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With a computer monitor, is this an inexpensive way to get HD? I'm just not ready to shell out a couple of grand for a new TV.


It works for me. But a 32" LCD television is only about US$500 or so (1366x768). A comparably almost-as-large (dimensions) LCD monitor is about US$1400 or so (but is much higher resolution).

The CBC transmits in 1920x1080i format, VERY high resolution. Looks sweet on my 17" notebook, so long as I sit close to it.
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What tuner card to get? Seems like the pchdtv hd-3000 and the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-250 (or 350) are common choices. I can't figure out whether the Hauppauge are HDTV tuners or not.


Those ones are not ATSC (HDTV). The PVR-350 is two-cards in one: a TV receiver, and a TV playback device. The playback part looks like it's on the way out (getting dropped) from Myth, though that may change again.
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There is a new Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 that has dual tuners


I have a PVR-500 in my Myth box. Works fine, but the receiver sensitivity is rumoured to be worse than that on the PVR-250. Research the PVR-500 carefully, as apparently there is a Windoze-only model out there, as well as the full featured one that I have.
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What does one use for a remote control? Is a $200 universal remote going to be mandatory for one of these things to be truly usable?

Best bet is to buy a Haugppauge card+remote combo pack. Guaranteed to work out of the box that way. I didn't.
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Is Myth as capable (or more capable) than Sage? Is ease of installation all you get with Sage?

They look pretty darned similar on the surface, but Sage-for-windows is apparently much simpler to get set up. Dunno about the permanent second-class Sage-for-Linux "OEM" edition.
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What does one do for program listings in either case?


Sage offers a "free for the time being" program listing service with their software. Myth uses one of several free services from the internet. I haven't figure that part out yet for my situation (Canada, off-the-air only, no cable).
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The thing that seemed coolest about Tivo was that it would record suggestions based on your viewing preferences and ratings.

Sage claims to do something very similar. I don't think Myth does.

Cheers