Comcast, TiVO, MythTV, and cable cards

[Tom Metro]

Doug wrote:
> I was thinking a bit about digital recording options over a 5 year
> period.  Comcast has the DVR box in the house under the TV.  It will
> cost $14/month, or $840 over 5 years.
> 
> If I get a TiVO, their middle of the line box is $300, with about $500
> in yearly fees over 5 years, so $800 again.
> 
> I certainly have enough computers hanging around the house, and bought
> a hauppauge card.  Do I need to get a comcast cable card, or can I
> just hook it up? 

As Dan pointed out, due to licensing restrictions, there are no hardware 
solutions for Linux that use a Cable Card.

Generally, based on what I've read on the mythtv-users list and 
elsewhere, TiVO + Cable Card or a cable company provided DVR are your 
only options if you want reliable recording of Hi-Def, non-broadcast 
programming. Sometimes you can use a digital tuner card, though usually 
not for non-broadcast hi-def, and sometimes you can record from the 
Firewire output from the cable provided set-top-box.

Even standard definition digital-only channels can be a challenge to 
obtain reliably. Basically you're at the mercy of the cable company who 
can choose to scramble channels or disable the Firewire output, and none 
of their customers except the few using home-brew DVRs will complain, so 
they get away with it.

For standard def. analog there are a few options, such as recoding from 
the analog output of the set-top-box, or directly tuning the channels 
with an analog tuner card. Standard def. digital channels can also be 
recorded via the set-top-box's analog output, though obviously as an 
analog signal. And in some cases you can avoid the need for an "IR 
blaster" by using Firewire to change channels.

The best hope to remedy this situation is a swift transition to IPTV 
where content providers are independent of - and not gatewayed by - the 
cable operators. Then we'll just need to worry about net neutrality. And 
fear that some Microsoft-invented, DRM loaded technology becomes the 
standard for IPTV.


> I recall seeing on slashdot that the free video list
> guide is going away, and a new $10 service is taking its place. 

Just to add to what Dan said, there has also been talk on the 
MythTV-users list of a few free sources for TV listings, though if 
Schedules Direct achieves it's $20/year target, it'll be the least 
effort solution.


> That would make MythTV go for $600 over five years.  Cheapskates must be
> working hard to avoid this cost.

If you want cheap, I don't recommend MythTV. You'll end up spending more 
on hardware than you planned - even if you repurpose existing hardware. 
After you've seen the benefits of it, you'll be even more willing to 
spend more money for more disks. And then there are ongoing costs for 
electricity and time for maintenance.

If you want cheap, rent a cable company DVR. If you want the power to 
customize your DVR, go for Myth. (If you go with Myth, chances are 
you'll also be better positioned to deal with the IPTV revolution.)

  -Tom

-- 
Tom Metro
Venture Logic, Newton, MA, USA
"Enterprise solutions through open source."
Professional Profile: http://tmetro.venturelogic.com/

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