[mythtv-users] Re: Channels with poor quality create HUGE

[Michael Eldridge]

I too have Comcast cable and subscribe to their digital package with a 
DCT-6200 digital cable box. Although I don't have any fuzzy channels I 
too have noticed file size differences in recorded programs. What I'm 
seeing in my recordings is the file size of channels that require a 
digital cable box to view come in at about one third the total size of 
recordings from channels available via basic cable.

For example, a one hour recording of The Shield came in at about 3 
gigs. Where as a one hour recording on the Trio channel came in at 1 
gig. I've been attributing these results to compression of the higher 
numbered channels which I assume are being broadcast via a digital 
signal vs. the lower channels that I assume are still being broadcast 
via a less bandwidth efficient analog signal. Hence the larger file 
size. Not exactly the problem you're having but interesting none the 
less.

If anyone has more knowledge about such things I'd really like to hear 
their thoughts.

On Apr 14, 2005, at 8:19 PM, mythtv-users-request at mythtv.org wrote:

> Certain channels come in pretty fuzzy, with bad quality, showing
> diagonal lines on the screen.  Most channels come in just fine and
> look great.  These channels come in all fuzzy on a normal TV as well.
>
> Here's the big problem though - on those channels with the poor
> quality, the recording sizes are abnormally HUGE!
> We're talking about 3-4 times larger than the recordings should be.
> For instance, a normal hour-long show will take up 0.74 gigs, but the
> ones on the flaky channels will take up anywhere from 2.5 to 3.5 gigs!
>  It's really crazy!