TV Tuner Cards

[Chuck Engels]

After having terrible luck back in 2005 with TV Tuner Cards I have decided to give it a shot one more time.
I will be testing the ATI TV Wonder HD 650 PCI Express TV Tuner on my newest computer. It should arrive in a couple weeks.

I like the PVR (Personal Video Recorder) ability to schedule recording of TV shows among other things.

Any help or guidance by anyone that has any experience with this card is more than welcome

[John 'twosheds' McDonald]

Can't provide any help or guidance but will be very interested in your feedback later.

[Bob]

I've been toying with the idea of getting a tv tuner card later this year, but havent done a lot of research yet. And, definitely haven't made a decision as to which to get. I'll be watching to see what your experience will be. I did recall reading a review of that card and looked back and found it. http://techgage.com/article/ati_tv_wonder_hd_600_pci_hd_650_combo_usb/1 There is also an overview on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sro5ZxpzOXQ. Have you seen either of these?

[Chuck Engels]

No, I haven't seen either of those, thanks Bob.

I looked a few places to find one that would work, needed to be PCI-E for one thing because my Precision only has 2 PCI ports and both are taken up.
There are 4 PCI-E and 2 PCI-X ports, so PCI-E it was. HD capable, not for now but for later, and software to schedule recordings, record to as many formats as possible, I considered all of thos things. Also read a few reviews at Dell and Amazon, in the end this one was the best all around, price, functionality, and features.

[Chuck Engels]

Actually, the video on YouTube is my model, but the article is not.
The article has the USB version, not sure how much different that is from the PCI-e card version.

[Chuck Engels]

Nice video review Bob, thanks for the link

[Chuck Engels]

After weeks and weeks of waiting Dell continues to backorder the tuner card. I don't think they will ever really have it in stock so I canceled the order.
Now back to the drawing board, It took a bit of research to decide on that one and now I have to search for another model

[RJ Johnston]

Chuck, is this it? It's an ATI.

http://www.amazon.com/VisionTek-Wonder- ... 515&sr=8-3

[Chuck Engels]

That's pretty close if not the same. The one I had ordered was by another company but the same model and about $40 cheaper. I have a credit at Dell and would like to use that for the tuner card. But now it looks like I need a DVD/Cd duplicator instead anyway.

[GerryB]

I have been using a Happauge WinTV200 for a few years now, FM tuner running now, and have been happy with the results, but then my expectations could be described as low in this area. I bought it to record when the VHS recorder was also in use, but those days have passed.

I found the recorder interface a bit clunky and I don't think I would describe it as intuitive, rather you had to take slow deliberate steps when setting up the recorder.

Picture quality is dependant upon the the RF signal more than the PC & monitor, in my case. I planning to purchase a digital tuner as the UK is moving to digital terrestrial from analogue by 2012, so I will be following this thread.

Best wsihes,

Gerry

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks Gerry, I had looked at the Happauge cards (newer ones) but have heard too many conflicting things. Seems for some people they work really well and for others they are a nightmare. The ATI TV Wonder seems to get mostly really good reviews, especially the one I was looking at.

[JohnnyO]

I have had my Hauppauge PVR 150 for about 5 years now. i oroginally had it in my Pentium 3, and moved it over to my Pentium 4, 4 years ago wnen I bought it.

I have been very happy with it. It has never given me any trouble at all.

If I wanted to upgrade, I would strongly consider hauppauge.

[Chuck Engels]

Thanks Johnny, maybe I will have to reconsider

[Chuck Engels]

Dell finally got things straight and I am getting the card I wanted after all.
It shipped today so I should have it soon

[tjodork]

Dont know if you're looking for PVR software but Beyond TV is an excellent product --> http://www.snapstream.com/
It has a lot of features including being able to setup recordings over the web or via phone.
You can add multiple tuners and record multiple shows at the same time ....
with a plugin you can easily burn to DVD and automatically convert to ipod format ...