Which tunrer card to get

[Wicked Klown]

Ok been looking at getting a tuner card for awhile and need help picknig one out. So far I've looked at the TV Wonder 550, TV Wonder 650, PVR150 and the PVR500. I have DirecTv and looking at something to say record from a camera and a vrc if I wanted to. It seems the 650 has both digital and analog on it. I've also read aboutt he newer PVRs have trouble. Was also looking at BeyondTV or SageTV for the front end, as with both you can get a tuner card with them. Also in case you need to know system specs are e4300, abit quadgt, 2gig g.skill pc2 6400 and a 7900gt ko.

[Jon]

You're not planning on any HDTV recording are you (other than OTA)?

Also, the PVR-500 is not going to give you any advantage over the 150 unless you have two STB.

[Wicked Klown]

You're not planning on any HDTV recording are you (other than OTA)?

Also, the PVR-500 is not going to give you any advantage over the 150 unless you have two STB.


Not planning on doing any HDTV recording as of now. I guess my real choice was betweent he 650 and the PVR150. I know BeyondTV and SageTV offers the PVR150 with thier software. If the 650 is better tho I don't mind getting that then buying either BT or ST.

[Jon]

The 650 offers OTA HDTV. Considering where you live (I looked up Sheboygan on antennaweb.org), you should pick up quite a few stations if you're not surrounded by huge mountains or neighboring houses. As far as being an analog tuner, I'm not all that familiar with ATi and most of the HTPC sites I frequent aren't too high on them. That doesn't mean it wouldn't be a good card, however.

I actually have the PVR-150 and it's a pretty good card. Reliable, highly configurable, plenty of support due to its popularity, and doesn't require much to get it going.

I guess it's really up to you when it comes down to it. The ATi will give you the HD when you want/need it (you actually don't need a HDTV to watch it - it will be downconverted on an SDTV - I used to do this and the picture was clearer) and the Hauppauge has a huge support base.

[Wicked Klown]

I read a review awhile back and I know the TV Wonder 550 beat the PVR150 out. Since Hauppauge changed tuner chips the IQ and such has went down hill. Kind of funny as this seems like a simple choice yet it's not all that simple. I want something good and works, that and I only have 1PCI slot open on my mobo. I know LandShark runs a PVR500 and a Fusion5HDTV Lite tuner , wihc is great for him. I however have an Auzenech XPlosion in one PCI leaving me 1 left to play with.

[Wicked Klown]

After a little reading I think I might go with the TV Wonder 550. One it's cheaper and a good piece to start out with and then work my way up. It also seems that the 650 has problems doing 1080i, not a problem yet I'll be getting my TV later on. From what I read the 550 seems like a pretty good card to start out with.

[LandShark]

you probably can't go wrong with either card, PVR150 (I used to have) and Theater550.

[Oroka Sempai]

Dont mean to thread-jack, but its not worth a thread of its own.

Has anyone checked out any of the forementioned tuners with Vista? My POS cheap-ass tuner will never ever work with Vista (well, I am really really not getting my hopes up)?

[Wicked Klown]

Dont mean to thread-jack, but its not worth a thread of its own.

Has anyone checked out any of the forementioned tuners with Vista? My POS cheap-ass tuner will never ever work with Vista (well, I am really really not getting my hopes up)?



No prob thread jack away. From what I have read the TV Wonder 650 works in Vista. Only thing is you can not go from analog to digital in it on the fly.

[MRD]

I have a PVR-500. It's basically just 2 150's glued together on one PCB. I like it because I can record 2 shows at once, and it works very well in Linux (I use MythTV).

I haven't screwed around with digital yet, although in the next few years I will have to do that, as everything is going in that direction. That's going to be a pain in the ass though.

[Deanzo]

Dont mean to thread-jack, but its not worth a thread of its own.

Has anyone checked out any of the forementioned tuners with Vista? My POS cheap-ass tuner will never ever work with Vista (well, I am really really not getting my hopes up)?

550 works very well with vista 64 :)

[Just shoot]

If you haven't bought one I have a hdtv wonder card, card only, I'll give you for shipping. Let me know if your interested. I bought it for the OTA HD for MY HTPC and then shortly there after purchased a 70" Sony wega with a OTA HDTV built in. Its not much but it does do hd well.

[hyperasus]

This card here looks pretty dang good.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815122007

component video input and Vista 64bit driver.