  The Hauppauge HVR-850 model
> 1200 (is
> QAM really supported for this one?),

There are multiple HVR-850 variants, depending on when you bought it.
>From a Windows standpoint none of them support QAM, but the underlying
hardware may support it depending on the hardware revision.  Basically
the 850 in some cases ended up being the same hardware as the 950q but
with the QAM being defeatured in the Windows driver.

Also note, the latest version of the HVR-850 requires a relatively
recent kernel (2.6.37), and has not been burned in against MythTV yet.
 The LinuxTV Wiki has all the gory details with regards to the
different versions.

> Pinnacle 801e SE

This device is supported, but for digital only.  The analog support is
unimplemented.

> and Pinnacle 80e

I have drivers for this device (it's on kernellabs.com, although I
don't have the URL right in front of me), but they haven't been merged
upstream (and since the kernel subsystem maintainer can't seem to get
his head out of his ass, it is unlikely to happen anytime soon).

> (not
> sure if there really is support for this one) also seem to be
> lower-priced and
> supported.

If you are unfamiliar with MythTV and tuners, do yourself a favor and
don't buy the cheapest thing you can find.  Your setup will go much
smoother if you spend a few extra bucks and buy a reliable tuner.

Cheers,

Devin

-- 
Devin J. Heitmueller - Kernel Labs
http://www.kernellabs.com


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