PVR's

[D. Hugh Redelmeier]

| From: jon <jonzou-Re5JQEeQqe8AvxtiuMwx3w at public.gmane.org>

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| http://www.pchdtv.com/
| 
| this one seems very good for linux pvr and is also cheap

This is an HDTV tuner (HD-3000).

Decoding the video stream (and encoding it for recording) is done by
software.  They recommend a serious CPU (>2.4MHz, acording to their
FAQ, and in some cases, a P4 3.0MHz with HT).

Most HDTV tuner cards only work with over-the-air HDTV broadcasts, not
over-cable signals.  For most people, I think that this is useless.

This one claims to support "unencrypted QAM 64 and QAM 256 Cable
signals"; elsewhere it mentions supporting 8VSB too.  I wonder if our
cable companies supply any?  Here is a note from the site:

    Is Cable/QAM supported?  The pcHDTV HD-3000 cards support the
    three major types of cable transmissions-- 8VSB, QAM64 and QAM256.
    It is possible however for cable companies to encrypt channels and
    render the card unable to record some or all channels. Success
    will depend on each cable company and how they distribute cable to
    each neighborhood. On average in the US, 70% of cable is
    unencrypted. You may be able to find out exactly what is available
    in your area at avsforum.com's reception index

A quick look at the AVS Forum entries about Toronto only tells me
about OTA (Over The Air) HDTV stations.

It seems to me that since the cable companies sell PVRs, it is in
their interest to exclude others from this market.  What better way
than by "accidental" technical means?
--
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