[mythtv-users] POLL *** How many people on the list are running UK combined Freeview and Freesat setups?

[Another Sillyname]

2009/9/7 Yeechang Lee <ylee at pobox.com>:
>
> As a non-Briton I'm curious as to how combining Freeview and Freesat
> is different from similar situations elsewhere. As an American my
> setup has integrated both over-the-air and cable almost from MythTV
> day one. One schedule source (DataDirect then, SchedulesDirect now)
> provides listings for every conceivable TV source (OTA, cable, and
> satellite), and as long as I make sure identical channels on each
> source carry identical callsigns, the scheduler just works
> (<URL:http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/216512#216512>).
>
> I know Britons don't have one comprehensive listings source, but what
> else would be different between my setup and someone running Freeview
> and Freesat?
>
> --
> Frontend/backend:       P4 3.0GHz, 1.5TB software RAID 5 array
> Backend:                Quad-core Xeon 1.6GHz, 6.6TB sw RAID 6
> Video inputs:           Four high-definition over FireWire/OTA
> Accessories:            47" 1080p LCD, 5.1 digital, and MX-600
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Hi

The UK has two comprehensive sources of data from DVB depending on
whether you're using DVB-T or DVB-S.  The data source is referred to
as the EIT (Event Information Table). This EIT transmits date for a
set period ahead (usually 8 days) and also for the "Now and Next"
programs to allow late program changes to be transferred.

Combining these is fairly straighforward and allows maximum
flexibility for your system.

The DVB-T Muxes in the UK usually carry about 4-8 TV Channels (some on
a timeshare basis) and then some carry assorted radio channels and
other data feeds, you can see the list here.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_channels_on_Freeview_(UK)

As there is a high incidence of Muxes sharing channels you can often
use one physical tuner to record three channels using myth's multirec
facility.

On DVB-S because the channels tend to be spread over many more muxes
it's rare that multirec gets used.

You can also get listing data from The Radio Times which I believe
uses XML (I don't use it myself).

The main advantage in the UK is say on Freesat, if you so desired, you
can record as many channels as you have DVB-S(2) cards.  Usually with
cable as I understand it you are limited to recording one (or two?)
channels per subscription you pay for.

There are way's to record satellite subscription channels using a
legitimate viewing card that cannot be discussed on this list. Using
virtual card sharers you can in effect record as many subscription
channels as you desire using only one subscription card (the dedicated
STB supplied by Sky is limited to two channels recording per card
similar to cables limitations).

Hope this clears up some of your questions.