$30 tv tuner cards and other questions

[Gabe3]

Can I get some recommendations for a tv tuner card around $30 new or used. I want it to support over-the-air HD and the regular kind that comes through the comcast cable. I guess thats called NTSC?

That law with digital cable that happens next february I think. That only effects people using antennas correct? I have the usual comcast cable that goes up to like channel 80. VH1, MTV, and the hobo country channel are the last three.

I don't know if my comcast subscription includes the QAM. But surely that would be easier to receive instead of using a antenna to get OTA HDTV. Can rabbit ears recieve OTA HDTV or do I need a special antenna?

I will be using in the computer below with vista x64 business so I need some software to go along with it, I guess GBPVR or something, I have nero v8 and it has a tv application, not sure how good it is. I don't need a radio tuner, or a remote but the remote would be nice.

OS: Windows Vista Business x64
Motherboard: DFI LanParty UT nF4 Ultra-D
CPU: AMD Opteron 165 Dual-Core @ 2.8ghz
Video: EVGA Geforce 8800 GT
Monitors: ViewSonic 22" LCD 16:10 duel w/ HP 17" LCD
RAM: G.SKILL Extreme Series 4GB DDR400
Audio: Chaintech AV-710 w/ Logitech X-540's
PSU: AcBel 500watt w/LCD Monitor Panel
HD1: RAID 0 x2 Western Digital 160gb AAJS 7200rpm
HD2: Maxtor 160gb 7200rpm

[sgilani]

Can I get some recommendations for a tv tuner card around $30 new or used. I want it to support over-the-air HD and the regular kind that comes through the comcast cable. I guess thats called NTSC?

OTA HD is called ATSC, and you'd need a capture card with a digital ATSC tuner. Any standard capture card like the Hauppauge PVR-150 or Aver M150 among many others will pull in the analog cable channels, just like your TV would if you plugged the cable straight into your TV.

Since you want both, you should look for a card that has both an analog and a digital tuner. I think Hauppauge makes one like that. Or, you could get two cards if you wanted to do it that way. $30 is probably not enough of a budget, though.

That law with digital cable that happens next february I think. That only effects people using antennas correct? I have the usual comcast cable that goes up to like channel 80. VH1, MTV, and the hobo country channel are the last three.

Yep, that only concerns OTA analog channels. Nothing changes for cable.

Can rabbit ears recieve OTA HDTV or do I need a special antenna?

You don't need anything special, good 'ole rabbit ears will work just fine, as will any other antenna. Of course, it might not work so well if you're in an area where the signal is weak or something like that, but always give rabbit ears a try before putting up an antenna in your attic or on the roof. You could try those indoor amplified antennas as well.

[pcostanza]

I'm playing around with the HVR1600 which will do what you want but there's PCIe cards out as well. I don't think you'll find anything for your price range but you can give eBay a try.
For the record, I'm mostly pleased with my 1600 and most of my problems are with OTA signal strength and I'm working thru it.

[Gabe3]

I wanted to find something on ebay that had both since I figured theres nothing out there with both new for around $30 new.

I was looking into the ati HDTV wonder because its pretty cheap on ebay but I was reading it has bad picture quality. Whats comparable to the ati wonder 650 and ati HDTV wonder? (it doesn't have to be something ati)

BTW: I can do all interfaces, pci, pci-express, usb....

and thanks for the info sgilani.

[sgilani]

For ATSC digital tuners, the tuner card has nothing to do with picture quality.. all it does is tune into the digital stream and starts spitting out an MPEG-2 stream, and then it's up to your decoder to play it.

pcostanza is right.. the HVR-1600 is probably your best bet since it will do your analog cable channels, OTA ATSC, and I believe also QAM. I think I saw those for around $90 on newegg.

[Gabe3]

QAM is not very important for me since I'm not sure if I even get it with my comcast cable or if it costs extra money.

i found this: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...815310002R

its open box so thats why its cheaper, do you think the HVR 1600 is better then that one? iam thinking best bang for the buck...

[rob11252]

This SAPPHIRE Radeon Theatrix 650 PRO TV Tuner which you found on Newegg doesn't have ATSC tuner, so no HDTV for you with this one!

[Gabe3]

This SAPPHIRE Radeon Theatrix 650 PRO TV Tuner which you found on Newegg doesn't have ATSC tuner, so no HDTV for you with this one!

Thanks for pointing that out. I figured all the 650's had ATSC.

[topperdude]

Maybe this may interest you (hope its ok to post ebay links here). I am not the seller, just found it while searching for some components for my HTPC.

-Topper

[Gabe3]

Maybe this may interest you (hope its ok to post ebay links here). I am not the seller, just found it while searching for some components for my HTPC.

-Topper

thanks. i'll keep an eye on it when the auction gets close to end time.