<div dir="ltr">I am using a laptop as a slave backend, but the only thing connected to it is an HD-PVR. I think your biggest hurdle will be having enough dedicated USB ports. For sure the HD-PVR *really* wants to be on it's own USB 2.0 port unshared, For reliability I would think you'd want the same for the HVR's or whatever other USB tuners you want to use. I do not use the laptop as a frontend at all.<div>
<br></div><div>Tom</div></div><div class="gmail_extra"><br><br><div class="gmail_quote">On Thu, Aug 22, 2013 at 2:44 PM, James Miller <span dir="ltr"><<a href="mailto:gajs-f0el@dea.spamcon.org" target="_blank">gajs-f0el@dea.spamcon.org</a>></span> wrote:<br>
<blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0 0 0 .8ex;border-left:1px #ccc solid;padding-left:1ex">Due to impending changes by my cable provider--having to do with switching current analog channels over to DTV--I've begun thinking about upgrading my myth system, which is a combination FE/BE. Of my system's 3 capture inputs, only one is digital-capable. This upgrade could also be a good opportunity to implement a system with much lower power demands than the desktop box I currently use. I'd like to make some inquiries of this list relating to those factors.<br>
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First, let me state that I'm located in the US. Most programming I record comes through an unencrypted cable TV connection: I get a "standard" cable package included with the apartment where I live, and do not have enough desire to get more channels to justify paying extra for things like a set-top box or an expanded channel subscription: just the "free," unencrypted stuff suffices for my TV-viewing needs. Along those lines, I recently set up a rabbit ear antenna in my apartment and hooked it to a spare input on one of my current capture cards so I could record some OTA DTV broadcasts as well. As mentioned, I have 3 inputs (two in one capture card and one in a second capture card) in my current myth box: two are devoted to the building's cable connection and the third to OTA programming that I pick up through rabbit ears. I'd like to stick with 3 capture connections, btw.<br>
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I'd like to ask to begin with how feasible it might be to use a laptop to replace my current myth desktop box? Laptops have very low power consumption, and bottom-of-the-line models that are quite reasonably-priced have better specs than my current myth box. I do understand the drawbacks--namely, there are no expansion slots in which to insert capture cards and hard drive space will be limited. I suppose video quality could be a drawback as well, since these low-end laptops tend to have crappy display hardware. I'm not sure that would present a problem for me since I am not much of a video connoisseur and my display is only capable of 720p anyway; so I'm not too concerned with the sub-par video issue.<br>
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So, going the laptop route would necessitate acquiring either 3 USB capture devices (like maybe the WinTV-HVR-950Q), or perhaps one such USB capture device and an hdhomerun (e.g., the HDHomeRun HDHR-US). It would also likely entail adding an external hard drive (again, via USB) so as to increase storage space for rapidly-expanding HD broadcast recording. So, this is one option for a low-power myth system--one that I might be able to put together for around $400 USD, a price which fits my budget well.<br>
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Has anyone on this list tried using a laptop as a myth BE/FE like I'm proposing to do? Any hidden pitfalls I may have overlooked? Also, what are some other low-power options for running a myth box like the one I have? Input on this topic will be appreciated.<br>
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