PCI/USB Model recommendation

[DrPepperMD]

For years, I've wanted to get involved in making a homebrew PVR. Early on, I decided was the program I wanted to use. I bought a new computer, and I think my old computer has the necessary specs to use it as a PVR full-time. It's a P4 duo processor. I want to install a bigger hard drive and a tuner card that has hardware encoding (and more memory, if necessary).

The problem is that I've opened that old computer up, and it doesn't have any PCIe slots, only 3 PCI slots (one being occupied by the 56K modem I never use) and an AGP slot. And I don't know much about this stuff, but researching it, they appear to be half-length cards (about 7 cm deep). I know that they're 120 pin, 32 bit, and 3.3 V. I don't know if any of that means anything.

I always planned on going with a Hauppauge tuner card, but the only PCI one, the 1600, is full size, I think?

My computer has a ton of USB slots. I see people have used the Hauppauge 1950 (which connects via USB 2.0 and has a hardware encoder). Should I get that, or does anyone have any other recommendations for USB or PCI half-length slots.

I don't have cable. I'm only planning OTA digital signals from an antenna, in case that matters. Bonus points if I can install more than one tuner so I can watch live TV while recording.

Any help anyone can provide would be greatly appreciated.

[kevintickle]

3 PCI slots (one being occupied by the 56K modem I never use) and an AGP slot. And I don't know much about this stuff, but researching it, they appear to be half-length cards (about 7 cm deep). I know that they're 120 pin, 32 bit, and 3.3 V. I don't know if any of that means anything.

I always planned on going with a Hauppauge tuner card, but the only PCI one, the 1600, is full size, I think?

Hi,

Hauppauge has a few cards that are PCI (not PCIe) but I think you're right that the 1600 is the only PCI one with a digital tuner. You could also look at the WinTV-HVR-950Q which is USB.

They also have some here that are analog cable only (which I guess if you're only using antenna will only be good until Feb 2009): http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/prods_pvr.html

The PVR-150 seems to be pretty popular around here. I've been using one for a few years now and it's been great. I just upgraded to the USB model HVR 1950 and it seems very good, too.

I'm not totally sure what you're talking about with the half-length cards, but I suspect that it's just superfluous information. If it's a regular PCI slot then any PCI card will work.


Hope this helps.