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TV Tuner Cards

Started by Tilar, July 13, 2012, 02:57:13 PM

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Tilar

I've been thinking about getting one just to play around with. I have a couple open slots in my tower so I have the room...

Anyone have one?  Pros and cons of any paticular brand? What about software? Anything I should take into consideration before I buy one over the other? I'm considering something in line with maybe the first few that are on this page ===> Here
Dave  

God must love stupid people; He made so many.



BananaDan

I used to do this years ago when ATI used to make their All-In-Wonder card that doubled as a TV Tuner card and a 3D gaming card.  This was easily 10 years ago.  Hauppauge is a respected name (the last time I was into TV cards).  I would recommend some review reading if you're going to spend money on something good.  NewEgg's reviews are usually good to read, plus you could check out Tom's Hardware and AnandTech.

It's worth noting that most modern cable/satellite systems are encrypted and you won't be able to put the coax right into your computer unless you get a card that also has a slot for a CableCARD.  You'll have to get a CableCARD from your TV provider to light up the card in your PC.
*This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.®*



Great spirits have always encountered violent opposition from mediocre minds. The mediocre mind is incapable of understanding the man who refuses to bow blindly to conventional prejudices and chooses instead to express his opinions courageously and honestly.  ~A. Einstein

Tilar

Interesting, So would it be a good idea to maybe call my cable company and see what they say about it?
Dave  

God must love stupid people; He made so many.



b5blue

Signal is everything, the crappy little stick one won't pick up much at best if your going that route. (I tried one for my laptop and took it back.)

Charger RT

I have seen the cards but can't figure out a need for one. What would it allow you to do?
Tim

Tilar

Quote from: b5blue on July 13, 2012, 09:29:23 PM
Signal is everything, the crappy little stick one won't pick up much at best if your going that route. (I tried one for my laptop and took it back.)

The few that i've looked at appear to let you hook your cable right into the card.


Quote from: Charger RT on July 13, 2012, 10:13:06 PM
I have seen the cards but can't figure out a need for one. What would it allow you to do?
Tim

As far as a need for it, I can't think of anything in the world that I "need" that I don't already have... I think it allows you to watch tv on your computer and maybe record but I'm not sure. I see some things on the TV like the news that I think would make funny videos if you combined different things together. This is just something to play with.

Dave  

God must love stupid people; He made so many.



Charger RT

Thanks for the info. I don't have any type of pay for TV just a 30 foot high antenna. Digital TV sucks for a signal. I just use the antenna to basically watch news. All TV shows once shown on TV are released to "the scene" and can be downloaded to your computer and either watched there or with the right set up streamed to a TV. My wife works crazy hours and this lets her watch all her shows in released order with no mid season reruns. Or watch old seasons of shows.
Tim

Steve P.

I've heard that in some areas, the reception is great, but others really suck for the antenna's. They say that you need a different digital antenna for the area you live in. Rule of thumb is BIGGER get's more channels and a better picture. Try NOT to shoot over a roof or through trees as the radiation messes with the picture. Same as a dish...
Steve P.
Holiday, Florida

surmanajaja

I have tried literally dozens of cards + usb sticks and cant recommend any of them, but the most reliable one so far was Terratec.

the worst was ATI X1900 all-in-wonder, they never got the drivers working so it jammed often even though it was big bucks when I got it.

2Gunz

I think you are just going to waste your money.

Unless you live in the city or have a good antenna your going to get almost nothing.

Hooking your cable tv line up to this won't work either unless your cable company is broadcasting
In unscrambled analog. Which I highly doubt. And if if it where you would be unable to watch "pay" channels.

You could hook your cable box up to this to make it work.  But I fail to see the point. Might as well
Just buy a small tv.

I have a few and they where awesome in the past.  But for the reasons above they are no longer very real vent
Unless you are in a few specific situations.

Do a google search for "cable card" and "cable card box".
I think this is more emerging and relevant technology.

2Gunz

Missed bannadan's post before.

He's all over it.

DougMN

Quote from: Charger RT on July 14, 2012, 07:52:21 AM
Thanks for the info. I don't have any type of pay for TV just a 30 foot high antenna. Digital TV sucks for a signal. I just use the antenna to basically watch news. All TV shows once shown on TV are released to "the scene" and can be downloaded to your computer and either watched there or with the right set up streamed to a TV. My wife works crazy hours and this lets her watch all her shows in released order with no mid season reruns. Or watch old seasons of shows.
Tim
What is "the scene"?

oldcarnut

I had a couple of HP media centers with a tuner card in them.  I could plug the cable cord directly in to and watch more channels than I could through the cable modem to the TV.  Was nice to be able to record shows and watch them later even if it was on the PC.

surmanajaja

Quote from: DougMN on September 08, 2012, 10:35:07 PM
Quote from: Charger RT on July 14, 2012, 07:52:21 AM
Thanks for the info. I don't have any type of pay for TV just a 30 foot high antenna. Digital TV sucks for a signal. I just use the antenna to basically watch news. All TV shows once shown on TV are released to "the scene" and can be downloaded to your computer and either watched there or with the right set up streamed to a TV. My wife works crazy hours and this lets her watch all her shows in released order with no mid season reruns. Or watch old seasons of shows.
Tim
What is "the scene"?

pirates who release all movies, games,tv episodes,music etc. they have their own rules, and if you release by the rules then its a "scene release", if you release something to the internet not following the rules (for example,tv-episode has to be 352x288 resolution etc) then its a P2P release, not a scene one.

biggest place to find scenereleases is piratebay.org

W4ATL

If you are into Linux try Myth Tv. If not, try it anyway. It's free.

http://www.mythtv.org/detail/mythtv