disturbed_pyro

Okay i've been gone for a week or two now, i moved out to pocatello this week, still don't have my computer with me. I'm hijacking my bros for a minute. Basicly My new apartment is dorm style, small bedroom but it has free cable/internet so free TV. I have a 32" TV that is mine, but i lack the neccessary space for the thing in my tiny bedroom. Since i moved over an hour away from home new friends are a must, old friends a weekend only thing, i need some time killers.\

Enter ?, I need to know a good TV tuner that i could hook up to my Compy that is PCI, will let me watch teh free cable tv in my apartment on my monitor, and has a remote function. I am also broke for the most part so cost vs reliability is an issue. However since this is going in my main rig i don't want a POS card that will kill my computer either.

Thanks guys.
Pyro AKA DP

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Boomer8450

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro Enter ?, I need to know a good TV tuner that i could hook up to my Compy that is PCI, will let me watch teh free cable tv in my apartment on my monitor, and has a remote function. I am also broke for the most part so cost vs reliability is an issue. However since this is going in my main rig i don't want a POS card that will kill my computer either. Thanks guys. Pyro AKA DP

I have a Hauppage dual tuner iwth a firefly remote and beyond TV that I'm pretty happy with - but it's not exactly cheap, either. I think all together it was $250 or so.

I have a crappy old VStream Tv tuner sitting in a drawer that has a remote, but the software is pretty much useless, and it uses the soundcard for incoming sound, so it's a real pain getting the input volume right. I don't know if there's any cheap/freeware that would work with it. I'll send it your way for $8 (easier than you sending a 6-pack this way for it :-) + shipping, if you want to give it a shot. The remote receiver is a tiny little IR thing you'll need to tape up somewhere.

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HigHTecHReDNecK

DP ,

check out this (my ) thread , I asked the same question and some of the folks linked some real good inexspencive cards

http://forums.pcapex.com/hardware_ad...ob_advice.html

I BTW went with the Theater Pro 550 ( cuz it was on sale )

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The Dragon Reborn

Quote: I BTW went with the Theater Pro 550 ( cuz it was on sale )

As HigHTecHReDNecK , probably found out.... these cards are just great!!!

Got one myself.... and I love it!!!! And if you want a great FREE PVR program... check out
Media Portal (or Myth TV of you are into Linux..)... Who needs Microsoft?

TDR

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disturbed_pyro

Ha i actually looked at that thread and was a bit confused, wasn't sure if the tuner would work with the cable since your thread was about cable/directtv and doing a switch. Wasn't sure if the signals/decoders were the same or what. (Sorry i realize that is really stupid now but, i know JACK about TV's)

I've had a bit of a bad streak with ATI products, so i was wanting to keep my nice Nvidia based system clear of ATI since it seems like they hate each other and ATI hates me. I have a Nforce 3 250 chipset and a ASUS n6600 graphics card. I have no clue if that will interfere with each other, i know sometimes ATI GPUs tend to have fits in Nforce based mobos. Like i said TVs and TV tuners i am a blank on... Something i plan to remedy but since my compy is 60 miles away and all research is hard to come by.

Anyways i'll look into that ATI 550 tuner, also i read in that thread the Tuners get hot? like how hot are we talkin? enough to make my somewhat buggy GPU overheat? ANyways thanks for all the help so far guys.

BTW HTRN if your lookin for Direct tv i know a way to get you a discount on it if your intrested.

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Marc

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro Anyways i'll look into that ATI 550 tuner, also i read in that thread the Tuners get hot? like how hot are we talkin? enough to make my somewhat buggy GPU overheat? ANyways thanks for all the help so far guys.

That was in reference to ATI's all in wonder cards(tuner+gpu on the same card), someone suggested.

Yes the tuner does get very hot, but mounted as far as possible from the gpu, with good case cooling, it shouldn't be a problem.

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The Dragon Reborn

Nah... it really doesn''t get HOT... just "warm to the '' touch.."... no need to worryy...

TDR

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disturbed_pyro

Ahh good, cause my case has somewhat poor ventilation after i watercooled it. Dropped the fan count by half, bdue to the others being focused on the radiators.

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Cyno01

Quote: Originally Posted by disturbed_pyro Ha i actually looked at that thread and was a bit confused, wasn't sure if the tuner would work with the cable since your thread was about cable/directtv and doing a switch. Wasn't sure if the signals/decoders were the same or what. (Sorry i realize that is really stupid now but, i know JACK about TV's)

You can plug it straight into the cable and it'll work just like a cable ready TV, thats what i've done for 2 years and will continue doing. If you have digital cable (and want to use the box, analog cable will always be on the line and you can plug that in, which is what i'll do once i get digital cable since i'll have the box hooked up to a better TV), or a dish with a reciever, you can plug either box into the ins on the card for a VCR or whatnot and just change the channels via the box.

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disturbed_pyro

Okay i found me a card i think, Its based off the ati 550 chipset.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...87#DetailSpecs

its in my relative price range 75.00 (I can't buy a 19" LCD tv for 75.00 so its much much cheaper )
Anyways, what do you guys think? is MSI's TV tuners worth it? Or should i try to find a ATI or Saphire ver?

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The Dragon Reborn

Nah... just buy it! It's a "reference" design, just like my Sapphire...

Just remember.... should you have any problems "setting it up" don't hesitate to PM me!
I'll gladly help you out...

TDR

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disturbed_pyro

I was just wondering because i know ATI built the chip and Sapphire builds ATI's cards, didn't knwo if it would be better to get the card built from the same guys from teh ground up or not

anyways thanks TDR i'll be sure to hit you up if i tweak somethin wrong

oh btw cabelone SUCKS!!!!! DSL all the way, i miss my dsl... this cable fluctuates between 300k-3m daily.

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