[mythtv-users] CableCard???

[Daniel Kristjansson]

On Tue, 2006-11-14 at 16:55 -0600, Matt wrote:

>    I don't want to get too off topic, but I'm an avid reader of the
> commits list, but I don't get around to reading the mailing lists
> unless I'm searching for specific information.  Given what you've said
> above, I'm just curious exactly what you use to capture your shows on
> a regular basis and what you do for analog vs digital (if you do
> both)?
I just moved so I actually haven't set up MythTV here. But when I had
RCN I used an analog tuner to record most of of my cable shows, and
OTA to record most of HDTV shows. What I didn't mention was that RCN's
HDTV lineup was very unimpressive, OTA had many more channels.

> Right now I have standard analog cable, straight from the
> wall, no box... so I don't really have anything to worry about, but
> I'm probably going to be moving somewhere and when I do I'm going to
> be looking into going the HD route.  From the sounds of it, firewire
> is really the only option right now besides OTA.  I have Air2PC cards
> right now HD-5000s or whatever they renamed them, but just a dinky
> indoor antenna so I don't get strong signals.
I use a dinky directional indoor antenna too, but I had to place mine
outside to get a decent signal. In Manhattan I made an antanna arm out
of a 2x4 (wood) and stuck it out the window. In Brooklyn I just placed
it on the roof, with a brick holding it in place.

FYI before I gave up on keeping the antenna inside I actually
constructed my own powerful antenna, but even with the powerful
antenna my signal would degrade in bad weather. Once I placed
the antenna outside all my signal problems went away. Brick walls
are apparently pretty powerful at blocking/disrupting UHF signals.

-- Daniel