got a WinTV USB, it sucks, anyone know of a better one?

[crazychicken]

i need a usb tv tuner/RCA input/RCA output

i bought a winTV USB, but it doesn't have rca output, and you have to use all kinds of adapters to even get RCA in.

anyone have a better one?

david

 

[MWink]

First of all, you're not going to get a video output on a USB TV tuner. That just does not make any sense. If you want a RCA input without an adapter I still can't help you. If you have complaints about the picture quality or something then I may be able to help you. I have the ATI TV Wonder USB Edition and I've been pretty happy with it. I've heard some people companing about some non-ATI USB TV Tuner and I have not run into the problems they were complaining about. I hope this helps somewhat.

 

[crazychicken]

thanks

any other opinions/suggestions??
bump

 

[Pink0]

Yes, the USB version of ATI's TV wonder uses different drivers which are okay. Stay away from the PCI versions though.

 

[odog]

stay away from PCI? are you high?

a PCI TV tuner will have Svideo and RCA inputs, and Svideo and RCA out with an adapter.

USB is not to tv tuner or ethernet adapters... its for scanners,joysticks and people that can't install and PCI card.

 

[Pink0]

Please re-read my post. I was talking about the PCI version of ATI's TV wonder line. It has a TON of problems. See this thread for more information. PCI capture cards are obviously superior in general just not ATI's.

 

[Pink0]

USB is not to tv tuner or ethernet adapters... its for scanners,joysticks and people that can't install and PCI card.

Oh man, I wish I knew how to do a rolling eyes emoticon. What a dumb statement.

 

[MWink]

I see a flame war brewing so let me settle this. I have used 2 PCI TV tuners (STB TV PCI, ATI TV Wonder VE) and 1 USB TV tuner (ATI TV Wonder USB). In most respects they are really equal. Both have a ton of problems for some people and no problems for other people. I have a feeling that USB is probably overall slightly more problematic. Both are just as likely to have the input connectors you want. I've seen PCI cards that don't have S-Video in. NEITHER will have a TV out! These are TV TUNERS not video cards or scan converters.

The one big difference between the USB and PCI tuners is the picture quality and resolution. PCI cards can do 640x480 (interlaced) uncompressed. USB tuners (the one I have) can do 320x240 (non-interlaced) compressed. Basically the USB one looks like a good quality Divx file. That is about the only real difference between PCI and USB.

 

[odog]

USB in general sucks, it can do many things. i personally trust it with anything i don't have to. this may be due my earlier experieneces with via chipsets, and the whole usbsupp.exe funk in windows 95.

i personally refuse to use, usb ethernet adapters and all other "high performance" USB devices...(tv tuners getting put in that group)

as far as video in video out. my WinTV-D has it, but i suppose thats not the status quo.