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

[Nick Rout]

On Tue, Jan 25, 2011 at 11:48 AM, James Miller
<gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org> wrote:
> On Mon, Jan 24, 2011 at Ken wrote:
>
>> I use my HDHR connected to an antenna (on my roof) to capture OTA
>> broadcasts (which accounts for 85% of my recordings during "the season" and
>> about 50% during the summer).  Support for this device within MythTV is
>> great making it one of the easiest "cards" to setup.  But if you connect it
>> to your cable company's input, you may be disappointed if many of the
>> stations are encrypted.  You should be able to test by using your TV if it
>> has a QAM tuner (and no cable card).  If your TV can receive it, the HDHR
>> will also.
>> I consider it a great investment. For content delivered to me via my cable
>> company encrypted, I use the HDPVR and my cable company's STB.  My cable
>> company only delivers HD content encrypted (except for local stations). The
>> HDHR and HDPVR handle 99% of my recording needs.  That being said, you also
>> mention schedule data.  If you are in the states, you will not want to rely
>> on EIT data for scheduling. Schedules Direct will be your friend and well
>> worth the $20/year.
>
> Interesting remarks so far. Yes, I am in the U.S.--I thought you'd be able
> to tell from my accent! As for aerials, I stopped using those back in the
> 20th century :)
>
> I don't pay for any broadcast content, so I'm only after what's free
> (technically the cable connection I use mostly is a paid service, but it
> comes with the apt. I have and there is no way to opt out). By definition,
> then, nothing encrypted applies for me. And I do subscribe to Schedules
> Direct.
>
> But on the subject of scheduling, let me just see whether I understand how
> the HDHR interfaces with mythtv. If there's some program I want to record
> from a channel the HDHR brings in--let's say it's an OTA channel, since
> currently my "free" cable comes through a PVR-150 capture card--I tell myth
> to record in that time-slot on that day and it "knows" the content comes
> through the HDHR and can communicate with the device, getting it to switch
> stations to the desired program when needed?


yes