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I need a video card recommendation

Perhaps, but i think we can manage.

To play video files (avi? DVD?) onboard graphics is sufficent. Some codecs like h.264 (aka Mpeg4) can benifit from having a seperate graphics card with hardware decoding (means it's not stressing your CPU).

To watch TV or record it on your computer is a different kettle of fish. You need a TV card for that, either digital, analouge or a hybrid that can do both. Digital means you get to watch digital channels, but won't be able to use a VCR or standalone DVD player. Analouge means you're stuck with either a digibox or analouge TV, hybrids do both but cost more.

These can either be USB sticks, USB standalone boxes or PCI cards. Most will come with a remote, some can be used with windows MCE.

Which one to buy? Pass, i've extensive experience with Hauppage who make good hardware but terrible software.
 
I have a spare computer sitting around. I thought I could use it as an entertainment center by putting in a video card(s) which will let me play video files and record TV programming.
 
If you are going to hook it up to a TV, I would recommend getting something like Windows XP MCE or MythTV. Check which tuner is compatible with those. Then, see what kind of output you need to your TV. If you can use VGA/DVI, do that. Otherwise, you should get a card with S-video out. If your TV doesn't have S-video, some graphics cards have RCA-out, but you can also get an S-video to RCA cable. Another option is to get a VGA to S-video/RCA converter.
 
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