Recently, I decided to upgrade my old Hauppauge Wintv-radio 401 to something a little more compatible with Windows XP. I read the forums, and I chose to purchase the ASUS TV tuner card featuring the newer 880 chipset. I received the card and I had everything up and running in about 10 minutes. The first thing I noticed when I first viewed live TV was the picture clarity. It was very clean and crisp, but not quite DVD quality. The software (Cyberlink's PowerVCR II) installed cleanly and was very easy to use. The remote control was laid out very nicely, and could be even used to control the mouse! The remote could also be bound to other programs (i.e. Winamp, Internet Explorer) very easily with the included software. So far everything was good, until I analyzed the audio.
While watching live TV, I noticed that the sound seemed rather low, and that high pitched sound from speakers at too high of a volume could be heard. I tinkered around with the sound settings in PowerVCR and in the control panel, and nothing was fixed. I purchased a new coaxial cable and I did not see any improvement. I played with the MONO and STEREO settings, and still no improvement. Audio quality was even worse with recordings, that is if the sheduled recording would even work. I scheduled many programs to record Every Wednesday or Every Weekday, yet they didn't always record. But if I scheduled a one-time recording, everything would work as it should have. Also, PowerVCR didn't offer many capturing options. I could only record MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VCD, and MPEG-2 audio.
One of my buddies let me borrow his Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deluxe. I plugged it in and set up the software in a matter of minutes. I started watching TV and I noticed the video quality was about that of the ASUS card. Next, I noticed the audio quality. Wow! It was excellent! This was exactly what I was looking for. The software installed cleany, but is not as user friendly as PowerVCR. This card also has an FM tuner; the ASUS does not. The software offered many options for capturing video and audio. The only thing I did not like about the Leadtek, was the length of the remote's receiver. The cord is just too short.
In the end, I chose the Leadtek, because I like good audio and the video seems to be of the same quality as that of the ASUS card.
Here are my overall thoughts:
ASUS TV tuner
PROS:
- Excellent picture
- Uses 880 chip
- Fundamental remote (can be re-programmed easily)
- Remote can double as a mouse
- Easy installation
- User friendly software
- Can capture up to 720x480
CONS:
- Below average audio quality
- Lack of options for capturing
- No FM tuner
- Scheduled recordings did not always work (read above for problem experienced)
- $80
Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deluxe
PROS:
- Excellent picture (seemed to be just as good as the ASUS)
- FM tuner
- Easy installation
- Many capturing options
- Excellent audio quality
- Easy to use remote
- Sheduled recordings have not messed up yet
- $60
CONS:
- Software is not as user friendly as that for the ASUS card
- Uses 878 chipset
- Cord for remote's receiver is too short
Here are some useful links:
ASUS TV tuner
Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deulxe
I hope this helps all of you that are interested in upgrading to one of these cards.
One more thing, Leadtek is coming out with an 880 version and will be called the Leadtek TV 2000 XP Expert. I don't know of a release date as of yet, but if I find out I will post it.
-bott82
While watching live TV, I noticed that the sound seemed rather low, and that high pitched sound from speakers at too high of a volume could be heard. I tinkered around with the sound settings in PowerVCR and in the control panel, and nothing was fixed. I purchased a new coaxial cable and I did not see any improvement. I played with the MONO and STEREO settings, and still no improvement. Audio quality was even worse with recordings, that is if the sheduled recording would even work. I scheduled many programs to record Every Wednesday or Every Weekday, yet they didn't always record. But if I scheduled a one-time recording, everything would work as it should have. Also, PowerVCR didn't offer many capturing options. I could only record MPEG-1, MPEG-2, VCD, and MPEG-2 audio.
One of my buddies let me borrow his Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deluxe. I plugged it in and set up the software in a matter of minutes. I started watching TV and I noticed the video quality was about that of the ASUS card. Next, I noticed the audio quality. Wow! It was excellent! This was exactly what I was looking for. The software installed cleany, but is not as user friendly as PowerVCR. This card also has an FM tuner; the ASUS does not. The software offered many options for capturing video and audio. The only thing I did not like about the Leadtek, was the length of the remote's receiver. The cord is just too short.
In the end, I chose the Leadtek, because I like good audio and the video seems to be of the same quality as that of the ASUS card.
Here are my overall thoughts:
ASUS TV tuner
PROS:
- Excellent picture
- Uses 880 chip
- Fundamental remote (can be re-programmed easily)
- Remote can double as a mouse
- Easy installation
- User friendly software
- Can capture up to 720x480
CONS:
- Below average audio quality
- Lack of options for capturing
- No FM tuner
- Scheduled recordings did not always work (read above for problem experienced)
- $80
Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deluxe
PROS:
- Excellent picture (seemed to be just as good as the ASUS)
- FM tuner
- Easy installation
- Many capturing options
- Excellent audio quality
- Easy to use remote
- Sheduled recordings have not messed up yet
- $60
CONS:
- Software is not as user friendly as that for the ASUS card
- Uses 878 chipset
- Cord for remote's receiver is too short
Here are some useful links:
ASUS TV tuner
Leadtek TV 2000 XP Deulxe
I hope this helps all of you that are interested in upgrading to one of these cards.
One more thing, Leadtek is coming out with an 880 version and will be called the Leadtek TV 2000 XP Expert. I don't know of a release date as of yet, but if I find out I will post it.
-bott82