[10:38] hi is it possible to use some vdr box as a "tuner/input card" just like vdritsself allows to use another vdr on the lan? [10:39] i have a twin tuner gigaset m740 with open7x0 firmware (a community-vdr-firmware version) [10:42] the vdr box is accesses via ethernet/IP [10:56] the installation guide mentions a "live frontend". I wish to setup backend and frontend on the same machine, how would this be implemented? [15:45] Noobie to Mythbuntu. I have a QAM tuner built into my HDTV which is connected to my HTPC. When I run mythtv-setup, I cannot find any channels. I either get "channel scan failed" or "0% scan complete" even after running overnight. Do I need to purchase a TV tuner card to install in my HTPC to watch TV or will the built in Tuner in my TV suffice? If the built in tuner is enough, will I be able to record. Am I expecting [16:08] qwebirc28248: The tuner in your TV won't feed the stream back to the PC, so you need a tuner for your HTPC. BTW, the last part of your note was cut off (after "Am I expecting") [16:10] Am I expecting too much out of the HDMI cable? [16:11] Thank you for your help mrand. Just curious but is there any other way to get channels without a TV tuner? [16:13] qwebirc28248: for the most part, no. mythnetvision will allow you to deal with some internet based content, but when you say "channels", probably not. [16:17] mrand - I'm trying to ditch cable all together. In all honesty, I'm simply looking to watch sports and the occasional program. I'm new to this so I'm not entirely sure what "channels" completely entails... [16:20] qwebirc28248: if the sports and channels you want to watch are available on local stations, your best bet is over the air (OTA). format is called ATSC. Best signal quality, and most notably, free. A back door that some people use is if you subscribe to your cable company for internet, the local (QAM) channels are still broadcast. [16:21] So with over the air signals covered, mythnetvision is my best bet for internet channels? Then use the web browser for Hulu, etc? [16:25] mrand - I guess the question is, is purchasing a TV tuner card worth it? [16:26] qwebirc28248: I haven't used mythnetvision much, but yes, that is the general idea. You can buy an ATSC tuner for your HTPC... one time expense and allows you to time shift. Only recurring cost is the $20/year for schedules direct. [16:34] What channels would I get with Schedules Direct? [16:42] qwebirc28248: schedules direct is the listing service which allows you to do scheduling (14 days worth of tv listings are available at any one time) [16:43] mrand - So I would still need to have a cable/satellite subsciption? [16:43] qwebirc28248: Nope, I was proposing over-the-air plus schedules direct. [16:44] That is what I'm doing... I dropped cable recently. [16:44] mrand - Will Schedules Direct only give me scheduling for over-the-air or additional channels as well. Sorry if I sound like an idiot. Very, very new to this. [16:47] qwebirc28248: it provides scheduling for pretty much everything in existence in the US ... over the air, cable, sat, etc. [16:52] mrand - So if I understand correctly, if I only have over-the-air, I can use Scheduels Direct to schedule recordings but if I want to schedule recordings for cable/sat, then I would need to subscribe to cable/sat to record? [17:06] ignoring the small number of channels that you might get for free over QAM from your cable provider, in general yes, you have to subscribe to cable or sat and get their set-top-box in order to get a large number of channels from them. [17:08] Ok so if I'm looking for free channels then over-the-air with mythnetvision is my best bet. If I want to record either of those then I'll need to get a TV tuner card and subscribe to Schedules Direct. Are there any additional programs out there that would give me free channels? [17:09] mrand - By the way, thank you very much. You've been very helpful. It clears a lot of questions up [17:11] qwebirc28248: you're welcome. mythnetvision is more of a search engine and organizer for online media. It doesn't use schedules direct. [17:14] Sorry if I didn't make that clear. MNV isn't something you schedule, since online content typically isn't "broadcast" [17:15] mrand - So really, I'm stuck with cable unless I want to trim down to over-the-air channels [17:16] qwebirc28248: yep. More and more content is available online, but it is in a wide varity of formats and locations. MythNetVision is trying to help with that, but it would be a stretch to call it anything close to a replacement. [17:16] No other programs out there that I can watch broadcasts without cable/sat? [17:21] qwebirc28248: not besides the online services that various cable channels provide (either themselves or via Hulu). and of course, the local channels are available over the air. [17:21] lunch time... be back after while. [17:39] mrand - Thanks again for clearing up my questions. Guess I was under the impression MythTV did more that it actually does... [17:42] qwebirc28248: MythTV does more... you can capture stuff from cable / sat. I was just under the impression you were trying to drop that. If you want to capture HD from them, then you probably want an HD-PVR device attached to your HTPC [17:43] Basically, I'm looking at trying to find the best alternative to cable/sat. What gives me the most channels for free. That and I'm trying to understand the capture/recording aspect. [19:29] qwebirc28248: the free part is the limiting factor... content providers tend to not like that ;-) [19:30] mrand - haha. I completely understand. Would a Hauppauge 1250 work as a capture card? [19:34] qwebirc28248: if the channels you are trying to capture are encrypted, then you have to use a cable / sat set-top-box, and then capture the output of that with an HD-PVR. You can tell if they are encrypted by seeing if the QAM tuner in your TV can see them. If they are not encrypted, then yes, something like the 1250 would capture them. [19:42] As would an HVR-2250, HVR-950Q, or HDHR. Note that some have internal splitters to the dual tuners, while others have true dual inputs. [19:47] mrand - Thanks again for the help. I really appreciate it. [19:47] qwebirc28248: very welcome