Tag: Antenna

Posted on

The Myth

Depending on how far you wish to dig into it, there are plenty of areas to tighten and tweak a mythtv setup. My first introduction was an offshoot of Fedora, called mythdora. Soon, was able to get unsupported hardware functioning by building my own blend, creating a headless server and customizing a wireless connection…oh that Atheros driver took some time.

What is most important (imo) is the actual feed going into the TV tuner. And for assistance, antennaweb has always provided some great information if you are considering OTA antenna. Obviously, the best signals are produced by either tower or rooftop antennas, positioned in the right way (depending on your product/area).

How’s the picture now (with the in house antenna)? Not bad to excellent.

Posted on

What Year is it Again?

Hello internets. Forgive me for sounding a little too excited, but I’ve been having many (good) flashbacks of some great times in open source development and projects I used to work on.

Even though this was something I absolutely was not going to do, it just looked too damn good to pass up. A centralized location for an antenna, program guides, scheduled recordings, and a trip to Dinosaur World (Clifford reference) to pick up hardware… Micro Center, “the only place where a boy like me can be happy”. Umm. Yes.

So the project was a networked TV source, frontends/backend server/clients, just like yesterday. The difference is, I am not using a satellite/cable feed this time, but a mere household antenna. Very similar to rabbit ears. 50+ Channels with info, guides, like a good old cable receiver…plus the “dvr” option.

We are not trying to reinvent the wheel here, actually we’re using the updated software of yesteryear. Did someone say xbmc is still around (kodi)? And mythtv? Say whhaaaattt? And they play together nicely, fluently? Sign me up!

The “big” pc, is now a backend server, the rebuilt Opti5050 a client/frontend. With another frontend in the mix.

Can’t believe I’m saying this in August of 2026, but if you’re looking for a DIY PVR or simply looking for a way to network an OTA antenna feed, give kodi + mythtv a shot.

Posted on

Back to Reality

At this point in the year, we either continue or cancel. Cancel what? Rest easy young friends. Not friends, not family, not pets. I’m speaking of subscriptions. My team had a rebounding year, and it’s the only reason I pay for cable TV. Yes, I love Wolf Blitzer, Kasie Hunt (there’s something about her), Katy Tur, etc. There have even been times that I have binged off of Ari Melber.

Probably too much information, or at this point “tldr”. But I have to think about budget. Maybe, just me. No simile. And I’m thinking, that maybe, just maybe, if I make another move (location)…or set up a new (networked or not) cable/tv system it will involve roof antenna/mythtv (again) and possibly kodi (again). Restricting as much advertising and marketing as possible. Using vpn or otherwise.

Oh, you wanted Back to Reality in a song?

Posted on

Antennas.

“Cut the cord”, cable, etc has been a practice occurring for the last two decades. Some of us like to catch the occasional sporting broadcast, so that’s become more difficult. But, services like Sling are beginning to offer some nice options including one day subscriptions for $5. Much less than a price for a ticket to one game (if you’re in the vicinity).

The other thing is, OTA (antenna) channels just have much more to offer than they did years ago. Crisp, clear, digital picture through simple rabbit ears, if set up right. Right now, I’m getting two Bounce networks, and that’s worth the price for the antenna alone. The movies and shows are great! Add to that, ION network (and X-Files on occasion), and it’s a no brainer.

So don’t break out the popcorn, break out the peanuts! In the shell, the ones you have to crack to open. Like at the game. You pay peanuts, we eat peanuts, we love living off of peanuts!

Yo P-Nut, Beat that thang!

In addition, local coverage pertaining to news, weather, updates seem to be more accessible/relaiable through antenna access. (especially during outages).