MythTV Vs. ATI Catalyst

[phils725]

Trying to see if I should download MythTV (http://www.mythtv.org) and use that, or stick with the ATI Catalyst software that came with my AIW 9600XT card. ATI's program isnt too bad, but wanted to see what the AT users out ther thought?

 

[nweaver]

I think you are comparing apples and oranges here. MythTV is designed for a home media management system, with support for multiple capture cards, the ability to stream to Myth frontend thin clients, etc.

 

[NeoV]

ATI's MMC software is crap..

 

[bob4432]

myth is for linux, isn't it? i would really love to try it too but i am not too good with linux...

 

[sparkyclarky]

Look into SageTV or BeyondTV (I personally use Sage) if you want a more direct comparison, rather than Linux program/platform change. And I guarantee you that Sage and Beyond will absolutely spank ATIs bundled software.

 

[HomerSapien]

update: Sage 3.0 does support software cards. My vote for sage.

 

[brockj]

If you have a computer that is going to be designated for Myth then I say go for it. I LOVE mine. I personally use KnoppMyth, very easy install and a great user base to draw knowledge from.

One other thing, Myth doesn't play well with ATI (AIW inparticular). You will see most people use the PVR-250 or 350. There are some that use ATI cards but it can be a more difficult approach. If you are comfortable with Linux I say go for it, you will not be unhappy!

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: brockj
If you have a computer that is going to be designated for Myth then I say go for it. I LOVE mine. I personally use KnoppMyth, very easy install and a great user base to draw knowledge from.

One other thing, Myth doesn't play well with ATI (AIW inparticular). You will see most people use the PVR-250 or 350. There are some that use ATI cards but it can be a more difficult approach. If you are comfortable with Linux I say go for it, you will not be unhappy!

how does it look on a regular interlaced tv? my current tv has component input but it is not progressive compatible...

 

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: NeoV
ATI's MMC software is crap..

 

[brockj]

Lets put it this way, I have an old crappy 19" tv in my room that I watch it on. I am using a really crappy tv tuner (winTV go - hoping to upgrade soon to PVR class) and it look pretty good. Yeah it could look a little better, but I do not notice a huge difference between MythTV and regular TV.

 

[rbV5]

ATI's MMC isn't so bad, and is actually quite good for TV viewing (nobody has a better in-house multimedia software, even the best hardware PVR cards require a 3rd party software for decent functionality), but lacking serious PVR features like background recording and a powerful EPG scheduler make it < decent PVR packages like BTV, SageTV and the like.

MMC can use the ATI's hardware filtering for recordings (video soap) and features like video desktop and ATI TV for internet explorer, burning to DVD from the library app and recording to a multitude of codecs. The outcry over not supporting Theater 550 cards in MMC tells you how popular it really is for those who use it.

Its just soft in some true PVR functions, but pretty damn good for the price IMO.