[mythtv-users] Not your everyday newbie questions

[R. Stavros Bezas]

For the last few weeks I have been browsing every single website I  
can possibly imagine that deals with creating your own HD PVR HTPC.  
Without owning a HD set or service presently I find myself a touch  
limited when it comes to specific hardware connections/setups. I am  
well versed with the signals themselves but none of the company  
proprietary things that will definetly impact how you set up your box.

I'd like to lay out my understanding of how to setup a system  
(backend and fronted in one box to start) so I can see exactly what I  
need to make my decisions on as well as to help out others in my  
position in the future. Please add any input you can.

Starting from the signal itself. I plan to get DirecTV but may resort  
to Comcast if tree cover is an issue. Let's just assume DirecTV is  
available. The signal will come into through the wall via RG6 and I  
am assuming I will need to terminate it at their Satellite box.

 From the Satellite box which method do I use to bring it into the  
MythBox? My first thought would have been through Component/DVI or  
other video transport methods but reading through I find myself more  
confused as talk about Firewire comes into play as well as inputting  
the signal directly into the box. All sorts of questions about  
encrypted signals now come into my mind. This topic is very important  
to me as I can't seem to get a straight answer.
(I plan to be purchasing a Samsung 61" DLP (HLR6167W) which contains  
almost every sort of connection available and the rest of the  
equipment has not been purchased so the sky is the limit when it  
comes to type of setup)

After I have the signal into the MythBox (for simplicity let's assume  
just one tuner card, although the software side of multiple cards  
perplexes me as well!) it obviously needs to get to the television.  
This is where a video card that supports a HD-OUT method (component,  
HDMI, DVI, etc.) comes in. This sounds quite simple to me, but again,  
I believe firewire has entered the mix and that just confuses me as  
to how that could interact. If you do use firewire on either input/ 
output, would I still need a tuner card or video card?

Other issues of note:
As I've said I've done some research and come to see that the pcHDTV  
card does not decode NTSC (SD) signals. Does this mean I will have to  
have multiple cards to get the full spectrum of channels from my  
service? Is the control seamless through the Myth interface? My goal  
is to make this box operate as simply as possible. I currently use  
ReplayTV with a basic analog signal, it could not work more simple.

When it comes to installing my Satellite service, is there a certain  
box or features I should request that would simplify the task of  
creating this PVR? Also, same question for Comcast or other cable  
providers if Satellite falls though.

The software side I have yet to address as that can all be handled  
once I have the hardware in place. I anticipate that to be relatively  
painless compared to creating the box up to and including IR blasters/ 
serial connections,etc.

I appreciate any responses and apologize for being any questions that  
may have already been asked but sometimes it is rather difficult to  
search for such specific concerns. I also hope that this post helps  
others better understand how the system works too.


Stavros