[mythtv-users] Composite Only capture card?

[Michael T. Dean]

Kevin Kuphal wrote:

> Cuddles -- "Soft and furry, but I've got CLAWS!" wrote:
>
>> Ok folks. I'm thinking about adding a second tv card to my system, 
>> but what I'm wanting is composite-in only. Anyone know if there's 
>> such an animal out there?
>
> ...
> Second, why? You can easily pick up a composite to s-video converter 
> for next to nothing and then you don't limit your selection of cards.

My guess is he's looking for a card without a tuner (to save money, 
perhaps?). If so, you'll be hard pressed to find one. An NTSC/PAL/SECAM 
(i.e. analog) tuner is extremely inexpensive these days (reference all 
the frame-grabber-type tuner cards for less than $30--including 
manufacturer and retailer markup and all the other required components 
of a frame grabber). Therefore, even if a manufacturer decided to make a 
card without a tuner, the manufacturing cost would be nearly identical 
to that of a card with a tuner, so the manufacturers all include tuners 
as well as S-Video and/or Composite inputs. Doing so makes the marketing 
guys' jobs easier.

/me steps on soapbox
Note that the same does not apply for digital tuners. The estimates of 
the cost of adding a digital tuner to a device vary widely. For example, 
the FCC estimates that by the time their "all digital tuners" mandate 
comes into force (2007), the requirement to include a digital tuner will 
add about $16 to the cost of a new set. Consumer electronics makers 
disagree: they estimate its cost will be significantly higher. Depending 
on which maker you ask, you'll get claims of cost increases from $50 to 
$100 ( http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A61752-2002Aug8 ), to 
$250 ( http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,54426,00.html and 
http://www.guidetohometheater.com/news/11362/ and 
http://www.cato.org/dailys/08-20-02.html ), or, from the mouth of the 
Consumer Electronics Association itself, "hundreds of dollars" ( 
http://www.ce.org/publications/vision/2001/mayjun/p07.asp?bc=dept&department_id=5 
).

To make matters worse, the FCC is taking a phased approach to 
implementing the law ( 
http://www.fcc.gov/commissioners/abernathy/news/dtv.html )

Screen Size Deadline
36" + 50% of all manufacturers’ products by July 1, 2004; 100% by July 
1, 2005
25" to 35" 50% of all manufacturers’ products by July 1, 2005; 100% by 
July 1, 2006
13" to 24" 100% by July 1, 2007

Since the first thing 85% of US households do when they purchase a new 
TV is disable its tuner (because they're using inputs from cable or 
satellite boxes), you've got to love the idea of spending money (even if 
it is "only" $16, that's enough for a pretty nice meal at a restaurant) 
on something you don't want or need. Even with these "over-the-air" 
digital tuners, consumers will still need to use cable or satellite 
boxes to receive programming from a cable or satellite company.

Mike