[mythtv-users] Which HD card?

[Ivan Kowalenko]

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On Jul 28, 2006, at 18.34, stan wrote:

> Ivan,
>
> Not enough info to make a decision between the two cards yet, but  
> you sure
> gave me a big education.
>
> I get it.  It's a DIGITAL broadcast.  What are they then?  Are they  
> standard
> mpeg2?

Well, there are three basic types of MPEG-2 files. Program Stream  
(PS), Transport Stream (TS) and VOB (Basically PS, but with some  
other things thrown in). Your average MPEG-2 file that you would  
generate or find lying around on your filesystem would be a Program  
Stream. A PS would be a video that's already complete, one that has a  
defined beginning and end. Same for VOBs, only difference is that you  
generally find them on DVDs. A Transport Stream, however, is a stream  
that's in progress, much like tuning into web radio. It's a standard  
MPEG-2 stream, just a little different from your run-of-the-mill  
MPEG-2 file, though. TS tends to have 20% more overhead than PS (to  
account for possible errors in transmission, I assume).

> Oh there was something about mpeg stream and mpeg direct or
> something.

Probably the difference between PS and TS.

> Are they a standard format that can be played by mplayer or MS
> Media Player?

MPlayer is a little finicky about dealing with TS files. Fortunately,  
MythTranscode's lossless MPEG-2 function can convert TS to PS with no  
loss in quality, while saving you 20% overhead. Likely, you'll never  
be able to play either file in WMP, but everything else should be  
able to handle it without a problem (It's just that WMP is very  
picky, and I've never gotten any MPEG-2 to play in it, at all).

> Thanks for the heads up on using the HD card as a second NTSC  
> tuner!  I'll
> look to a second PVR150 for a second NTSC tuner and expect to  
> capture only
> over-the-air HD with the new HD card.

That's probably a good idea, as far as the SD line. However, it might  
be worth it to you to experiment with the FireWire connection. I've  
seen FireWire cards go for about $40, thought you might be able to  
find them cheaper. Worst case, you should be able to return the card,  
assuming you haven't damaged it.

> I hope someone contributes more info differentiating these cards,  
> but until
> then thanks again for your reply.  It was very informative!

No problem, that's our goal. Oh, please don't top-post.
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