[mythtv-users] Getting into HD

[jedi]

On Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 01:30:06PM -0400, James Pifer wrote:
> I've been a mythtv user since the 0.14 days. I'm very happy with my
> setup and other than the backend server freezing once in a great while
> (bad memory I think) everything is super stable. 
> 
> I've just recently picked up an HDTV and I'm looking at getting digital
> cable for this TV. Obviously you get a more channels with digital cable.
> I know my kids will want me to record shows for them, such as off the
> Military channel. My understanding is you have to use the cable
> company's digital set top box to get the extra channels. My cable
> provider is Time Warner.
> 
> So if I get digital cable, is there any way for me to record these
> channels with mythtv? I don't even want them in HD quality since none of
> my frontends can even do it. 

    This is pretty easy and straightforward and is something that Tivos
have been doing for a very long time. Just send an SD signal from the 
cable box to an SD capture card. You can record both HD and SD channels
like this. Cable boxes can downgrade the signal for you. The options for
doing this depend on your cable box.

> 
> Another option would be to use one of the cable company's DVRs. Really
> don't want to do that or pay extra for it. I put recorded videos in
> mythvideo and my kids are very used to that interface. I'm guessing it
> would be difficult at best to get them off the DVR. 
> 
> Any suggestions?

   Your current setup is probably just fine. You will need something to
control the cable box with (probably an ir blaster).