watch and capture TV on Linux

How to capture and watch tv

Use xawtv (it doesn't lock the devices and doesn't hang, at least while I was experimenting ;) and ffmpeg.

run xawtv, switch to favourite channel.

ffmpeg -f mpegvideo -acodec mp2 -ar 48000 -ab 192 -ac 2 -ad /dev/dsp -vd /dev/video0 -vcodec mpeg2video -b 6000 -s 720x576 -aspect 4:3 test_cap.mpeg

To fix problems with SECAM:

select SECAM channel in xawtv, then

v4lctl setattr norm SECAM-DK

Here is a sample .xawtv file:

[defaults]

norm = PAL

[tv xxi]

freq = 77.240

[tdk]

freq = 111.240

[eurosport]

freq = 119.240

[nat. geo]

freq = 126.899

[discovery]

freq = 135.239

[animal planet]

freq = 143.239

[tvc]

freq = 151.239

[dziecki]

freq = 159.239

[euronews]

freq = 167.239

[hallmark]

freq = 175.239

[soviet kino]

freq = 191.239

[one.by]

freq = 215.239

[ont]

norm = SECAM

freq = 222.599

[belmuztv]

freq = 239.239

[8]

freq = 247.239

[rambler]

freq = 487.240

[disc. science]

freq = 503.240

[extreme]

freq = 551.240

[history]

freq = 567.240

[dziecki2]

freq = 575.240

[WF]

freq = 783.240

[ntv]

norm = SECAM

freq = 58.930

[lad]

norm = SECAM

freq = 84.900

[stv]

norm = SECAM

freq = 92.930

[bt]

norm = secam

freq = 182.970

[mtv]

freq = 198.510

[rtr]

norm = SECAM

freq = 207.150

[mir]

norm = SECAM

freq = 230.750