Hi,
I am thinking about transforming an older computer into a mythtv box, I am having some troubles figuring out what exactly I need.

Here is what I have figured out I would need:

1 x Happuage PVR-500
1 x IR Blaster
1 x lirc compatible reciever for remote
1 x video card with good tv out

I have standard analog cable at the moment. I want the PVR-500's tuners to be used for recording only, not for watching tv. When I press the Watch TV button on mythtv I want it to blast a signal to my tv through the IR blaster to tell it to change the input to normal tv so watching live tv is just like normal, is that even possible? This way I can be watching live tv without a channel change delay and be recording 2 shows on my mythtv box at the same time. When I am done watching tv when I hit my menu button on my remote I want it to switch the tv input back to the input that mythtv is connected to.

Also, I might be getting directv in a few months, if I did would I still use the PVR-500 with 2 directv boxes and buy more IR blasters? or is there special tuners that don't require the directv boxes?

Let me know if this evil plan would work.

Thanks,
Travis

UPDATE: Actually thinking about this more I feel dumb if I use the IR blaster I wouldn't be able to pause and rewind live tv, I would still like to use the ir blaster on my other frontends where that's not important.

Start here: http://www.knoppmythwiki.org/index.php?page=PickingComponents

On the subject of cases, I've read what's on the Wiki, but I'm still left with questions...

A lot of the cases that are available are built around MCE in mind. With KnoppMyth, we're not in the same boat.

Are their any of these cases w/ the built in remote that work with KnoppMyth?

Do any of the cases with the LCD/output screens work with KnoppMyth?

TIA,

-Kris

I think there have been posts by someone who got one of these working. Check the tier 1 and 2 hardware recommendations and the hardware topic. If the sensor is connected to a USB header it may just be a standard MCE remote and sensor which should work out of the box. Search here and on the wiki for MCE remote.

Yes. The keyword you're looking for is VFD, that should plenty of info on the topic.