Which way to go with my linux "HTPC" to add TV functionality?

You're in luck. Mythtv is made for the keyboard -- it doesn't even use the mouse to my knowledge. So it is pretty easy to use with a keyboard, arrow keys navigate, enter and right arrow selects, and you can setup your own keyboard shortcuts within myth.

I'm partial too the ATSC 110 (I have 3 of them, one doing ATSC the others doing QAM) due to their relative inexpensiveness, and with the svn version of myth they can apparently be setup in myth as both a digital and analog tuner at the same time (although I don't use this functionality - i use hauppage 150 for my analog recordings to reduce processor load). The PCHDTV 3000 and 5500 cards have been able to be setup as both for a while. Most cards that have both functionalities had to be setup as a dvb card or an analog card (you can switch any of them, but you have to change their setup back and forth, which doesn't work for scheduled recordings).

I also have an Avermedia A180 (it doesn't do analog), and it works well too. Many have been able to find the old Air2pc ATSC only card on ebay for cheap. Many have been happy with the HD5000 as well. I just trend towards the cheapest cards I can get. Paid less than 30-50 for all of mine (some used some on sale).

On the down side. I don't like mythmusic. i have over 80GB of music and for me it doesn't manage them well, and it doesn't import m3u playlists which is a killer for me (although I know there are scripts out there that can do this for me). You can create playlists in myth, but I think they are myth only. I like to use the same playlists all over. So i don't use it, maybe someone else can tell you more about it's organizaitonal capabilities.

Mythvideo does a decent job on videos... probably better to me because I don't have a ton (maybe 30 or 40 video files). But I do like the cover art and imdb integration it has. It's only got a couple of basic browsing views, but it serves its purpose.

The good part is that setting up mythmusic and mythvideo are really easy (just point to the directory for the most part) so you can try them out, and just use something else if you don't like them.

Hope this helps...

what about the HDHomeRun? being able to switch between HD and ntsc broadcast is important for me, since theres such limited HD content.

thanks for the overview newlinux, i havent checked on what cards work in linux in a long time, and this was very refreshing. keep the info coming all, if there are any other cards newlinux missed.

There are plenty of other cards:

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php..._capture_cards

The subcategories should get you most of the supported analog and digital tuner cards.

When you say switch between HD and NTSC, do you mean HD and SD digital stations, or switching between digital (ATSC/QAM) and analog (NTSC)? As far as I know the HD Homerun doesn't doesn't do analog (NTSC). But many Standard definition (SD) stations are broadcast digitally as well, it just depends on your area which ones of these are unencrypted or available via ATSC. If you want to be able to watch many of the traditional "basic cable" stations the HDHomerune most likely won't work for you. Other than that by all reports it's pretty good. Just make sure you have enough bandwidth in your network.

ah, im living in 2001 here (dual ati tv wonders... oldschool bt878).

i was thinking NTSC. now that i remember i'm in 2007, isnt NTSC destined to be shut off for ATSC at somepoint? that would negate any percieved need i have for NTSC.

mega thanks for the linkage too mate.

NTSC (analog) is supposed to "expire" in 2009, January, I think. All of the OTA HD stations are ATSC, AFIK. I believe that none of them are encrypted, since that would violate their FCC agreements. The only encrypted HD programs may be some of the non-local (non-PPV) channels on cable. On my DirecTV satellite channels, the only encrypted ones are the PPV shows (both SD & HD).

I just got a PC today that I plan on making into an HDTV, so all of this tuner business is really interesting to me!

I am trying to record and watch live HD and analog all over cable (clear QAM and NTSC). Does anyone have a recommendation for an "all-in-one" card/box, pref. supporting dual tuners (so I can watch and record at the same time)?

There are several Linux & MythTV pages that cover this subject. Here are a few:

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php..._capture_cards

http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/index.php...8HDTV.29_cards

http://www.linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/ATSC_PCI_Cards

I found these pages courtesy of other members on this forum. My first link has a basic index. Some of these cards have dual tuners, so you can watch and record 2 different channels with one card (I think - you will have to check that out for yourself).

There are several AVS Linux Forum threads discussing some of these cards and HDTV setups using Linux. You can also use the search functions on the "linuxtv.org" and "mythtv.org" pages that I provided.

Thanks CT, I have been browsing thru that first link (newlinux posted above), but haven't yet seen the others! I was wondering if anyone, from their own personal experience, had recommendations on a good NTSC(an. cable)/QAM solution that works in linux.

On a side note, I have just started my HTPC mods to my box (got it yesterday). First thing to go is Vista, replaced by Ubuntu. Vista is the WORST! I can't count how many times I have had to restart my computer!

Cards I've personally used that do QAM and NTSC (and ATSC) are the pchdtv 5500, Dvico Fusion 5 RT Lite, and Kworld ATSC 110. I had some problems with the pchdtv 5500, and it seemed a bit overpriced. I still have the Dvico Fusion 5 and the Kworlds (I have 3 Kworlds). I prefer the Kworlds (were really inexpensive, got all mine for less than $50 new and used). I have used them for NTSC but I currently use them for QAM or ATSC. I use a Hauppage 150 for all analog stations (which I don't record very often). Due to the hardware encoding. All of the current QAM capable cards that I know of don't offer any hardware encoding of analog signals. If you must have QAM and NTSC, and don't need 2 of each, I'd recommend a separate QAM card and one of the Hauppage (150,350, or 500 for dual tuner) for your analog recordings.

But people have different experiences with these cards. YMMV.

If you want two QAM tuners, from what I've read (and a decent deal from a cost perspective) I'd probably go with an HD Homerun (no NTSC) and install a Hauppage card.

Also, The Kworld ATSC-115 works just like the 110. I think they are pretty much the same card bundled with different software, which you would only care about if you are using them in windows (the 115 comes with windows QAM capable software, the 110 doesn't. Both do QAM fine in Linux/Myth).

What hardware are you using? Just out of curiousity which version of Vista did it come with?

Sorry to hijack the thread, but this discussion has really piqued my interest (and is a good companion to the QAM FAQ in the main forum). Thanks much for the info, newlinux!

To be clear, I currently have analog SD, a few digital SD and the local HD channels going into my TV over cable. Does that mean I have QAM and NTSC signals coming in via cable, or does that mean I have two separate QAM (64 and 256) signals coming in? Does this vary by area? This point (from the QAM FAQ) I was confused on . . .

I got an HP slimline s3020n. Its pretty tiny, has AMD Athlon 64 Dual Core 3800+, integrated Nvidia 6150 gfx, integrated and comes with alot of the functionality of a larger computer (even has 1 low-profile PCI-e and 1 low-profile PCI), integrated wireless, 250GB drive, 7.1 channel audio, and looks pretty sweet -- one of the conditions set by the misses ;-). I got Vista Home Premium, which is soon to be wiped off . . .

I think cable companies have to send analog over the lines until 2009 or so, so you definitely have access to that if you have access to cable. If you have any HDTV at all you have QAM as it is the US standard for digital cable broadcasts. So yes, you have both coming in... The QAM could stil be a mix of 64 and 256 (I have two channels that come in on QAM64, the rest QAM256).

Your hardware sounds good. I currently use a 6150 in one my Mythfrontends and it works well. Have the x2 3800 for a processor in one of my combined front/backends and it has all the power I need. I was looking at similar offerings for a business computer that I am going to get (My business computer must have Vista--for business reasons-but I'll make it dual boot). With a slimline will you need a low profile TV tuner or an external tuner to fit in your case? Something else for you to consider, and may make the HDHomerun even more appealing (since it is external) for QAM.

Ah, sorry . . . should have phrased my question better.

Analog = NTSC, correct? Okay . . . I am starting to actually put all of this together.

That is great news on the Hardware front! I was thinking I might have to buy a new vid card, and about all that is available in low-profile PCI-e is Nvidia 7300, but, perhaps I won't. If I don't, I could put one tuner in the PCI slot and one in the PCI-e . . . assuming I can find the right configurations. Although, I may take your recommendations to heart, I have been eyeing the KWorld Cards, as well as the HDHR.

Once I get everything set up, I will start a thread chronicling my build. I have high hopes for this small box!

Yeah quite a few use the 6150. I use it for 720p and after some tweaking it is as good as I want it to be (better than my cable box in many cases).

Yep NTSC is analog in terms of signal. A heads up, I don't think ani PCIe tuner cards are currently supported in Linux. Just PCI.

Good luck with your build and stick with it. You may run into a few problems, but the folks here (and all over the Internet) can help.

newlinux
I have a question for you.
I am new to linux, but not new to computers,(old DOS guy..sorry)
I decided to build a PVR out of all the spare parts I have laying around to see if I could do it before I bought some high tech hardware and build a permanent setup (complete with HDMI )
I am able to get it all installed and configured,it was easy and I like it ( reminded me of my ole DOS days) but then I came to the Kworld ATSC 115, and the smooth sailing stopped. I can not get this card configured for the life of me.
after 22 yrs working with computers, finally became a dummy.
I have read a bunch of different posts and Wiki's, some you have posted,
but still no luck,
as I follow the instructions and I start with
cd /[kernel source directory]/Documentation/dvb/ I get "folder not found" so I go where it should be, and the folder is not there, I found a way to DL the necessary files to put in and it says "I am not the owner"
I was able to get dvb-fe-nxt2004.fw in my /lib/firmware directory, I went to edit the /etc/modules and add the lines it needed right after the saa7134,but that line is not there, and when I went to edit /etc/modprobe.conf there was nothing in that but a blank page, but i added the lines anyway, hoping it would help, but it didnt.
each time I run sudo modprobe cx88-dvb I get an error or not found or something that is wrong..
since I am new to linux, I don't even know how to tell if the drivers are starting or not..
is there a way this can be done, a tutorial for new guys who are not completely familar with linux? any tips or downright step by step dummy guides.

Thanks in advance for any help you or anyone can offer..

"edit" I forgot to include that I am running Ubuntu x64 OS.

unfortunately, the information in wiki's and forum posts tend to be dated quite quickly....or jumbled..or inexplicit at times


I can't remember what default location Ubuntu uses for the sources, but /usr/src/[kernel-version] is a popular location....perhaps you don't have sources installed...your permissions issue is strictly that -- an issue of permissions -- fix that and you would be able to add the files....anyway, don't worry about any of that cause there is no documentation in there that will help you with your 115.


the card doesn't use cx88 ... you want to modprobe saa7134-dvb

with a recent kernel or drivers from linuxtv, the card should be automagically detected (as a Kworld 110). I don't think there shouldn't be any need for user intervention/editing in the modprobe.conf, if the card is being set up correctly.


Lets take small steps -- you may have everything ready to go already. What is the relevant portion of a "dmesg" command stating? (i.e. look through the output and find the portions relevant to the card) .... this will help indicate whether there are any obvious problems.

----------

Unrelated to your troubles above, could you please provide me the relevant output from the commands "lspci -v "and "lspci -vn" for your card. I want to see if the PCI subsystem info is different or not from the Kworld 110 cards. Thanks

This thread might also be of some use. The trick I've read is the 'options saa7134 card=90' line being added to /etc/modprobe.conf to get the module to recognize the card. I don't have a 115 but do have the older 110 so can't confirm whether this works.

Thanks for writing back,
I will give it a shot when I put the drive back in, I had to pull it to do some gps hacking, I think I am just going to start fresh and reinstall Ubuntu, and then follow what you said, I very well may have had it in right, but just messed it up on my own by using the wrong info to fix it, when I do I will let you know the info you asked for..
Thank you again..