Thinking about a tv-tuner..

Hi computerforumers,

I'm planning on building a computer in which I can record my Dish TV. I havea couple questions thought:

1. From the feed from the satellite box, do I need a splitter to send the signal to my computer and tv?
2. What should I look for in a TV Tuner card?
3. Seeing as the only purpose of this computer is to record and playback video/audio, what components should I focus my money on? I know I'll need a pretty large HDD obvi, but will it be critical to get a good processor, a bit of RAM, and a decent GPU?
4. Finally, I plan on using Mythbuntu for an OS.. Where will I get drivers for all of my components to run on that OS? (or would I be better off with Windows?)

*bump*

this doesnt really answer your question exactly, but if you just want to record tv on your pc, you could get an external tv tuner. i got one for $25 and its works great. it connects through usb to my pc, and through rca connection to my tv. just a thought.

You just need a standard TV tuner. There are plenty out for there for less than $100, just make sure you get one with NTFS, ATSC and QAM tuner. Don't go cheap on a tuner, chances are they suck and don't have hardware mpeg-2 compression.

Okay...
TV tuner cards also have the ability to change channels and such, correct? How does that work?
Or do I just want a video capture card?

This is a card I'm looking at:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2942132&CatId=3493
However, it does not say it has NTFS (But use dish, so do I need NTFS?)

And, it says it has two antenna inputs.. WTF does that mean? I don't have wireless TV, why are there antenna inputs?

I got a TV Tuner, I think its a Huapage something like that, anyways its great. Ever since i got the new directv DVR where I can watch my shows though the network on my pc and since i got my DVD-Recorder, I haven't used it much... But its there, They are great, I had it 2 years now paid $39.99 for it...... Works fine, Dont go to cheep on them I have one in my moms pc that was cheep and it does not work the best, But there is no need to go $60 and up unless you want a really good one with HD. ( I am going to get one with HD soon, Cant wait till I do...

Alright, so all I need is one with ATSC then, since I'm using dish.

Are you using windows?
Would anyone recommend mythbuntu?

dannaswolcott said:

I got a TV Tuner, I think its a Huapage something like that, anyways its great. Ever since i got the new directv DVR where I can watch my shows though the network on my pc and since i got my DVD-Recorder, I haven't used it much... But its there, They are great, I had it 2 years now paid $39.99 for it...... Works fine, Dont go to cheep on them I have one in my moms pc that was cheep and it does not work the best, But there is no need to go $60 and up unless you want a really good one with HD. ( I am going to get one with HD soon, Cant wait till I do...

Click to expand...

Well it's completely useless to buy a NTSC tuner right now as all OTA broadcast is going digital in the US within 2 weeks.

raoul_1101 said:

Okay...
TV tuner cards also have the ability to change channels and such, correct? How does that work?
Or do I just want a video capture card?

This is a card I'm looking at:
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=2942132&CatId=3493
However, it does not say it has NTFS (But use dish, so do I need NTFS?)

And, it says it has two antenna inputs.. WTF does that mean? I don't have wireless TV, why are there antenna inputs?

Click to expand...

Yes the tuner can change channels, record on the fly etc etc. And that card looks pretty good. I'm not sure whether you'll use ATSC or QAM for your cable but that card has both so it'll work either way .