[mythtv-users] HDHR or Hauppauge HVR-2250 for next tuner card?

[Tom Hayward]

On Sat, Jan 14, 2012 at 08:12, John Nissley <jnissley at nissley.org> wrote:
>>  Why not get a HDHomeRun Prime or Ceton card?  Comcast has to be able
>>  to provide you with a CableCard.
>
> I would get a HDHomeRun Prime but Time Warner does not have any non clear QAM channels that allow mythtv to record and I do not see a reason to pay $120 more for something I really can not use.
> If you know of any reason that I should think that Time Warner will start to allow recordings on not clear QAM channels with a cable card then I would purchase and HDHomeRun Prime.

You're mixing two concepts: encryption, and copy-protection bit.
ClearQAM means the channel is not encrypted. The CableCARD in the
Prime allows you to record encrypted-QAM channels. However, you can
only watch them with MythTV if the copy-protection bit is set to
copy-freely. With Windows Media Center and DRM, the Prime will allow
you to watch programs with copy-freely OR copy-once. Even without the
DRM, the Prime with MythTV will give you access to many more channels
than with ClearQAM.

Here's an example of channel counts for my Comcast subscription:

ClearQAM: about 20 channels
encrypted-QAM + copy-freely: about 120 channels
encrypted-QAM + copy-once or copy-never: about 10 channels (HBO and Showtime)

So with my service, the Prime will give me access to everything except
HBO and Showtime. I suspect your service is similar, although copy
protection bits have been known to vary between providers and service
areas. Your best bet is to find a TWC customer and Prime/Ceton user in
your area and ask them.

Tom