[olug] Myth TV / Cox Digital Box questions etc

[Benjamin Watson]

I am curious as to why the encryption.  I mean, is encryption the only
way they have to keep non-paying customers for viewing pay
channels/tiers?  It's just one of those things that really "grinds my
gears".  I mean, I pay for it, why can't I record it?

Ben

On Sun, Jun 29, 2008 at 10:56 PM, Shawn Mattingly <smattin at mimezine.org> wrote:
> 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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