[NTLUG:Discuss] HDTV, broadcast flag, ...

[tr_data1]

As you may be aware, the FCC will be imposing some kind of broadcast
flag on July 2005. Apparently, it is supposed to have the ability to
prevent recording and/or view once and/or expire the recording, ...
The law says something about anything made/bought prior to July 1'05
doesn't have to honor that flag. Anyway...

Currently, I just have a non-HDTV OTA antenna in the attic. However,
I know SomeDay(tm) I will want HDTV via OTA (and probably Sat. dish).
The broadcast flag seems like it could be a rather imposing creature so
I wish to build a PVR prior to the deadline (or at least get the parts)
so that I am not restricted by that flag. I strongly prefer it to be a
Linux system. I'm not interested in Tivo, etc, which involves a monthly
expense. Besides, I bet they'll be pushed into honoring that flag too.

I've done some research but haven't gotten very far. I came across
some cards that are only for over-the-air (won't decode content from
a digital dish, for example). My questions are:

1) What Linux-friendly PC cards (or boxes that have usable firewire
I/F) do you consider the best solution? Why?

2) What do you consider the best OTA? best for dig. dish decoding?

Perhaps there is an HDTV sat. dish. box with firewire port. I am only
interesting in being able to store the full-res HDTV compressed data
that is either unlocked or easily unlocked on the PC-side. 

If the ideal solution requires two cards/boxes (one for OTA and the
other for sat. dish) - fine.
=TR=