[mythtv-users] Newb Question

[Andrew Davis]

I'm new to MythTV, not Linux... however while my computer/IT skills are 
decent, my audio/video skills are not as up to par. That said, I know 
most of the acronyms and that the output of one device typically goes 
into the input of the other, but that's about my limit. So with the 
pre-amble out of the way, I have a few simple questions before I take 
the MythTV plunge...

Just an FYI: I've long been a RH/Fedora user, so my intent was to use 
the guide here: http://wilsonet.com/mythtv/ and take the easy way. I'm 
buying all new hardware and am using this: 
http://www.engadget.com/2006/01/24/how-to-build-a-practical-htpc as my 
basis. In fact, other than adding some additional drives, more RAM, 
better CPU, and better power supply, I'm following this config almost 
identically. For sure, I'm installing a Leadtek WinFast PX6200 TC 
<http://www.leadtek.com/3d_graphic/winfast_px6200_tctdh256ob128_1.html> 
and a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE 
<http://hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_pvr500mce.html> (though I went 
with the PVR 500 bundle that includes the remote). That said, I guess my 
first question/comment is that if any of you know any gotchas or caveats 
to this solution (both the h/w and my intent to use FC5), please say so...

At home, and prior to any of the above h/w showing up I have a 60'' JVC 
Widescreen plasma with multiple ports (HDMI, component, composite, 
s-video... pretty much everything but VGA or DVI). My cable provider is 
Cox and an I have "Explorer 3000" (I think its a 3000) non-HD DVR 
provided by Cox and made by Scientific Atlanta. I also have a 
DVD/tuner/amp from Pioneer that has a 5 disc CD/DVD changer and your 
basic tuner options and speaker outputs (its one of those buy the whole 
box with the speakers solutions for $500 at the local Costco or Sam's 
Club). Its decent, not great. The TV is pretty nice. Right now I'm 
running the cable feed into the Cox box/DVR and composite out from there 
to input #1 on my TV. I'm running s-video out from the DVD to input #2 
on the TV. Audio is RCA out from the TV to the audio-in of the DVD which 
has its own speakers and such. With the Cox setup, I have over 1000 
channels, with everything from 950 and up being the HD channels (I don't 
have HD service despite having an HD capable TV). I also have the "Cox 
on Demand" thingy... which as I understand it is different that PPV. I 
say this as I have PPV options, but in the case of their OnDemand, I get 
free access only to the movies of the channels I pay for... ie: I can 
into the Starz section of the OnDemand menu and see just about any movie 
Starz is currently playing, but not for say HBO since I don't pay for 
it. I can also do OnDemand for newer movies... similar to PPV. In fact, 
their OnDemand service seems to blur the lines from PPV a that in the 
xxx movies and sports events are listed as PPV's, but new release movies 
are available via OnDemand. Thus, I'm a bit confused as to how the whole 
MythTV solution will work? Will I completely bypass the Cox DVR/tuner 
box? If so, will MythTV handle the OnDemand and PPV items? Or will I run 
the output of the Cox DVR/tuner to the input of the MythTV box instead 
of to the TV as it goes now? Interestingly, the Cox DVR won't record 
items I'm viewing from OnDemand, so I'm wondering of I go out from the 
Cox tuner to the in of the Myth box, will the Myth box be able to record 
items I'm viewing via OnDemand? I was thinking of getting rid of either 
or both of the DVD and Cox tuner/DVR... however, I'm realizing I'll 
still need the DVD box as my audio box/amp and I'm wondering if I'll 
still need the Cox box? I'm thinking I may need to keep both, though I 
could stop using the DVR functionality of the Cox box and the DVD 
functionality of the DVD player. I guess I'm curious how you guys would 
do this and especially for advice from others using MythTV and that have 
the Cox Digital Cable and OnDemand stuff...