Hauppauge HD-PVR
As of late May 2008, the Hauppauge HD-PVR is shipping to customers. The HD-PVR is a USB device that captures the component video and analog/optical audio outputs of any consumer device (including cable/satellite set-top-boxes, HD Disk Players, video game consoles, and various other home media devices). The HD-PVR is a highly anticipated capture device because it exploits the so-called "analog hole" of component video outputs, permitting the user to capture High-Definition video from most sources and without concern for encryption. In other words, since component video is not and cannot be encrypted, previously un-capturable HD sources such as satellite and premium television will now be full accessible in MythTV.
Possible Countermeasures
Some UK television providers (notably Virgin and Freesat) have attempted to counter the HD-PVR and similar devices by selectively disabling the component outputs of their set-top-boxes. US cable and satellite providers are following suit and lobbying legislators for the right to disable the component outputs of their devices. There is a theoretical solution to this, albeit somewhat expensive. A company called HDFury makes a HDCP-compliant HDMI to RGB bridge. The RGB output of the HDFury can be converted to component with a second device from Box1020. In essence, a user with an HDMI-only device could utilize the following path to convert HDMI to component video:
HDMI Source -> HDMI to DVI cable -> HD Fury -> Box1020 -> Component Cable -> HD-PVR
At the time of this writing, the HDFury and Box1020 cost approximately $350 US. Add to that the cabling and $250 US cost of the HD-PVR and the total cost approaches $650 US. Some users will be put off by the high cost and circuitousness of the solution, but for an increasing number of MythTV users, it may be the only one.
HD-PVR Driver Compilation Howto
Linux support for the HD-PVR is in progress and release is anticipated by the time the first devices are in the hands of consumers. Watch this space for module compilation instructions.
Configuring the HD-PVR in MythTV
MythTV support for the HD-PVR is also underway. A howto will appear in this space upon release of Myth support.
