TV tuner on PC

[hneaz]

i am looking to purchase a tv card so that i can watch tv channels on my pc. my budget is $50. what card can i buy? also, i have this TVU player software that shows channels like ESPN 2 and Espn. what do u guys think of this program?

 

[Asus]

Hauppauge WinTV GO Plus
$51.45 online (45.99+5.46 shipping)
It's actually cheaper in a local retail store. $50 (plus tax).

Keep in mind this is a software TV tuner. Hardware tuners will take less system resources and generally look better (but cost more).
But this one is good for basic viewing.

 

[hneaz]

what kind of channels can i watch? only the ones provided by my cable company? i would most want something that shows a decent quality... the one of TVU player shows too much grainy images, but hell, i can watch the ball (watching world cup).

 

[Asus]

It is an analog tuner. Will go up to 125 channels. Has an IR blaster (control digital cable or satellite box).
It should work just like an analog TV but on your PC and with a recording feature.

 

[hneaz]

how is the picture quality? im thinking of watching HD channels.... does this card supply those channels?

 

[Krynn72]

Just dont get a Norwood Micro tv tuner from compusa for 20 bucks.

I made that mistake.

 

[Asus]

If you want Digital then you want a card with the new ATI Theater 650 chip.

Should be out sometime in July. I don't think there are any digital tuners out in the US atm. Could be wrong. I know they have em in europe but their TV codes are different.

It will replace the ATI TV elite (550 chip). Sapphire also makes one. They run $100-130 but are analog only. I have one. great card and good quality for recording. A little slow on channel changing though.

 

[hneaz]

you gave me a wrong link to some site.

 

[Asus]

Here was the link
Had something else in my clipboard I guess.

 

[secret friend]

I bought a Leadtek TV card not too long ago. About $50

it's currently in my closet.

I couldn't stand the software and the quality of the video wasn't that good