TV Tuners

[staticprimer]

My TV is a piece of crap which is actually smaller than my monitor, so I am thinking about getting a TV tuner for my computer. I don't really know much about them though. What are good brands? Is there any extra software I need to watch TV? Will I be able to hook a console up to it?

 

[DEATH eVADER]

From my experience, its not so much the case of extra software (these are usually bundled with the tuner), but you will need some sort of Aerial device to actually get the signals for internal computer tuners. You can, however, buy USB stick versions or external ones that have their own mini aerials.

I am planning to buy a One for All signal booster at my work tomorrow (for my tuner), so I could reply back to you for my verdict.

 

[staticprimer]

I was planning on plugging my cable into it, you can do that right?

 

[Asus]

ATI and Hauppauge make good analog TV tuners. They have cheap ones and the better picture quality ones start at $50+ (ATI TV Wonder 550/Hauppauge WinTV PVR 150). Some models do have digital tuners but they mostly just work with digital Over-The-Air signals. Some have started offering clear QAM support (free basic digital channels over analog cable).

Personally I like ATI's more recent tuners better because of picture quality. But their included software sucks. I use BeyondTV with my tuners (TIVO like functionality). I think Hauppauge has good basic software included though.

 

[staticprimer]

This one seems like it would fit my needs well:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815294004