[mythtv-users] hdhomerun vs. capture cards: is it even a contest?

[George Galt]

On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at 4:52 PM, James Miller <gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org> wrote:
> Since I've started grappling with some HD-related issues and my
> trailing-edge hardware, I've become aware of the HDHomeRun device. Now that
> the nature of this device has sunk in a bit further, I'm beginning to wonder
> whether the struggles involved in getting traditional capture cards set up
> and working under myth might become a thing of the past. Before going too
> far toward arriving at that conclusion, though, I just want to ask for a few
> clarifications on the device and its workings.
>
> First of all, I understand that the device gets hooked to a broadcast source
> (e.g., cable television or an antenna) at one end, as it were, and then to a
> computer network on the other. From that point, it can grab and display
> scheduling information and, more importantly, can stream the broadcast
> signal over its network connection to networked computers that have the
> ability to display and/or capture the broadcast (e.g., mythtv). Have I
> understood more or less correctly what the device is and what it does?
>
> Whether or not I've understood properly the way these devices work, I'd be
> interested in hearing what other users see as the pro's and cons of the
> hdhomerun vs. capture cards.
>
> Thanks,
> James
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James:

I love my HDHomeRun, but it has one serious limitation and that is
that it can only get clear QAM broadcasts on your cable system.  So,
depending on your cable operator, you could get only the OTA channels
carried on cable (my situation) or additional channels.  YMMV.  It
depends on what you want and what your operator does.  I also have a
HDPVR, which gets me other channels through a dedicated STB.

George