I was able to connect the backend (5R16) up with a LeadTek 2000 tuner card and 2 frontend PCs and was able to watch TV on the monitors of all 3 PCs (not at the same time, due to 1 tuner card). Had some problems with the video out to TV. (Due to cheap video cards).

I returned the LeadTek and currently deciding to go with 2 Hauppauge PVR Tuners, either a 250 or 350.

I am planning on putting the backend Myth server in a closet and access the shows via a TV, (not Monitor). The backend is a P4/3.0 ghz/1 gig ram/160 hard drive, using Comcast digital cable box.

My questions are:

1. In general, when I spend this money for 2 tuner cards and better video cards, would my wife be happy with the qualilty of the output to the TV if I used a better video card. (or will I be sleeping on the couch.)

The 2 frontends PC are P3/800 ghz/512 ram. I can use either S-Video or composite on the TV. From what I read on the forum, a GeForce/Nvidia card will be good.

2. If I decide to use the backend also for watching TV, the Hauppauge 350 has a TV output (S-Video and composite). If I understand it correcly, using one of these outputs to hookup to a TV, I will only be able to see what is on the TV and not Myth menus and PC screen. Is this correct?

If this is correct, then I need to purchase a 250 instead of a 350?

3. Last question, in general for those who are using TV Out instead of a monitor. Are you watching live TV (with a 2 sec delay) via the frontend or is everyone just using the frontend to watch the pre-recorded shows, weather, music, etc., (S-Video or composite) and switching back on the TV remote to live TV via the coax input?

The pvr350 can output menu's and all, but it cannot playback mpeg4 very well if you are planning on using the video seciton of mythtv it's a bad choice.

The tvout through svid and composit vary wildly from person to person and card to card when talking about nvidia cards, but most people who can't squeeze thier own diamonds from their nether regions are ok with nvidia once properly tweaked, but it does take some tweaking.

I personally just switch back to real live tv whenever I'm watching livetv, mostly because a couple of years ago when I started the project it was not 100% reliable, and now that's just the way the GF knows how to do it. Admitedly we do not watch all that much live tv anymore though.

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Have a question search the forum and have a look at the KnoppMythWiki.

Xsecrets

My experience with svideo out has been:

The output of the MoBo video on my Shuttle SN41G2 with Nforce2 IGP (MX4) still looked fairly crappy even after much tweaking (adjusting the gamma made the biggest improvement).

Switching to a decent FX5200 based AGP card with svideo and DVI outputs (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16814164046) was an "Oh! Much better!" experience.

I suspect that the MoBo MX4 had subpar svideo voltage levels or something, since the image was a choice between dim and muddy or blurry oversaturated bleeding colors. I've seen similar quality difference between video cards under other circumstances. A well designed card made with good components and proper margins can be worlds better than a crappy one.

OBTW - You don't have to be able to squeeze coal into diamonds with your gluteal musculature to see an obvious difference.