Hi all,

I am new to Linux in fact have only played with it a little. I have heard a lot about UBUNTU. I am wondering if there is a way to hook up a UBUNTU computer to my digital cable box and have the computer process the signal to output the signal in Hi-Def? For a HDMI Hi-Def TV. What hardware would I need or software. Please do not direct me to the free software that is cumbersome for a newbie. I do not mind paying for software as long as it works. Thanks.

I don't know what hardware you would need to do HDMI in, though I am sure it exists (driver support may be another matter entirely).

But I am intrigued by your concept that free software will somehow be harder to use than software you pay for.

I just read a Post by somebody that was whining about having to pay $5.00 a month to trans gaming (or something like that) (they are the people that make software to play windows games on linux). People want to get paid for their work and I do not blame them. I feel that if somebody puts work into a project and I get usefulness or enjoyment from that product then they should be paid. But not overcharged like Microsoft does. I feel better products are made when people are paid for their work because it gives them a incentive to do the best they can.

Well here is a very nice solution that won't cost you money but you will have to invest some time: MythTV

http://mythtv.org
http://www.mythtvtalk.com/forum/
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/MythTV_Feisty

Wow that is a cool application. Thanks for the help!!!!!