[mythtv] improving quality of capture/playback

[Larry Matter]

So, again, I want to say how impressed I am with mythtv.  Had it working
in no time recording my favorite show, and nobody popped my blank tape out
so they could watch Barney :-)

But now I want more.  My in-laws have a Tivo (and a big screen tv) so I
have seen the quality of the video.   It seemed as good as regular tv to
me (or good enough anyway).

The capture that I get with my Pinnacle pctv pro however, while definitely
watchable, has obviously gone through compression.  How can I get a
picture approaching the quality of Tivo?  Is it a hardware limitation or
software/CPU or both?  Will it cost mucho $$$ to get there or can I just
tweak some settings and or upgrade CPU?  Perhaps just adjusting screen
resolutions?

I have been watching all of the hardware related threads (dxr3, USB
capture, etc) in hopes of finding the cheap-and-holy grail. Is it out
there?

Thanks!
Larry