I've been running a Mythtv + HDHomeRun + analog capture card setup for a number of years. I use Roku at the TV to get the content there via the Mythrokuplayer channel.
I gave a nod to one of the HDHomeRun boxes over a HD card for a number of reasons. -It's been absolutely rock solid. I don't recall ever having to restart the box due to a hang or failure. -It provides at least 2 tuners (3 if you get the Prime that can handle CableCard). -Being outboard of your computer means it doesn't get involved in upgrades or replacements. -It can be accessed by any machine on your network for straight live TV. -Running COAX around your house sucks, it's easier to put the HDHomeRun near your cable inlet and let it go via TCPIP from there. -Finally, Silicon Dust is pretty good about Linux support. They have tools and a CLI available. All that being said, I never tried any of the HD tuner cards, so take it with a grain of salt. Overall I find it works very well. However, I do not use a CableCard, there wasn't support for that when I started. I find that between the analog tuner and the clear QAM channels I can get everything I need with a few exceptions. I only pay for the basic cable package, which you'll probably have to specifically push for as they don't advertise it. I think it's about $15/month. I get the major networks in HD, and a bunch of other stuff in analog. Still I am missing a few things, so I have considered upgrading to the HDHomeRun Prime, but it would mean a significant increase in my cable bill to go to a digital tier to get the CableCard. The Mythtv/hdhomerun setup was quite easy initially, but there is no published mapping of the clear QAM channels, so you'll end up spending a fair amount of time getting that figured out. It is possible for TWC to relocate the actual channel mappings, which the CableCard hides, but I've only had that happen once in the years I've been running it. I have thought about, and barely started on, a tool to grab screencaps of the channels, but never got very far since it's only something I've need a couple of times. You'll also spend a few bucks ($25 a year from SchedulesDirect) to get a subscription for guide data. You can get by without it, but if you want sane DVR function, I'd say it's a necessity. If your parents are only needing live tv, you don't even need MythTV. HDHomeRun has several ways to access the device directly. Both Android and iOS apps, DNLA support and support for game consoles. Not something I tried, but may simplify what they need and avoid "support requests" not to mention that it takes your server out of the loop completely. No issues with "I need to reboot, but Mom's watching CNN", I'd be happy to provide any more specifics and share my list of channels with you. Depending on location, it might not be exact, but should give you an idea. Mike On Mon, Aug 25, 2014 at 10:58 AM, Jonathan Clark <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi - > > I'm curious what recent experiences any of you have had with MythTV > (or similar), particularly local Time Warner customers. > > Have you found that most channels are blocked from recording? The web > says that (in general) Time Warner sets the CCI (copy permissions) > flag to "Copy Once", which essentially results in none of the open > source projects being able to access shows. > > I've gone without cable for the last five years, but I'm at the point > where my parents are moving into my nest. They seem to breathe cable > news like I breathe Dr. Pepper. Thus the need for a cable > subscription, so I might as well get my MythTV box set back up for > myself. > > The last time I had a working MythTV box was five years ago; my > equipment is currently able to record analog signals. From what I can > tell, that will still work for the cheaper channels. > > Would it be worthwhile to invest in an HD tuner card that supports > CableCard? I think I'd enjoy the "fun" of improving my system, but if > the result will be only a single channel or two, then it'd be more of > a let-down. > > And as an aside, has anybody else noted that Netflix speeds on > TimeWarner have increased dramatically over the last week or two? > > Thanks for your thoughts - > > Jonathan > _______________________________________________ > Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group http://mhvlug.org > https://mhvlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mhvlug > > Upcoming Meetings (6pm - 8pm) Vassar College * > Sep 3 - Google App Engine > Oct 1 - Ansible > Nov 5 - Modern Dns Is Cooler Than You Thought! >
_______________________________________________ Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group http://mhvlug.org https://mhvlug.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/mhvlug Upcoming Meetings (6pm - 8pm) Vassar College * Sep 3 - Google App Engine Oct 1 - Ansible Nov 5 - Modern Dns Is Cooler Than You Thought!
