DVB-T2 PC Card Questions and Recommendations Please

[Croftie]

Hello,

Could you help me decide which HD TV card to get. I think dual tunner will be enough because all the HD channels are on the same MUX but I'm concerned about the reported problems with Blackgold cards, are TBS a decent alternative?

I understand TBS have a loop through, is this passive, so it will still work if the PC is turned off?

Stock for both blackgold and TBS seems very thin on the ground, is there a reason for this, like new models coming out soon and I should wait before buying anything?

It will be replacing a Compro E900F which has been solid, will be sad to see that go but I crave HD.

Thanks.

[martint123]

Can't help you really as I haven't kept up with what is available (Being mainly just the UK using T2 means not a big market so not a lot available and expensive??)
I ended up keeping my nova-t-500's and added a TBS USB T2 nanostick. This works fine once it is run from a powered hub rather than the HP microserver. I use an amplified splitter for the whole how so loopthroughs are not a problem for me.

[Graham]

I have been using a Blackgold for nearly a year without incident. I would buy Blackgold again.

[Petrovski]

Blackgold 3620 used for two years no problems [none that I can blame on the card any way]

[ACTCMS]

I've had a PCTV 290e USB tuner for well over a year now. Performance was a bit variable on the laptop - I remember a few threads about it saying that it worked fine when attached to a powered USB hub. Since I installed it on a tower PC a few months ago, it's been flawless.

Alex

[gEd]

Blackgold 3620 used for two years no problems [none that I can blame on the card any way]

+1

Great tuner. Rock solid drivers and superb picture quality.

[Croftie]

It seems most of the problems with the blackgold I have been reading about have been with the Quad tunner version.

From what you say the dual should be ok, question is can I justify the extra £21 for the blackgold?

The blackgold would allow me to reduce my areal feeds from 3 down to 2, but the TBS would allow me to cut them down to just 1 because of the passthrough.

TBS seem to have removed their DVB-T2 cards from their product page on their site, should that worry me?

I'd love the blackgold but the lower price and passthrough is pushing me towards the TBS.

[gEd]

well martin says that his TBS is working well (importantly from powered hub) so go for that one then.

[Graham]

It seems most of the problems with the blackgold I have been reading about have been with the Quad tunner version.

The problem-free tuner that I referred to earlier is this four tuner ...

http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159.s...ts/BGT3650

It is expensive but I should be future-proof ... hopefully.

[gEd]

The problem-free tuner that I referred to earlier is this four tuner ...

http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159.s...ts/BGT3650

It is expensive but I should be future-proof ... hopefully.

yes, I bet it costs a four tune[r]!!
(i'll get my coat)