Hauppage 150 MCE? or Regular?

dantonic

Member
Nov 8, 2006
176
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Hi, I want to put together a PVR, but I'm not sure if to go the Windows XP MCE route, which I would have to get my hands on... and purchase an MCE compatible hauppage card.

Or just purchase a regular hauppage 150 card, and use GB-PVR. Anyone have experience with both?

Is GB-PVR worse, same or better than MCE software?
Thanks for any suggestions.
 

Gamingphreek

Lifer
Mar 31, 2003
11,679
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81
The MCE version merely has no remote or anything. It is just the bare card because it is intended for use on XP MCE which has its own software and remote. They are the same card though.

The Hauppauge cards right now have out of date drivers and everything. The ATI HDTV Wonder and TV Wonder both are excellent pieces of hardware- however, ATI's drivers are so horribly awful I can't even get mine to work.

I would also recommend Beyond TV for the MCE software. It is very user friendly and IIRC not too expensive.

-Kevin
 

MDE

Lifer
Jul 17, 2003
13,199
1
81
Originally posted by: Gamingphreek
The MCE version merely has no remote or anything. It is just the bare card because it is intended for use on XP MCE which has its own software and remote. They are the same card though.

The Hauppauge cards right now have out of date drivers and everything. The ATI HDTV Wonder and TV Wonder both are excellent pieces of hardware- however, ATI's drivers are so horribly awful I can't even get mine to work.

I would also recommend Beyond TV for the MCE software. It is very user friendly and IIRC not too expensive.

-Kevin
If you go the HDTV Wonder route, then you'll still need an MCE-capable analog tuner card.

 

dantonic

Member
Nov 8, 2006
176
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0
Well, going with MCE would cost me more seeing as I do not have MCE, I would have to purchase it.

Is there an advantage to using Windows MCE?? is GB-PVR the free software comparable to the features of windows XP MCE?

thanks
 

almach1

Senior member
Sep 3, 2005
323
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I was having the same dilema 2-1/2 yrs ago.

i decided to get a legal OS and the Hauppage MCE with remote and IR blaster included.

I am so glad I did that because i didn't waste any money now that I went with VISTA premium. Don't ever have to worry if my remote or older software will be compatible with future versions of windows, since it's for windows.
 

Modular

Diamond Member
Jul 1, 2005
5,027
67
91
Originally posted by: dantonic
is GB-PVR the free software comparable to the features of windows XP MCE?

thanks

Yes. I have the regular PVR-150 and use GB-PVR for my HTPC. It works flawlessly and IMO is a much better option than Windows MCE (mostly because it's free). Windows MCE is fine if you already have it, but why waste the $ on a new OS if you don't need to? Also GB-PVR has a huge support forum where you can find help. In every one of my posts about problems, the actual creator of the software has chimed in to help me solve them. There's no way you can get that kind of support from anywhere else. The choice is clear here..PVR-150 and GB-PVR.

Enjoy!