[mythtv-users] NTSC USB tuners: which ones are out there?

[Gary Buhrmaster]

On Thu, Mar 26, 2015 at 8:12 PM, James Miller <gajs-f0el at dea.spamcon.org> wrote:
> On Thu, 26 Mar 2015, Gary Buhrmaster wrote:
>
>> Every franchise area is different, but TWC's PAR (Partial Analog
>> Reclamation) was a stopgap a few years ago to their eventually
>> plan of elimination of all analog and move pure digital, but in quite
>> a few franchises there were still a number of analog channels (that
>> was the Partial part).
>
>
> Around here (upper midwest, U.S.A.) I'd say there are a few dozen analog
> channels still remaining on TWC in the standard-tier line-up. I don't expect
> that to last beyond the end of the year, but we'll see.

When (if) you see announcements for TWC Maxx, you know you
are on the list.

> It was probably 1.5 year ago that TWC started in this area to send out
> letters promising these "free" STB's/DTA's, asking those who wanted one to
> contact them.

That was likely during the PAR, where a few channels were
moved from analog to digital.  Usually a few of the less
interesting channels (to minimize the number of (HD)DTAs
to hand out).

> You refer here to the Hauppauge 1212 HD-PVR High Definition Personal Video
> Recorder, I presume? And is this an option only if one explores the
> so-called "component video loophole?"

It is sometimes called the analog hole (a derogatory term used by
the content producers).  See the wiki for information on both the
analog hole, and the HD-PVR.

> And which way is that?

Comcast currently sets copy-freely on all channels other than the
premiums (HBO, Showtime, Starz, etc.).  While it would be better
if all content was marked copy freely, being able to record everything
other than the premiums is good enough for me (since I do not
subscribe to the premiums anyway).

> TWC is the only cable experience/provider I've ever had

You need to get out more :-)  It is actually true for most that one
has had only one (or two) cable providers in their lifetime.  (Most)
people do not move around that often, and even when they do,
there is some chance of ending up with the same provider as the
only one available.

> and I only ended up having it because the apt. building to which we
> moved provided it "free" (meaning, of course, that it's part of the rental
> cost about which renters have no say)

It is unusual for complexes to actually include TV service in the
rental contract (although it does happen).  At least if the places
where I have lived It was always far more common that the "free"
cable was an example of the OPEX savings that TWC and others
have experienced by encrypting basic.