Which way to go with MVP and OTA DTV?

[gapgapman]

Hey everyone,

I currently pay for limited cable but am making the switch to OTA DTV (digital TV). I have my converter box and a cheap antenna--and the stations come in very clear. I would like to continue using the MVP (not for live TV though), but need to know which Setup is cheapest and simplest for recording shows. I currently have the Hauppauge USB2 PVR which is recording from cable. By dropping cable, I can save the $16 bucks a month since all I get are local channels anyway--all which are free OTA. In order to record shows using the OTA stations, which option below is the best (simplest) and cheapest route:

1) Buy a new OTA TV tuner and use one of the plugins/apps to convert the HD recordings down to SD so the MVP can play them.
or
2) Buy another converter box (i have another $40 coupon) and an IR-blaster and use them in tandem with my USB2 PVR.
Or
If you have a better idea, I am open to it too.

I am leaning towards the second option, since many threads out there seem to mention the difficulty of downgrading recordings for the MVP and I can't live without ComSkip. I have a SD TV, with no plans to upgrade to HD any time soon.
Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[jbyram2]

I've had good results with the Channel master CM-7000 converter. It's coupon eligible,but is one of the few with S-video output. S-video outputs SD,so no extra CPU effort is required. MVP play back is crystal clear.

I have also had a samsung tuner for a few years. It has S-video out, again SD.

The tricky part is getting the secondary streams. Both tuners require your blaster to transmit an up arrow or two to get to the secondaries.

[wtg]

If you only want SD recordings and optimum MVP playback, option 2 is the best.

[gapgapman]

Thanks for the input--and for mentioning the converters with an s-video output. Cheers.