MythTV 0.21 available, adds ClearQAM support via HDHomeRun
by Richard Lawler 
posted Mar 10th 2008 at 11:22AM
It's been a while since we checked in on the MythTV project, just updated to version 0.21, most notably adding QAM recording for HDHomeRun owners. If merely recording unencrypted HDTV via cable isn't enough, upgraded users may notice lowered memory consumption, the ability to record main and/or secondary audio channels, a couple new official plugins and a bunch of other tweaks. Check the wiki for the full list and get your Linux DVR going.[Via TV Squad]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Big Sam @ Mar 10th 2008 11:30AM
I thought it supported the HDHR long ago? Did it only support OTA recording from it?
zargon @ Mar 10th 2008 12:10PM
The HDHomeRun needs to upgrade to cable card, then I would buy 2 or more of them as they would perfectly fit my needs.
Screw Comcasts/Time Warners Scientific Atlantic 8300HD Explorer.
Justin Rogers @ Mar 10th 2008 1:17PM
Hmm... I don't understand why anyone would go for MythTV anymore (or ever, actually). SageTV is the best suite I've come across, and I have replaced my Tivos with it. I spend weeks and weeks working on MythTV at different points, and now I just run a Server with Windows and SageTV, and all is well. HD Extenders, HD Homerun, all been rock solid for months with minimal work getting up and running. Yeah, it costs $80, but small price to pay for how well the software works. It can even run on Mac or Linux, if you want.
Balloondoggies @ Mar 10th 2008 1:39PM
I have read good things about SageTV and it does seem like it has some nice features, but until it can pull HD over fire wire from my Motorola cable box and Sage can promise that it will never implement any sort of DRM I would actually consider it.
Until then I will stick with Mythtv.
zargon @ Mar 10th 2008 1:38PM
I have had no problems with MythTV at all, it does everything I need and more. The interface is perfectly fine. Plus the constant development cannot be beat.
I just don't see Sage cutting it for what I need. I can run a stripped down install of linux and get more out of the computer that way instead of running the bloated and resource hog Windows or OS X.
Khris @ Mar 10th 2008 4:53PM
@ zargon
I run Sage on an nLite'd version of XP and I have zero problems with it. Linux isn't the only OS that can be "stripped down".
zargon @ Mar 10th 2008 5:07PM
@Khris
I know about XP Lite and it really isn't anything special. It is still XP and it requires you to install and then strip down. I can initiate a linux install and have it minimal from the start. Plus I don't need to worry about a GUI overhead.
From what I have seen and dealt with, linux and MythTV is still by far the best solution for my needs.
Khris @ Mar 10th 2008 10:42PM
Well that's lovely you know about XP Lite considering it's COMPLETELY different than nLite. Google it.
rothgar @ Mar 10th 2008 1:21PM
I don't know about this but I had been using my HDHR with ClearQAM for a long time. Mythbuntu, knoppmyth, mythdora all supported that in their latest builds. I guess most of that was branch builds so maybe now it is just official.
Either way, Good job MythTV programers. You are still my PVR of choice.
Mitchell @ Mar 10th 2008 1:47PM
in version .20 QAM was not supported. They rolled out .20.1 to add QAM via HDHR. Then .20.2 was added to support Schedules Direct, these were minor -fixes branches. Now with a new version .21 it is an official stable build and included.
~Mitchell
Jon @ Mar 10th 2008 3:10PM
Anyone give hdhomeru a rip with vista media center ? right now i have the ati tv wonder w/cablecard running .. but a few more QAM tuners added on would be nice
David @ Mar 10th 2008 5:21PM
This is off the top of my head, so I would double check, but I remember reading that HDHR won't work with an ATI TV Wonder as the other tuner. Media center doesn't support QAM tuners, except the ATI TV Wonder, so HDHR works by impersonating an ATSC tuner I believe. This means that, since Media Center also doesn't support multiple signal types, you can't have an ATI TV Wonder and a HDHR, which looks like an ATSC tuner to MCE, running at the same time.
If anyone knows this to be untrue, please let us know, I'd be curious in doing the same thing. I haven't looked into it a lot recently, but last time I checked I think this was the status.
Jon @ Mar 10th 2008 6:17PM
Oh i hope thats not true , I should look into that , I use my ATI tv wonder to "Backup" my comcast DVR which is horrible and seems to mess shows up by freezing alot