Suggestions for a low-end but good TV Tuner?

[Kevinnumber9]

I'm really not looking to buy anything extravagant but I'm overwhelmed by the list of tuners and don't even know where to begin looking through all of the possibilities.

I currently just have a Plextor ConvertX PX-M402U but it doesn't switch channels, it just feeds composite in one direction directly through and into the computer (no tuner). So I'm currently running the composite out from my vcr and having to manually set the vcr's tuner to a channel whenever I want to record.

I don't really need multiple tuners or even a remote, just a straightforward low-priced single-tuner card without remote to put an analog cable tv connection into and that works well. If there are recommendations, especially from Sub, I'd appreciate it.

Thanks!

[sub]

The best advice is to get a mainstream card, like the Hauppauge PVR150 or HVR1600. Common cards like this are much better supported, and less likely to have problems.

[pcostanza]

I've had a PVR 350, 2 PVR 500's a recently, a 1600. All Hauppauge and I've had zero problems with all. They all are still used but I don't recommend the 350. You're much better off as sub suggested with the 150 unless you want twin tuners which I personally think is worth the extra $$$.

[aa4hg]

Keep your eye on Circuit City because they run the Hauppauge 1600 card for $79.00 or less. They seem to work pretty well, even though, I haven't used them on cable.

[FuzzyPapaBear]

If all you want is analog cable then the Hauppauge PVR-150 is the way to go. I've been using a pair of Hauppuage 150s without any problems for a while now. Circuit City tends to have them on sale with mail-in rebate from time to time. I don't know about HDTV yet. I haven't been able to make up my mind on what HDTV card to get. A few folks like the PVR1600 and I've heard good things about Divico's cards and Silicon Dust's HD-Homerun.

[flyswatta]

How cheap? I picked up an Emuzed MAUI III card off eBay for $25. Works as good as my PVR150's, but they're tricky to find. I just checked and there's only one for sale for $99 :eek:

If budget is a huge concern, go through the supported hardware cards on the wiki, then search eBay (or maybe Craigslist) for them. If you deviate from the supported cards, then I wish you the best of luck.

If budget's not a huge concern then PVR150 is the way to go for just straight analog.

[Kevinnumber9]

Thanks everyone for your advice