BEST TV Tuner options

D

debug

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Hi all,

I'm looking to get a decent tv tuner but can't decide if I must get a PCI card for my PC or a USB2 one for my PC/Laptop. I'm looking at the Hauppauge range - either Win TV PVR USB2 or the Win TV PVR350 (pci card). I need inputs to record from dstv (turning pc/laptop into a pvr) and inputs for video editing ie hooking up a vcr to record video to disk and burn to dvd. Any suggestions are welcome.

Regards
d
 
I have a Hauppauge card (PVR150) and I think its great, best TV card I've had. I think you can't go wrong with one of their PVR line ones...
 
you dont need the pvr350. It is practically the same hardware as the pvr250/pvr150, but also adds and mpeg2 decoding engine to the mix. very handy if you are....erm....erm....erm...actually, no it isnt handy, in fact, practically nothing supports the mpeg2 decode engine on the pvr350.

coz it was crap.

so dont spend the xtra money, get a 150 or a 150mce. newer stock than the 250 (so should be cheaper), and pretty much the same thing, but on a smaller pcb.
 
Question for the guys using the "150"

What pc are you guys running on? I've got a P4 3.0GHz with 1GB RAM. Should that be sufficient?
 
Sparky_za said:
Question for the guys using the "150"

What pc are you guys running on? I've got a P4 3.0GHz with 1GB RAM. Should that be sufficient?
Click to expand...

Your specs are more than sufficient.
 
I have the PVR USB2, it's amazing!!! It uses hardly any system resources and the capture quality is awesome. The main reason I like it is cos I can take it with me and plug it into my laptop and capture anywhere.

I use SnapStream's Beyond TV and it's incredibly user friendly.

As a side note, make sure that whatever you get has got hardware encoding. I've had my fill with software encoders and the endless battle with AV sync problems.
 
Last edited:
Video Quality

Sorry for resurrecting this thread guys but I do need some help here.

I have been looking for a tv tuner (any) by going into various shops and being told that they are - 1. Sold out or 2. Not kept.

I finally got my hands on a little Mecer USB unit.

Long story short it works but I am very dissappointed with the video quality of the unit.

Is there anywhere where I can get recorded clips made by these units (PCI or USB) to see which has got better quality? (Or could some of you guys with tuner-cards do a recording for me - I just need about 30 seconds to check the quality)

Thanks
 
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