Comcast/Mythtv (OT?)

[tmetro-blu-5a1Jt6qxUNc at public.gmane.org (Tom Metro)]

Bill Bogstad wrote:
> This is slightly off-topic, but does involve Linux...

I'd say it is adequately on topic for this list.


> I've got a KnoppMyth Linux system running with two analog tuners
> connected to my Comcast cable with a MediaMVP settop box for display
> purposes.
...
> My worry is that this is a sign that they want to get rid
> of their analog feed entirely...

Undoubtedly. As another poster pointed out, the cable companies don't 
like having to retransmit the same stations in multiple formats. (SD 
analog, SD digital, HD digital.)


> * If you have a QAM tuner on Comcast in the local area (Cambridge
> would be best), what channels do you see in the clear?

I have an HDHR, but haven't done a scan recently. My recollection was 
that I picked up all the local broadcast stations, plus a small subset 
of the cable-only stations in clear QAM.

Note that to use the output of the HDHR with mvpmc, you'll need to 
transcode the audio from AC3 to MP3. Supposedly this can be done fairly 
quickly and painlessly.

When I get some time over the winter holidays, I plan to properly deploy 
my HDHR and I'll report back what is visible. (I'll update the BLU wiki.)


> * What are my options for encrypted QAM and Mythtv?  (Note: I'm
> currently SD only and HD would be nice, but not a requirement.)

If SD is good enough, keep your analog tuners. You'll need to pair them 
up with cable company provided set-top boxes and an IR blaster to change 
channels. Unfortunately some variation on this setup is the only viable 
option currently.

Ideally, we need to increase consumer awareness of this problem. Cable 
companies are intent on making cable ready TVs and other devices 
useless, and throwing us back to the dark ages of the 80's. There's no 
really good reason why the extended-basic cable channels you are paying 
for aren't provided as clear QAM. But to convince the cable companies of 
that, may take a lot of us canceling our subscriptions and telling them 
that was the reason.


> * Anybody else see this insert in their Comcast bill?

What did it look like? I see a notice about the price increases 
happening in December.

  -Tom

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