Are these two TV tuners one in the same?

[imported_g33k]

These two cards appear to be identical, except for price.

Sapphire 550$71.00 OEM

ATi TV Wonder Elite $141.00 Retail

Should I just get the Sapphire over the ATi? Are there any differences I'm not seeing? It's a doubling in price to get the ATi. Are you just paying for the name brand there?

 

[imported_g33k]

bump

 

[freethrowtommy]

Go with the Sapphire... it is exactly the same hardware... the software may differ but I am not sure.

Oh... beware when you buy OEM from newegg, if it is like referbed, then you may not get any software or remote... I would at least look for a retail Sapphire and pay the extra couple bucks.

 

[imported_g33k]

Yeah the card is identical. The remote control is a different model and the software maybe different. Not sure why anyone would pay double the price for the ATi. OEM is not refurb, what is pictured there should be what I recieve. Let me see if I can find a retail box...

 

[imported_g33k]

I'll probably go with the retail box just to be safe.

http://www.allstarshop.com/shop/simprod.asp?ad=fg&pid=10401#

 

[rbV5]

I use the Sapphire Theatrix, and while not all the 3rd party theater 550 cards are identical to TV Wonder Elite, I believe the Sapphire card itself is. I have no idea why anyone would pay almost double for the TV Wonder Elite, certainly it couldn't be "just" for the better remote.

Just be aware that the included PowerCinema PVR software is lacking any kind of EPG, which makes it next to useless for a PVR duties. I got mine for my MCE box, and it is an excellent combination.

 

[xrax]

the hardware can be slightly different, Saphire makes them both but manufactures them using slightly different specs, using cheaper parts for their version. Same design but lower quality.

 

[imported_g33k]

Originally posted by: rbV5
I use the Sapphire Theatrix, and while not all the 3rd party theater 550 cards are identical to TV Wonder Elite, I believe the Sapphire card itself is. I have no idea why anyone would pay almost double for the TV Wonder Elite, certainly it couldn't be "just" for the better remote.

Just be aware that the included PowerCinema PVR software is lacking any kind of EPG, which makes it next to useless for a PVR duties. I got mine for my MCE box, and it is an excellent combination.

Are there any free Electronic Programming Guides out there that I could use with this card? I have Win XP.

 

[imported_g33k]

Originally posted by: xrax
the hardware can be slightly different, Saphire makes them both but manufactures them using slightly different specs, using cheaper parts for their version. Same design but lower quality.

If they do use different parts, I would think its pretty minor. If you look at the close up pictures of the card there at Newegg, the cards are identical in every way, shape, and form.

 

[xrax]

like I said same design using cheaper parts

 

[imported_g33k]

I figured I'd post this review detailing three Theatre 550 pro cards (ATi, Sapphire and Powercolor). The only difference between the cards are the remote and the brand of memory. The ATi uses 4.0ns Samsung, the Powercolor uses 4.0ns Hynix and the Sapphire uses 3.3ns Hynix brand memories. All three TV tuners come with the same software, Power Cinema 3. This without a doubt tells me that the ATi card is definitely not worth the price premium.

Review

About the only con to the cards are the included software. As mentioned by poster rbV5, Power Cinema is clumsy to use and does not include an EPG. Unless you have Win XP MCE you will need to use a 3rd party EPG. The recommended free EPG to use with this card is GB-PVR. Beyond TV also supports this card but you have to pay a monthly subscription.

To summarize every review I've read on this product: This is the best TV Tuner, surpassing other cards well above its price point in terms of image quality. The black spot on the card is the included software being useless. Though, this can be fixed by installing third party software.

I hope this helps anyone looking to buy a TV Tuner.