[olug] Myth TV / Cox Digital Box questions etc

[Shawn Mattingly]

I think Cox only has about 5-10 clear QAM channels.  Most anything that 
you would actually want to watch that isn't already available OTA is 
encrypted.

Shawn

Benjamin Watson wrote:
> The beauty of Linux-based HTPCs (e.g. Myth, Linux MCE, etc.) is their
> scalability.
>
> So long as your tuner is hardware-based (which all of the newer
> Hauppage cards are nowadays), your CPU sees very little action.  You
> can keep expanding the tuners as you need them (and so long as you
> have enough PCI / PCIe slots).  The other cool aspect is the backend /
> frontend duality.  My backend manages all of the recordings and other
> ripped media.  I can now stream that over the network I have in my
> house to any other PC/TV over Ethernet.
>
> In terms of the user interface (post installation/configuration), it's
> really easy.  If you can TiVo, you can Myth.
>
> As far as video cards are concerned, I'd go NVidia all the way.  Their
> unified driver set works well with Linux.  However, your 3D needs are
> relatively low.  Your primary need is to get the video signal out to
> your TV.  Since I'm no where near the HD TV scene yet, all my NVidia
> cards merely use S-Video output to a standard-def TV.
>
> One other important thing you'll want to consider though once you
> start Myth'ing.  Storage.  You can count on a half-hour program
> (Standard Def) eating up ~1GB.  Regular DVD movies (depending on what
> tracks/feature you pull out) run 4GB to 8GB.  I've purchased a rather
> large computer case and other accessories from Jay at RTU to build my
> own NAS using FreeNAS.
>
> In terms of getting HD content over cable from COX, I know Hauppage
> has a new HD (HVR) series of cards coming out (or already out).  They
> can tune clear QAM.  However, I have no doubt COX probably encrypts
> their stuff.  I'm sure Google could locate a forum somewhere with
> instructions on how to get around that.
>
> Have fun,
>
> Ben
>
> On Sat, Jun 28, 2008 at 4:18 PM, Will Langford <unfies at gmail.com> wrote:
>   
>> Reguarding nvidia / hdmi question, it appears:
>>
>> Leadtek PX8500 GT TDH HDMI GeForce 8500 GT 256MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI
>> Express x16 HDCP Ready SLI Supported Low Profile Video Card - Retail
>>
>> http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814122037
>>
>> Would be a good option.  8500 will handle more than anything I would
>> throw at it, 3D wise.  I dunno if it'd help alot for video playback,
>> but meh... should have more than enough CPU for that.  And spdif pass
>> through is good too :).  One cable going to the TV, yay!
>>
>> And...
>>
>> ITS PASSIVELY COOLED!  YAY!
>>
>> The Radeon HD2xxx/3xxx/4xxx cards are looking cheap, but sticking with
>> the suggestion to avoid them... sigh :(
>>
>> -Will
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