TV to the PC USB Box Questions TV tuner, watch tv on pc

Adventure Man

Adventure Man

New Member
Hey guys I wanna put our cable television on my pc. Would like to record shows, watch news while trolling the forums etc. lol. I already have an agp video card that is for gaming, no tv tuner. So I'm left with one option: buy an external USB 2.0 Instant TV Box and connect that way. Here's one I'm looking to buy, it's really expensive and I'm kinda wondering what the heck distinguishes the good ones from the bad? Why do I see tv tuner boxes selling for 30 bucks that apparently do the same exact thing as a Hauppague that sells for 130??? Ok that link, at the top is the cheapo one, scroll down and the prices will get higher ending on the second page with a 130 dollar hauppague usb box. Just wanted to see what the deal was. (Moderator, if you want me to take the link off, no problem, I just thought it provides some useful help to people trying to give me a hand).
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...&Subcategory=47&description=&Ntk=&srchInDesc=
 
Adventure Man said:
So I'm left with one option: buy an external USB 2.0 Instant TV Box and connect that way.
Click to expand...
Um...no... Do you not have any PCI slots left in your computer? I'd highly suggest getting a PCI card over USB. The performance is much better and the cards normally cost less. Also, don't get a cheap card. If you want to record stuff, you do want something with a build in MPEG2 encoder. I'd strongly suggest the WinTV PVR 150. That's what I have and the quality's awsome. I've captured stuff from old VHS tapes then put on DVDs with next to no quality loss. The only drawback is there's a 3-5 second buffer lag. Don't expect to play consoles though it.
 
The_Other_One said:
Um...no... Do you not have any PCI slots left in your computer? I'd highly suggest getting a PCI card over USB. The performance is much better and the cards normally cost less. Also, don't get a cheap card. If you want to record stuff, you do want something with a build in MPEG2 encoder. I'd strongly suggest the WinTV PVR 150. That's what I have and the quality's awsome. I've captured stuff from old VHS tapes then put on DVDs with next to no quality loss. The only drawback is there's a 3-5 second buffer lag. Don't expect to play consoles though it.
Click to expand...

thanks for the help. How do you connect the monitor, do you unplug it from one video card (say the agp), then plug it into the pci card with the tv tuner, and then switch the windows settings for the pci card? Sorry I'm stumped, please clue me in thanks a bunch.
 
ok i think i understand now. duh LOL. hey "other one" what should i look for in a pci card, just for it not to be cheap? lol Like what is cheap 30 bucks?
 
:D
I was thinking of going with the Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150 274 Personal Video Recorder (PCI). What do you guys think? Word is that all the models on that card (250, 500) have the same quality, just as you go up in model number you get more stuff (programs, fm tuner, remote etc.). Well just wanted to hear opinions on this. Thanks again. :D
 
You shouldn't get any higher quality than what the 150 offers, just more features(decorders and such) The PVR 150 is an awsome card and I'd strongly suggest getting it. I'm glad I got mine :)

Also...there is an edit feature :P
 
thanks other_one, yeah I mean, all the add ons are cool. The remote will definitely be amiss, so will the FM tuner. I might actually fork over a few more dollars for the remote/fm tuner. I don't plan on buying one of these cards again (I always say that for some reason, then find myself at the store LOL).
 
i just bought a usb tv tuner off tiger direct for 19.99 after a $20 rebate i think it was it was called ADS tv tuner or something it is realllll good
 
leSHok said:
i just bought a usb tv tuner off tiger direct for 19.99 after a $20 rebate i think it was it was called ADS tv tuner or something it is realllll good
Click to expand...

yeah i got a hauppauge 150 and to be perfectly honest, nice card but the software is a nightmare. Installing the drivers was a royal headache and the tv program it comes with is total trash, didn't even work for me, ended up getting a third part tv program. What a joke. Hardware is good though.
 
Yes... The WinTV can be a bit of a pain when it comes to drivers and their software, but the hardware is practically unbeatable.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top