Hardware upgrades - longterm nz user

[dazza139]

I have been used GBPVR for the past 3 years and have found it fantastic. Currently I used PVR350 card and use wired MVP connected to my TV. A couple of times I've tried connecting to the video-out of my graphics card but the picture quality is crap.

So now I'm ready for an upgrade. I'm in NZ and I want a dual tuner Hauppauge card which will allow me to watch and record freeview (DVB-T)

I would also like to do away with the MVP so a graphics card with a fantastic TV output and one which is a must. Can anyone make any good suggestions?

Lastly I need a remote control.

Would appreciate any advice anyone can give. I'm on my way to Hong Kong in a weeks time so I'm hoping to pick up some cheap components

dazza

[stustunz]

you probably need a whole new pc if your current setup only has AGP graphics card(you didnt say but im guessing if you are worried about graphics then im guessing...)
as for dual tuner dvbt the hvr 2200 is the card you need pci express (another reason for a updated motherboard)
video card a 8500 or better for HD in new zealand (not available in agp)
remote the mce2005 is the best receiver as it lets you bring the machine out of standby
i think there maybe a vista version out now (i dont use vista waiting for next version of windows vista reminds me of windows ME)

[csy]

I fully agree with stustunz, the Hauppauge HVR-2200 dual hybrid tuner is the way to go. Both DVB-T and analogue work great for me, and in-fact the analogue has better picture quality and better input sensitivity than my old PVR150MCE. I however do note that other forums have reported problems with the HVR-2200 having poor DVB-T input sensitivity (pixelisation in bad weather) but i haven't noticed this myself, and also reports of card failure (failed to start - code 10 error).

If you live in an area with poor DVB-T signal strength, then the DigitalNow "DNTV Dual Hybrid PCIE S2" has exceptional input sensitivity (I had to attenuate the input by 6dB to stop the input overloading), but this tuner is DVB-T only and channel changing is marginally slower than the HVR-2200.

[dazza139]

Thanks for the feedback so far. The HVR2250 seems to be the way to go from what I've read on the forum. I think you're probably right about the motherboard as well.

As for the graphics card, can anyone recommend a specific one? I want to avoid anything with a noisy fan so preferably a passively cooled one would be a good idea. Also I have an older loewe TV whcih has only scart, rgb, or s-video connections and I don't want to upgrade this just yet although would like to be able to use newer standards later one (HDMI?)