I know I always get in trouble for saying I’m going to be working on something soon and then never getting around to it, but I’m pretty certain about this one (again). I want to start working on getting my pcHDTV 5500 card working again.
This time, things are going to be a bit more on my side. When I last tried it, the 2.6.18 kernel was new and I was pretty much in uncharted waters it seemed like. Now that there’s some kernel sources in the tree along with new linux-headers, I probably won’t be the only one trying this stuff out. There’s nothing like sitting back and letting someone else figure out the work for you. 🙂
Anyway, I have this miniature dream of setting up my HDTV card correctly, and hopefully getting enough channels that I can ditch Comcast altogether. Not that I have anything against them, it’s just that I’m on the limited basic cable plan, and all I get are the local channels anyway. If I could find myself a good, decent outside antenna and hook it up, I could probably get pretty good reception and save myself a little on my monthly bills.
This time though, I’m going to do it right. I’m going to go slowly, do my research, get the right hardware I need, and then take it step by step. Completely opposite approach of what I normally do, I know, but it does work well when I really take things much easier that way. In fact, that’s how I got mythtv and my server setup last time. Just taking it easy.
Plus, I just saw a great article on linux.com that talks about the very same card. It talks about the very basics of getting it up and running, and covers in brief detail what the tools are and what they do. That is exactly what I needed, too. I was just whining to Doug earlier how I couldn’t find a good down to earth howto.
So, we’ll see. I just need to get an antenna and I should be set. I already know that my card works okay, and antenna web says I’m in a good area for reception. I hope it all works out.