TV Tuner Recommendation

sniperchang

sniperchang

New Member
Hey Guys,

I'll be getting a new PC with windows 7 64bit. What TV tuner do you think I should get? I'd like either a hybrid or a combo. I don't really care being able to record analog and watch digital or vice versa at the same time. I'd prefer hybrid if it's cheaper. Either PCI or PCI-e is fine.

Ony one of these?

Thanks
 
The Hauppauge one is pretty good, I have a similar model (combo, not hybrid) and it works great for over the air HD.
 
1250 is good for the price. You cannot go back and fourth from analog to OTA HD without changin cables. Same with the 2250 for $60 more. I just bought the ATI 650 for $40, will let you know.
 
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I'd recommend the one I'm using - but Newegg and Amazon stopped seling em a month after I purchased mine. Power color ATI 550 - I'm using mine right now.

there are a handful of ATI 550 Pro cards on ebay for pretty cheap - some used / reconditioned - even saw a new one OEM.
 
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Gabe63 said:
1250 is good for the price. You cannot go back and fourth from analog to OTA HD without changin cables. Same with the 2250 for $60 more. I just bought the ATI 650 for $0, will let you know.
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If you have coaxial cable you would not have to switch the cables right?
 
Gabe63 said:
1250 is good for the price. You cannot go back and fourth from analog to OTA HD without changin cables. Same with the 2250 for $60 more. I just bought the ATI 650 for $40, will let you know.
Click to expand...

For the moment, I just have analog cable. But I may be getting HD digital stuff later, that's why I wanted a hybrid or combo.



Jamin43 said:
I'd recommend the one I'm using - but Newegg and Amazon stopped seling em a month after I purchased mine. Power color ATI 550 - I'm using mine right now.

there are a handful of ATI 550 Pro cards on ebay for pretty cheap - some used / reconditioned - even saw a new one OEM.
Click to expand...

Let's see what Gabe says about the 650. It's probably very similar.

salvage-this said:
If you have coaxial cable you would not have to switch the cables right?
Click to expand...

As I understand it, that's correct.
 
sniperchang said:
For the moment, I just have analog cable. But I may be getting HD digital stuff later, that's why I wanted a hybrid or combo.





Let's see what Gabe says about the 650. It's probably very similar.



As I understand it, that's correct.
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I bought the 650 and I HATE IT. I will return the card for the 1250. No remote, and the ATI TV software is awefull. I also received more channels with the HP1250 over the ATI650 and the same boosted sig.

The ATI does have 2 sep inputs, OTA and Cable.
 
Gabe63 said:
I bought the 650 and I HATE IT. I will return the card for the 1250. No remote, and the ATI TV software is awefull.
Click to expand...

You may still end up returning it anyway - but try it without the ATI software. I just used my Windows 7 Media Player. Everything I had read about these tuner cards - the hardware usually works fine - but the software can be buggy. Media Player bypasses the buggy part.

BTW - thanks for the update - :good:
 
Thanks for the info. I just tried it and it does work much better on the media player. I have to think about it, I do like the remote and software with the HP but I like the idea of two tuners. Can you buy a remote to work with the media center?
 
Gabe63 said:
Can you buy a remote to work with the media center?
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Yes

Here's a couple at Newegg. You want a MCE remote.

Amazon MCE remotes

I think that you plug an infrared blaseter into an open USB port - and place it where you want to point your remote to. Read some of the reviews to choose on.

I'm not finding it right now - but when I was looking at TV tuner cards - I'm pretty sure that Windows 7 can control a dual tuner - but only 1 Tuner card. So if you want 2 tuners with Media Center - they have to be on the same card.

I'm just using a single card without remote - for my needs so that's all I can speak to with certainty though :D
 
After thought if you are going to use WMC the ATI 650 is decent. I think I will go with the HP1850. It is also dual CH dual input with a remote. I also like their software, but I need to use WMC more to be sure.

I think the HP1250 is the best choice if you only need or want 1 input and want a remote.

Thanks
 
Gabe63 said:
After thought if you are going to use WMC the ATI 650 is decent. I think I will go with the HP1850. It is also dual CH dual input with a remote. I also like their software, but I need to use WMC more to be sure.

I think the HP1250 is the best choice if you only need or want 1 input and want a remote.

Thanks
Click to expand...

Sounds good to me. Thanks!
 
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