Re: [PLUG] Myth TV, computer hardware store, and TV & internet service

[TuskenTower <tuskentower@gmail.com>]

On 9/22/06, Rich G <rgoodwin1@cox.net> wrote:
> I am building one now.  I am using SuSe SLED.  KnoppMyth is ok for an
> out-of-the-box or shrinkwrap type install.  There is a book that came
> out in the past month - Hacking MythTV.  Barnes & Noble carries it.
>
> I bought the Silverstone case (LC-14M) and am using an ASUS MB.  For
> tuner cards - I have two pcHDTV HD-3000  and one Hauppage PVR-350.  I
> planned on putting the front & backend on the same box.  I'm rethinking
> this now...
>
> The options can be overwhelming.  Start off with just the basic Myth and
> initial plugins.  Getting a remote and advanced PVR is enough to start
> with.
>
> As for buying in/near Philly, I bought everything online - no car
> needed.  Microcenter is ok but that is only if you really need/want the
> brick-n-mortar feeling.
>
> Rich

I haven't set up MythTV yet because I live out in KoP and my reception
isn't great.  I am using two pcHDTV 5500 cards with OpenSuSE Linux
10.1 and they work great.  Just compile in the supplied drivers and
dtv software.  Don't bother with the supplied xine.  Since the cut-off
date for HDTV is 2009 you might want to skip the NTSC TV tuner.

For your HDTV antenna, I would follow the recommendation of
http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/GlossaryG.html#indoor and got the
Silver Sensor from Amazon. The same HDTV site has a good comparison of
antennas (http://www.hdtvprimer.com/ANTENNAS/comparing.html).  Always
check AntennaWeb.org for proximity to TV towers.  AVSforum.com is also
helpful (sometimes).

DO NOT buy any RadioShack antennas (caveat, there is a new one from
RadioShack that is said to be decent but its ~$50).  The Silver Sensor
can be bought from Amazon for ~$20-25.  I have tried a RadioShack
cheapo model and it was so bad that bending the coax cable at the RF
output jack improved the signal.  I am using an unamplified Silver
Sensor and I can pull in ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC.  I have purchased the
LacrosseA from AntennasDirect.com to see if it can help pull in MTN
(aka MyPHL), CW and PBS.

You're better off buying your components online.  Which you would have
to do for a pcHDTV card and the Silver Sensor.

HTH
Amul
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