Need Monitor and TV Tuner advice!

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Wein13

New Member
Hello, I recently built a new computer, the one in my signature. Now that I've got it up and running, I have a couple things I still need. I have about $450 left in my budget, and I need to get the following items:

Monitor(s) - I'm thinking dual 22" widescreens
TV Tuner Card- needs to be internal

I don't know much about monitors or tv tuners, so I would really appreciate any suggestions anyone could give me. I would like the monitors to have DVI connections or better though, since I do have a HD 4870, and VGA would be a waste :).
 
The 2005 Viewsonic 19" widescreen model used here accomidates both vga and DVI. A number of various makes and models will see the same for allowing use on older cards.

When looking for a tv tuner card that will depend on which version of Windows you are running. AVerMedia's A180 works well in Vista unlike many others like the Pinnacle PCTV Pro here that works well in XP but no picture in Vista despite an extended support request? Yet Vista compatibility is advertised!

The AverTV card went suddenly after a year of use seeing a different make and model for both digital and analog/s-video/composite input. Both are PCI type cards and work like champs in XP and come with remotes. You are just missing a sale on the A180 however as seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100020

Hauppage is a popular brand and even MSI offers a few pci cards to look over depending on what features you are looking for. Most better cards run close to $100- in general while a pair of basic tv tuner/pvr cards are seen at http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=2000380047%2050001312%201148410218&name=PCI

Lcds are chosen by the type of system you run mainly. If you game a lot the lowest response time under 8ms is always best. 2ms is the lowest.

Just for one quality lcd being a 22" widescreen and seeing a good response you won't be able to get two however with only $450 to work for a pair plus a tuner card. Brands like Viewsonic, LG, Asus, Samsung, Acer all see prices over $200-. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produ...9996 1309822582 131061713 1310621391&name=2ms
 
I don't game a whole lot, so I think a 5 ms response time would be just fine for my purposes. With this in mind, there are a number of 22" widescreens for less than $200 each, Here. I've found some others on other sites, but it always seems to be Aus, Acer, or Hanns-G. Is any of these better or worse than the others, or is there a specific monitor in this price range that stands out?

For the tuner card, I am running Vista Ultimate, so I want one that actually works in Vista. I just want to be able to record shows that are on when I am working, since I work 6-11 Mon-Thurs nights. While it would be nice if it could receive HD signals, it is not required. Would one that is able to decode digital signals be a good idea, so it doesn't become useless in February? Either way, can you make a recommendation of a tuner card?

I found this tuner on sale, how is it?
 
Some have complained about Acer while others rave about that brand. 5ms is about right for most while anything over 8mb like the old 12ms 17" model I ran for a few years is slow.

The 19" widescreen Viewsonic model here was simply caught onsale at Staples and sees a taller base stand then most. I imagine their 22"s are just as good if you are looking for a larger selection of makes. LG, Nec, Viewsonic, and others are all going to be priced over the $200- mark for getting into the better line of models to choose from.

I paid $300 for the old 17" here back in 2004 simply catching the 19" onsale having missed out on a large mark down a few months back(May/June) seen on 22" models. An lcd for $250-$270 still leaves plenty of room for the tuner card at the link there or another since those typically run from $70-$100 depending on features. The model there is cable ready but would still need a box inline to view.
 
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