What TV Tuner card is best for me?

[steveklein]

I want to be able to watch one show while recording another (or record 2 shows simultaneously).

I'll obviously be using GBPVR... and I'll also have Girder software loaded on my HTPC.

One day I'd like to record in HD, though I know this isn't really possible right now. However, when I do get a TV Tuner card that will record HD for me, will I be able to just add it to my PC and then have extra tuners, or will I have to take out the old tuner?

I'm assuming the Hauppauge 500 is my best bet. Are there better options out there for me? I don't really know a lot about the differences between the 150, 250, 350, and 500.

[herbs]

I really hate these typeof posts ( I have nothing against the poster though) as you don't even state what your source is i.e cable, or sat or over the air, what country your in as this effect what cards are aviailable to you etc. You need to help us before you can help you.

[HTPCGB]

150-single tuner, most current tuner card
250-single tuner, came before the 150, all but replaced now by the 150
350-single tuner, mpeg decoding and tv-out, pain in the ass to set up (and I don't think GBPVR supports the TV-Out on it anymore)
500-dual tuner, essentially two 150's on one card

Until Sub supports the Nvidia dualTV, the pvr-500 is your best bet. Eventually when you want to record OTA HD, you would just add the card to your PC for more tuners. (assuming you PC is powerful enough for HD playback)

edit: herbs makes a good point, are you still planning on recording from the wall like you said over at byopvr?

[steveklein]

herbs...

Sorry. Didn't even know that information was important. In any event... I'm in the United States. As far as what the source will be... I'm actually not sure. More than likely it will be digital cable, but there's a chance it could be DirecTV satellite if I am unsatisfied with the digital cable offering (I'm moving to a new place to use this system and don't yet know what kind of offerings the digital cable provider will have).


HTPC...

Seems like my only real option is the 500 as it is the only one with 2 tuners... and it evidently is pretty new.

This is probably going to seem like a really, really stupid question... but if I don't ask it I'll never know...

How am I suppose to get the video feed from the 500 on my PC to my TV display if there is no "TV-Out". Surely there's a way to watch all this on the TV and not on a computer monitor, right? Would I use the s-video output on my regular old video card?

And also... once Windows Vista hits, HD-recording should be possible, given the computer is strong enough, right?

[lonegeek]

You would need 2 settop boxes to have dual tuners...

You can record HD now, for OTA ATSC...

[steveklein]

You would need 2 settop boxes to have dual tuners...

Hmmm. so 2 cable or sat tv boxes? that's not all that cool. my parents have a tivo system with directv and i know they can record 2 things at once, but i don't recall them having 2 boxes.

[jksmurf]

How am I suppose to get the video feed from the 500 on my PC to my TV display if there is no "TV-Out". Surely there's a way to watch all this on the TV and not on a computer monitor, right? Would I use the s-video output on my regular old video card?

Yes. Any video card with good S-Video TV Out will work fine. Try your current one first, it's likely to be fine. If not great and you have a fast PC, you can use teh CPU's power to help get a better picture via software. Have a look at this post by csy http://forums.gbpvr.com/showpost.php?p=1...stcount=28 for several cards that do Hardware acceleartaion, as well as DXVA.

Another alternative is the Hauppauge MVP, which connects over network cable (or wirelessly) and gives you a small quiet box next to your TV, rather than a PC (S-Video cable length is limited) but has limitations. See the WIKI for those. http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Hardware/MediaMVP

hth

k.

[HTPCGB]

herbs...

Sorry. Didn't even know that information was important. In any event... I'm in the United States. As far as what the source will be... I'm actually not sure. More than likely it will be digital cable, but there's a chance it could be DirecTV satellite if I am unsatisfied with the digital cable offering (I'm moving to a new place to use this system and don't yet know what kind of offerings the digital cable provider will have).

If a satallite/digital reciever is in the future you will want to get a USB-UIRT. This is because you need a means of changing the channel on the reciever for the tuner card to record. (Also keep in mind that with one box you would only be able to record one digital channel, the other would be analog only.)

HTPC...

Seems like my only real option is the 500 as it is the only one with 2 tuners... and it evidently is pretty new.

This is probably going to seem like a really, really stupid question... but if I don't ask it I'll never know...

How am I suppose to get the video feed from the 500 on my PC to my TV display if there is no "TV-Out". Surely there's a way to watch all this on the TV and not on a computer monitor, right? Would I use the s-video output on my regular old video card?

Yes, you have it right. You would use the S-Video out on a video card. If you have an HDTV, you can output an HD signal (using component or DVI) for a better looking desktop too.

And also... once Windows Vista hits, HD-recording should be possible, given the computer is strong enough, right?

HD recording *should* be possible. However, it is way too early too start planning for it. Recording HD in Vista will probably need special DRM-locked hardware anyways.

[jksmurf]

Hmmm. so 2 cable or sat tv boxes? that's not all that cool. my parents have a tivo system with directv and i know they can record 2 things at once, but i don't recall them having 2 boxes.

Normally the cable co's (makes good financial sense for them) send just ONE feed through any one box, so you can only view (or record) ONE channel at a time. Are you sure your folks weren't recording either FTA (free to air) analogue channels simultaneously with the Cable/SAT feed OR (apparently, I'm not in the US) sometimes they provide analogue ("free") channels with a Digital Box, which might be able to recorded simultaneously.

My understanding is that if you want to record two different programs at the same time you need TWO set top boxes.
k.

[steveklein]

Yes, you have it right. You would use the S-Video out on a video card. If you have an HDTV, you can output an HD signal (using component or DVI) for a better looking desktop too.

A couple other questions... I've got an AV receiver that has s-video and component inputs, but not DVI. My TV does take DVI though. Could I run audio from my PC to the receiver, and then to the TV... while having DVI run straight from the PC to the TV? The reason I ask is because I want to also use my PC to play music files, and I want that to use the speakers I have connected to my receiver... not the generic TV speakers.

Also, whatever cables I run from my PC to my TV are going to be pretty long (~30 feet). Is this going to present problems?