Any sub $100 HARDWARE BASED HDTV tuner cards out there yet?

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

I just bought a software based Twinhan HDTV tuner card for about 30 bucks. I am returning it, (it is not dependable) and I've decided that from now on, I am only going to be looking at hardware based HDTV tuner cards.

So, are there any of these out there under 100 bucks yet? I'd like one that has low CPU utilization, because I'm not planning on upgrading until December. I'd also like one that will work with a number of online tv scheduling programs out of the box. (in other words, support ed by a wide variety of programs) Oh, and it would be great if it could record without utilizing the system's sound. The one I used to use got messed up whenever I used Gizmo Project to do Internet phone calls, because both programs were using the system sound. In other words, hopefully I don't have to use a sound cable on the back of the PC, to run sound between the back of the sound card and the TV Tuner card.

Can anyone recommend something like this for me? Thanks!

 

[SynthDude2001]

The only one I'm aware of is the MyHD MDP-130 (I used to own one), but it's not anywhere close to $100 yet as far as I know. It does have a hardware MPEG2 decoder though, so CPU usage is very low. It also has its own video and sound outputs, although you can configure it to send the sound over the PCI bus. I would kind of hesitate to recommend it at this point though, due to the cost, and the fact that AFAIK no new drivers have been released for it in over a year. So if you ever have any plans of moving to Vista (especially the x64 edition), don't bother.

It's definitely a nice tuner, but I sold mine last summer due to the lack of support for newer operating systems (and a few other reasons). Right now I'm pretty happy with an Artec T14A (USB) tuner - I bought it from the FS/T forums here for $13. Runs great in Vista x64 Media Center, and while of course it uses software-based decoding, I hardly ever see above 50% CPU usage with an A64 3200+ (at 2.6) and an old 9700 Pro.

You may want to check out this site for a pretty good overview of currently available HDTV tuners to help you make your decision.

 

[superbooga]

What do you mean by "hardware-based" HDTV tuner cards?
- ATSC?
- QAM?
- MPEG2 encode?
- MPEG2 decode?

 

[manimal]

I am currently testing a Kworld HD qam analog/digital tuner 115 in vista with very mixed results. I have only been able to get analog cable into the system and the antennae I am using indoor is not cutting the mustard so I am as of yet unable to tune over the air HD. I would stay away from this card since it uses a ton of CPU to run and the software is meh.

 

[rbV5]

The main reason I don't use my old hardware card is because of piss poor PVR features and zero MCE support.

You want to have decent HDTV PVR features that are supported in a vartiety of programs, software based cards are your ONLY choice.

 

[Night201]

Like This?

With Good Software

 

[hellokeith]

I have the Hauppauge 1600. It can do analog capture to MPEG-2 and OTA ATSC stream capture simultaneously. Get a good outdoor antenna if you plan to do OTA HD.

With Good Software

I think you meant to say with the Best software.

 

[GunsMadeAmericaFree]

>What do you mean by "hardware-based" HDTV tuner cards?

I mean that the software provides an interface for you to control the card only - nothing is emulated or actually done in software.

For example, there are true hardware modems that still use chips to do signal processing, and then there are winmodems that emulate chips in software, and force your CPU to do some of the work, which makes the winmodem cheaper. (because they don't have to put as many hardware chips on it)

So, I want a hardware modem that uses real hardware chips, and doesn't offload processing onto the system's CPU.