[mythtv-users] hdhomerun vs. capture cards: is it even a contest?

[James Miller]

Since I've started grappling with some HD-related issues and my 
trailing-edge hardware, I've become aware of the HDHomeRun device. Now 
that the nature of this device has sunk in a bit further, I'm beginning to 
wonder whether the struggles involved in getting traditional capture cards 
set up and working under myth might become a thing of the past. Before 
going too far toward arriving at that conclusion, though, I just want to 
ask for a few clarifications on the device and its workings.

First of all, I understand that the device gets hooked to a broadcast 
source (e.g., cable television or an antenna) at one end, as it were, and 
then to a computer network on the other. From that point, it can grab and 
display scheduling information and, more importantly, can stream the 
broadcast signal over its network connection to networked computers that 
have the ability to display and/or capture the broadcast (e.g., mythtv). 
Have I understood more or less correctly what the device is and what it 
does?

Whether or not I've understood properly the way these devices work, I'd be 
interested in hearing what other users see as the pro's and cons of the 
hdhomerun vs. capture cards.

Thanks,
James