1. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org

2. HDTV and Linux ● 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

3. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org What is HDTV and how to get 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 ● 1080p 1920×1080 => WUXGA support 1920×1200

4. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org ATSC/DVB-T Map

5. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Current DTV tuner choices ● Check http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Tuner_Cardhttp://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Tuner_Card ● ATSC Cards (only in US/Canada ) – pcHDTV HD-5500 (NTSC/8-VSB/QAM64/QAM256) – 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 – Any card with Linux "DVB" drivers is also likely to work.

6. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org HDTV Reception ● Nine over the air or OTA for the Hudson Valley – Signal Callsign Network Virtual Chan – StrongWTBY TBN 54-1 – StrongWRNNIND 48-1 – StrongWTENABC 10-1 – ModerateWMHTPBS 17-1 – ModerateWRGBCBS 6-1 – ModerateWCWNCW 45-1 – ModerateWXXAFOX 23-1 – ModerateWNYTNBC 13-1 – WeakWNYAMYTV 51-1 ● HDTV indoor antenna $50 at Walmart, Outdoor from $50 to $250 (for 70 mile range). Can use your UHF antenna.

7. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org HDTV Reception ● 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

8. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Example HD Video Grabs

9. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Video for Linux V4L-DVB ● http://www.linuxtv.org http://www.linuxtv.org ● libv4l-o, dvb-apps, dvb-utils, xserver-xorg-video-v4l DVB Driver demux0frontend0dvr0 DVB Toolsxine ffmpeg X-App Command line /dev/dvb/apapter0/ cx88_dvb

10. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Linux Software ● 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

11. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Digital Set Top Box ● 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 ● Closed, non-free, proprietary

12. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org IEEE 1394, Video, Audio, Control ● 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. ● Not able to get hardware control interface working.

13. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Best tool for the Job ● 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 – Professional video and audio work

14. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Recommendations ● 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 ● Dude, just read a book!

15. Mid-Hudson Valley Linux Users Group www.mhvlug.org Easter Eggs ● 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 Apple.