connect the video cards s-video out to the pvr s-video in and eliminate one (more) input to the tv?

My dvd/vcr combo unit is dying and I want a dvd/dvr to replace it but I don't want to have to keep switching inputs on the tv, so if that doesn't work, what video cards have good quality s-video. This settopbox would only get connected to a monitor on rare occasions and won't be used for anything other than as a vcr/dvd player, ok maybe access & display pics of the grandkids too, so a I don't need anything great.

BTW, I found this great site whilst researching setting up an MCE box and it given me the gumption to try this on my own, heck I've got enough computer parts laying around might as well put them to use. So far I'm going to use an nforce1 bd with an 1800+Xp, SB live, 100Gb HD, and 512Mb ram. From what I've read this should be a good setup for a linux newb like myself


My Thanks to All!
Popa Tim

Your question is confusing. You want to connect the video card's s-video out to the s-video in on your pvr-350. Then watch that signal on your TV using the s-video out from the pvr-350? That is doable but I really don't see why you would want to do such a thing.

All you need is the pvr-350's s-video out. It displays the Xserver's desktop and the mythTV frontend perfectly. I use it to watch videos in mplayer no problem (you can see a bit of tearing if you have good eyes).

Then I guess I'm a bit confused.
If all the video, even the GUI desktop, is displayed by the pvr350 then do I even need a video card?

You do not need a video card if you use a pvr-350.

Except you cannot install knoppmyth using the pvr-350. You must install using a video card. Once knoppmyth is installed you can do all configuration over ssh. So even if the pvr-350 isn't set up correctly you don't need a video card to fix the problem.

Caution: A few motherboards will not boot past the POST without a videocard. Most have an option in the bios to skip that requirment. But not all.

In my experience you have it backwards. Most motherboards require a video card and a few (mostly server boards) have an option to boot without one. So this is a big caution. If you are using a 350 it won't really matter what video card you have but you will likely need one of some sort.

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

Xsecrets

Wow, thanks for the info everyone. You just put an old MX video card to use. - LOL

How about trying if it will boot without one? My Asus board does start without a videocard onboard. It just doesn't like it and beeps a few times at POST.

_________________
KnoppMyth R5A30.1 upgraded to MythTV 0.19
P3-900 MHz
Asus CUV board (VIA Apollo 133A)
40 Gig HD
PVR-350
Optrex Display 160*128 T6963c

VMWare 4.5.1
KnoppMyth R5A30.2 upgraded to MythTV 0.19
IDE "virtual drive"

I'm pretty sure it won't, unless "Halt on no errors" in the bios works for that. Honestly I never tried before.

Regardless, I'm still in the information collecting stage. I'm not sure what I want to do at this point, the more I read them more I want to setup a front & backend on seperate machines so I can watch on any tv in the house see what you all started . LOL.

All I know for sure is I want to give this a try but I'm a complete Linux & Myth newb; reading and learning lots!

Hi popa tim,

May I suggest that since you are a little new to this, start with a basic frontend / backend setup (basic auto install) Then take it in steps as when you start splitting fe & be then things can get a little tricky.

To watch tv around the house adds complexity. The PVR-350 will give you tv out and if you put one in each frontend then things can get mixed up as there can be only one master backend. If you were to use a video card that will give you tv signals that works a little smoother.

I think you will be much less frustrated if you take it in steps, make it all run on a monitor as fe / be, then tweak a little to get tv out, then more tweaks to get everything to be on the tv. Once all is cool, try for the remote frontend (fe).

Enjoy!
Mike