Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
H D TV a nd L inux
● What is HDTV and how to get it. ● Current TV tuner choices
● HDTV reception what you need to know
● V4L-DVB, the core of 'Television with Linux' ● Software to Watch Digital TV
– Me-TV, Xine, VLC, TVTime
● Your Digital Set Top Box aka STB
– IEEE 1394 port what can actually be done
● Best tool for the job; Linux vs Windows vs Apple ● Recommendations, looking forward
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
W ha t is H D TV a nd how to g et it.
● High Definition Television● HDTV is part of a larger set of standards called
ATSC ( Advanced Television Systems Committee )
– ATSC is a group which defines the standards for
digital television transmission in the United States and many other counties.
– ATSC uses 8VSB (8-level Vestigial Side-Band)
modulation, MPEG-2 compression., and AC3 audio encoding.
● DVB Digital Video Broadcast
● 720p 1280x720 => SXGA supports 1280×1024
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
C urrent D TV tuner c hoic es
● Check http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Tuner_Card ● ATSC Cards (only in US/Canada )
– pc H D T V H D -5500 (N T S C /8-V S B /Q A M 64/Q A M 256)pc H D T V H D -5500 (N T S C /8-V S B /Q A M 64/Q A M 256) – Air2PC v.2 (8-VSB only)
– Technisat AirStar HD-5000 (8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256) – ATI HDTV Wonder (8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256)
– FusionHDTV 5 Lite/Gold/RT Gold (NTSC/8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256) – Silicondust HDHomeRun (MythTV >= 0.20)
(8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256)
– Hauppauge HVR-1250 (8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256) -- NTSC not yet
supported
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
H D TV R ec eption
● Nine over the air or OTA for the Hudson Valley
– Signal Signal CallsignCallsign NetworkNetwork Virtual ChanVirtual Chan
– Strong WTBY TBN 54-1
– Strong WRNN IND 48-1
– Strong WTEN ABC 10-1
– Moderate WMHT PBS 17-1
– Moderate WRGB CBS 6-1
– Moderate WCWN CW 45-1
– Moderate WXXA FOX 23-1
– Moderate WNYT NBC 13-1
– Weak WNYA MYTV 51-1
● HDTV indoor antenna $50 at Walmart, Outdoor from $50 to
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
H D TV R ec eption
● Cable TV ( Total 17 ) clear QAM stations
– LATV :567000000:QAM_256:544:545:198 – WWOR DT :567000000:QAM_256:800:801:709 – PIX 11 :567000000:QAM_256:288:289:711 – WEATHER :579000000:QAM_256:520:521:108 – WORLD :579000000:QAM_256:2048:2049:132 – CREATE :579000000:QAM_256:544:545:133 – WABC-HD :579000000:QAM_256:800:801:707 – WLIW-SD :579000000:QAM_256:288:289:721 – LivWell :579000000:QAM_256:1056:1057:729 – KIDS :711000000:QAM_256:544:545:131 – V-ME :711000000:QAM_256:800:801:199 – WCBS-HD :711000000:QAM_256:1056:1057:702 – WNET-HD :711000000:QAM_256:288:289:713 – WNBC4.2 :657000000:QAM_256:800:801:109 – WNBC4.4 :657000000:QAM_256:1056:1057:110 – WNBC-DT :657000000:QAM_256:544:545:704 – MyFox5NY :657000000:QAM_256:288:289:705
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
V ideo for Linux V 4L -D V B
● http://www.linuxtv.org
● libv4l-o, dvb-apps, dvb-utils,
xserver-xorg-video-v4l
DVB Driver
demux0 frontend0 dvr0
DVB Tools xine
ffmpeg X-App Command line
/dev/dvb/apapter0/ cx88_dvb
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
L inux S oftw a re
● Command Line:
– scan: currently not working on Ubuntu
– w_scan: scans for channels without freq. Map
– atscap aka ATSC capture, xsig helps point antenna
● X Windows:
– Me-TV Best one found, no longer in development – Xine, issues compiling from source for Ubuntu
– VLC now at version 1.0.1 – TVTime Analogue access
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
D ig ita l S et Top B ox
● The only way to get DTV channels
● The only cable card solutions are for Windows
and those are not reported as successful
● Must rent from cable provider no way to own
● To record HD premium content must rent DVR for
$15+ a month from cable provider
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
IE E E 1394, V ideo, A udio, C ontrol
● Tested working with SA-4250HD (Cable-Vision of Dutchess)
● Works with Windows, reported working with Apple, there are no
drivers for Linux
● Method (Windows):
– Installing the Scientific-Atlanta AV/C Panel and Tuner drivers – Watch or record with VLC via DirectShow selecting the
Scientific-Atlanta tuner.
● The content protection flag is on for almost all channels.
Only slight delta over clear QAM stations.
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
B es t tool for the J ob
● Linux
– Best API's and control points, can fully control
stream
– Set top boxes, specialty programs for industry.
● Windows
– Ease of use, most accessibility
– General consumer who accepts DRM
● Apple
– Best editing tools
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
R ec om m enda tions
● Don't invest time in the world of DRM
● For chasing content rent or buy DVD's best option
– MHLS has HUGE section of DVD.... FREE! – Netflix
– Internet (Hulu, videocasts, etc.)
● Invest in time shifting devices
– DVR aka Digital Video Recorder – PVD aka Personal Video Device
Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group
www.mhvlug.org
E a s ter E g g s
● Scientific Atlanta - diagnostic screens:
http://www.dslreports.com/faq/sciatl/ 3.1_Using_diagnostic_screens
● IEEE 1394 and Windows instructions:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=403695
● In VLC 1.0.x: Media -> Services Discovery ->
check Shoutcast radio listings and Shoutcast TV listings. Now under view-> playlist the directory will be shown. Works for Linux, Windows and
