Dual Capture Question: single card with 2 tuners vs two PVR150 cards?

[hollow5555]

I'm building a second GBPVR box (this one is for the family room) and I've gotten a great base to start with. It's a dell optiplex gx270 with a 2.4ghz P4, 512mb of ram, and everything onboard. Just in case the onboard card doesn't support tv out (with a vga to tv converter) I've got a PCI video card with S-Video out.

Now the question is this: I'd like it to have the ability to capture multiple feeds at the same time. I plan to hook one feed into the standard digital cable box I have (analog feed out of the box, so that means the card has to be able to capture analog) and then hook the second feed to a plain old antenna (using the internal tuner to switch channels. I guess I'll also need one of those new fangled converter boxes, eh?). I know there are several multiple feed cards on the market, namely the PVR500. I see Hauppauge now has a new version of that card out as well. I don't have an HD tv, so HD isn't a necessity. What I'm wondering is which is better: A card like the PVR500 with multiple inputs on one card, or two cards with single inputs like the PVR150?

Also, do I NEED more RAM or would it just be nice to have? I don't have a problem adding more if I have to.

My biggest question is the best way to capture two feeds at once and what other gear i'd need (rabbit ears, converter box, etc...).

Thanks again in advance. You guys always have good feedback!

[zed]

The 500 is essentially two 150 cards in one so it takes only one PCI slot...it's functionally equivalent to two 150's in a single slot. There are two sets of inputs...two tuners and two s-video or A/V inputs. So it's kind of up to you. I used a 500 because I was limited in PCI slots. If you have enough, two 150's will work fine. There really isn't any difference beyond that.

As for memory, I ran with 512M with no problems but you can never have too much memory.


(If you want to go with a 500 card, I don't use mine any more since I've gone all digital. I'd make you a good deal on it.)