[mythtv-users] Thinking of Switching from Cable to DirectTv

[Mario L]

I just wanted to add my comments here about IR blasters.  I built this
one, by Enrique Vidal right from the lirc website
http://lirc.org/improved_transmitter.html.  I dont use it for channel
changes on a satellite receiver, but I use it to control volume and
power on my TV.

The 4000uF caps are a bit hard to come by, but the circuit isn't too
complicated.  I made a mistake of flipping one of the fets on there,
and fried it when I first put it together, but else wise I'm really
happy with it.  It works from about 6 to 8 feet away consistently,
even though I keep it much closer to the TV.

If anyone is interested to see what it turned out like, I have
pictures here with it inside its makeshift casing and mount job near
the TV.

RAR format: http://home.eng.iastate.edu/~superm1/Myth%20Blaster.rar


On Mon, 07 Mar 2005 09:31:54 -0500, David George <david at thegeorges.us> wrote:
> On 3/6/2005 4:18 PM, Brad Templeton wrote:
> 
> >But in general, analog cable is _so_ much better than satellite or digital
> >cable when it comes to a PVR.
> >
> >
> >Pros:
> >    Guaranteed channel changes, tuning is instant (even though there is
> >    still a delay to restart the digital capture in your PVR)
> >    Quasi-acceptable live tv surf ability -- live tv surf is intolerable
> >    with the others
> >
> >
> I have guaranteed channel changes.  Using the serial control to a
> Directv receiver has never missed a channel change.
> 
> >    It's never accidentally off.  (If your satelitte box gets an off
> >    code for some reason, or goes off in power glitch, you get no
> >    recording.)
> >
> >
> The channel changing script I use makes sure the satellite box is on
> before sending the channel change.
> 
> >    You can slap as many tuners on it as you want (satellite/dc needs a
> >    box for every tuner)
> >
> >
> True
> 
> >    One simple wire into the box
> >
> >
> Have to give you this one also :-)
> 
> >    Not transcoding pre-compressed re-expanded video
> >
> >
> True for analog cable as you describe.  But I have to admit satellite
> looks *a lot* better than analog cable from my provider.  They still
> haven't gotten channels 2-13 looking good and they have been promising
> us this for years.
> 
> >
> >Cons:
> >    Digital TV/Satellite have more channels
> >
> >
> 
> --
> David
> 
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