[mythtv] PVR 250 & Linux vs Windows PVRs

[George & Kim Lopez]

I have seen, with mixed results, Linux PVR 
solutions using Hauppauge PVR 250 tuner cards on 
different systems.  I am in the research phase 
(reading the web, subscribing to mail-lists, 
downloading How-to Manuals, etc) of converting 
one of my computers (P4, 2.4 GHz), currently in 
a closet, into a Linux PVR.  I am curious if 
anyone has actually gotten the system up and 
running to a satisfactory condition.  I am not 
necessarily an audio-phile.  I just want to be 
able to record and archive different TV shows or 
music off of my Direct TV.  
   I am about to buy my TV tuner card (the only 
piece of equipment I think I am missing) and was 
considering the Hauppauge PVR 250 or 350 or the 
Pinnacle Pro.  From the Hauppauge and Pinnacle 
web-site, it looks like I could set up a Windows 
PVR solution instead of Linux.  Any thoughts on 
this?  Why would this NOT be a good solution 
other than the fact that it would be M$.  Please 
accept my apologies as I realize I have 
bombarded you with a ton of questions.  I would 
appreciate any info you could provide.  I will 
do my best to document my results and post my 
learnings or travails.  Admittedly, I am a bit 
of a Linux newbie as I have not messed with it 
since RH 6.2 came out. 


Thanks,
George


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