Tuner card for HTPC

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ben62670
ben62670 Posts: 15,969
edited May 2008 in Electronics
OK I would like a tuner card for my PC. I am almost positive I should get an ATSC/QAM card. There are a bunch of cheap ATSC cards out there, but I am thinking I would like to be able to hook up to cable when I get it. How does sat work. Can you view free satellite stations via a PC?
Thanks guys.
Ben
Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
Thanks
Ben
Post edited by ben62670 on
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,675
    edited May 2008
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    Look for ones that support Vista. Most of them don't, so, when MS forces us to go to Vista you still have a card that works. Also look for HDTV cards but refer to previous statement.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
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    Thanks E. I am also taking a serious look at the usb models. The heat in my case with the quadcore, 8800, and 5hd's is pretty high as it is, and the PCI-PCIe models through off some heat too.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
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    Well I messed up, and bought this card locally for $80. The card sucks so bad it is not funny. I have no radio, real system, or TV here. Just my puter.
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815144018
    It's going back, and the one below is on it's way!
    MCE remote, and all the formats I could want including QAM!
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116015

    I know better than to buy stuff without at least reading the reviews on newegg:o
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • engtaz
    engtaz Posts: 7,675
    edited May 2008
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    Hauppauge makes the most supported TV cards out there. They are the standard bearers but, vista is a major problem with most TV cards. Verify vista support on package and the manufactures site.

    engtaz
    engtaz

    I love how music can brighten up a bad day.
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited May 2008
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    I been using Hauppauge for the longest time. I love the TV in my PC.
    Since everything is going HD I was also looking to update my card and I found the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800. I was about to buy it when I realize the following:
    1. just because it says that they support NTSC, and ATSC/clear QAM, they all need cable.
    2. QAM is just over the air HD channels (local channels)
    3. all cable providers have scramble the HD signals, now you need a cable box to decode the signal.
    4. if you are using the regular cable (not the HD cable) then you will get all 125 channels without a cable box.

    All and all I think this card is probably the best in the market, but to get the HD channels you will need a cable box.
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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  • olilugo
    olilugo Posts: 405
    edited May 2008
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    I found that frys has it for 79.00 after a 40$ mail in rebate...
    http://shop2.frys.com/product/5409619?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG
    Current HT setup
    Mains: B&W 804s
    Center: Polk CSi5
    Surround: Polk FXi3
    Sub: Velodyne DLS-3750R
    Receiver: Pioneer SC-07
    Amplifier: Sunfire TGA5200
    TV: Sony KDS60A2020
    DBP: Sony DBP-S350
    CDP: Pioneer DV-48AV
    Interconnect cables: SignalCable analog II
    speaker cables: SignalCable Ultra Speaker Cables Bi-wire
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
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    I have plenty of HD OTA here, and I do realize that scrambled is scrambled, but for my situation this card is going to do me just fine. The vista support is not an issue with this card, and the MCE remote is just that an MCE remote that works with Vista's MCE:)

    Thanks Guys.
    Review soon.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited May 2008
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    reported
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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