Capture board

[web_maven]

Here are the TV Cards that are on my list.

AVerMedia 550
Hauppauge PVR250 MCE
PVR2000

The first two are my top choices. The AVerMedia 550 costs about $110 the PVR250 is about $99 the PVR2000 is about $150. All have the built-in Radio which I like.

I am still waiting on additional info on the AVerMedia 550 Chip but the thing I like is the V-Sharp technology for video capturing. I don't see this for the PVR250 and PVR2000.

The Hauppauge PVR250 is tried and true people say it has good capture quality and it will work. I was thing about the PVR350 but it’s pricey and sounds like it’s buggy. If someone could give me a compelling argument about quality I will thing about the PVR350

The PVR2000 is at the top of my price range some comments on this board say it's very good but I don't know anything about it.

I am looking for quality recording with the radio feature at a good price.

Please try to be specific with your comments.

A bit about the system I am putting together:
Motherboard: EPIA M9000
HD: 40Gb 7200
RAM:256MB
CD: 4x DVD+/- RW
Remote: Niveus Media PC Remote.
Case: Custom case made from an old VCR
The Via EPIA M9000 has Composite and Svideo out - 5.1 audio out with an on board MPEG 2 decoder.

Any Suggestions?
Raymond

[sub]

I dont have any real comments on the capture boards. I've only ever tried the PVR250/350 from this list.

Just so you're aware, you'll probably find the M9000 barely fast enough to display MPEG2 video. Low bitrate should be OK. These board dont really have an MPEG2 decoder - this is just part of the marketing...

[stmok]

Personally, I would get one of those PCI risers that allow you to install 2 or 3 PCI cards into a single PCI slot. ( For a 3 slot PCI riser, look for one that as a PCI-bridge chip ).

Here's what they look like...Here's a 2 slot PCI riser.
http://www.mini-itx.com/store/default.asp?c=8#p1902

Then, I would get a PVR250 and XCard.

[web_maven]

I see that the PVR350 has both MPEG 1/2 encoder and decoder, a FM tuner and Remote which all of my issues. Does anyone have thoughts on the PVR350 does it work well? Are there any known issues with GB-PVR?

Raymond

[sub]

Yes, there are many know issues with the PVR350. It works well as a capture device, but the MPEG decoder (and OSD) only works reliably with some motherboards.

[web_maven]

Last question. With the Xcard do I need a seperate monitor to view GBPVR or does everything go out through the Xcard. I saw on some forums that you need a second monitor for the menus which would not be a good thing with the wife. I have the buy-in on HTPC concept but having one monitor for Menu display and the other for Video display will not fly.

Raymond

[sub]

All of GB-PVRs menus/video/music go through the XCard tv out. The XCard doesn't display your desktop at all though.

[web_maven]

As an HTPC I don't want my Desktop to show, but what about apps that I launch with GBPVR? like starting DVD Shrink. Would I see this with the xcard?

[sub]

No - you wouldn't be able to see DVD Shrink on the XCard, only the GB-PVR menus and video.

[web_maven]

Sub;

Last question about Xcard and I think I saw this in an other thread but the 256 color OSD for the Xcard also effects view pictures and video files? I could understand them menu and deal with that, you could make a nice menu with 256 colors but if you want to display pictures this is a problem.

Also is there some type of screen saver build into GB-PVR?

I will be pulling the triger on the PVR 250 with the Niveus PC Remote Control, I think I will hold off on the Xcard until I can sort out all of this, I do like the HD output of the Xcard but there is too many restrictions.

I have been doing some test on a M8000 and dvd playback is good and since this will be in my bedroom HD is not an issue at this time (But soon for my HD TV)

What I am trying to do is put together a standard system that I could build for people and sell it, of course I will add donation funds for GB-PVR. For right now I am looking for the parts that will work the best with the least amount of configuration.

Thanks,