[mythtv-users] new stuff to understand

[Daniel Segel]

Scot L. Harris wrote:

>On Sun, 2005-08-07 at 05:53, Craig Tinson wrote:
>
>  
>
>>I never got my head around "transcoding" as I figured I never needed to 
>>with the old card. now I'm recording with the 250 I figured I'd better 
>>know more about this transcoding thing.
>>
>>what is it? why does it matter? how will it affect how I use my mythbox? 
>>is there settings I need to know about? am I right in thinking it's more 
>>of an issue now I'm on a 250?
>>    
>>
>
>For the last 6 months I have been running a mythtv system using a
>PVR-350 and a PVR-250.  Have been using the decoder on the PVR-350 for
>the output to the TV.  As such I have not used any transcoding.  I found
>that if I transcode a show I can get the picture to play back but no
>audio.   I suspect this because the transcoded show is using the on
>board audio output which I do not have connected.  
>
>I really like the output of the PVR-350, it is indistinguishable from
>the broadcast signal provided by the cable company.  
>
>As to using transcoding, I think it depends on how you have your system
>setup.  Would be interested in other views on this subject. 
>  
>
I have a PVR-350 and I don't use transcoding as well. Disk space is 
cheap these days, so unless I'm trying to transfer the video to a 
different media there's no need, and good reasons not to - transcoding 
invariably causes a quality drop to some degree.

Daniel