is there such an HD tv tuner card?

[DukeN]

Is something like this possible:

PCI TV tuner card, that connects to coax cable and provides HD data to the PC?

i'e just lke the HD receiver does - receives coax cable, and outputs HD signal via component video.

In this case, it outputs to PC via PCI port.

Thanks

 

[Gamingphreek]

Not sure if this is what you are getting at...but would ATI's HDTV Wonder be what you are referring to?

-Kevin

 

[xtknight]

Yes, there are a few options. While ATI HDTV Wonder is OK, there are a few better alternatives such as:

[*]DVICO Fusion HDTV5
[*]Macro Image Technology MyHD MDP-130

These will only receive over the air broadcast (8VSB via UHF antenna) and some of them also unencrypted cable (QAM256). Where is this coax cable coming from? An antenna connector->coax converter, or from your cable company?

 

[Bateluer]

I wouldn't go for an HDTV Wonder, if I were you. I've got one myself. Its an adequate card, when you get it working. Heaven help you if you have an Nvidia card as your primary video card though.

I've heard good things about the MDP-130 and the HDTV5 though I do not own them myself.

 

[DukeN]

Originally posted by: xtknight
Yes, there are a few options. While ATI HDTV Wonder is OK, there are a few better alternatives such as:

[*]DVICO Fusion HDTV5
[*]Macro Image Technology MyHD MDP-130

These will only receive over the air broadcast (8VSB via UHF antenna) and some of them also unencrypted cable (QAM256). Where is this coax cable coming from? An antenna connector->coax converter, or from your cable company?

Cable company. Wanted HD on the PC without paying local cable co $15 per month for the receiver.

I have an ATI x800xt PE (jumped on the refurb deal). So basically, I want something for HD that can take in the cable from the cable co and output HD. does that exist?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: DukeN

Originally posted by: xtknight
Yes, there are a few options. While ATI HDTV Wonder is OK, there are a few better alternatives such as:

[*]DVICO Fusion HDTV5
[*]Macro Image Technology MyHD MDP-130

These will only receive over the air broadcast (8VSB via UHF antenna) and some of them also unencrypted cable (QAM256). Where is this coax cable coming from? An antenna connector->coax converter, or from your cable company?

Cable company. Wanted HD on the PC without paying local cable co $15 per month for the receiver.

I have an ATI x800xt PE (jumped on the refurb deal). So basically, I want something for HD that can take in the cable from the cable co and output HD. does that exist?

The MDP-130 will do just that (I have one actually), but note the "unencrypted" part. You will (likely) receive your HD locals (since those are generally sent unencrypted), but any of the premium/non-free channels (TNT, ESPN, whatever else they have in HD) you won't be able to tune with that tuner (or any other PC HDTV tuner).

The Fusion 5 will do the same thing basically, except it relies on your video card for output - so if you want component output, you'll have to do it through your video card (and only some video cards can do that).

Edit: And both of these cards can record and do timeshifting as well - HDTV recording is actually pretty "easy" in that it's just saving a transport stream without processing, but it requires tons of hard drive space

 

[DukeN]

Heh that is awesome man, I don't care for the premium chans, just basically the locals.

What I actually want the HD card for is for viewing HD on my media centre desktop, so the PQ is better t han the default coax.

Heck, i may even have to build a HTPC just so I don't pay the cable co for the second outlet just to save $ !!

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: DukeN

Originally posted by: xtknight
Yes, there are a few options. While ATI HDTV Wonder is OK, there are a few better alternatives such as:

[*]DVICO Fusion HDTV5
[*]Macro Image Technology MyHD MDP-130

These will only receive over the air broadcast (8VSB via UHF antenna) and some of them also unencrypted cable (QAM256). Where is this coax cable coming from? An antenna connector->coax converter, or from your cable company?

Cable company. Wanted HD on the PC without paying local cable co $15 per month for the receiver.

I have an ATI x800xt PE (jumped on the refurb deal). So basically, I want something for HD that can take in the cable from the cable co and output HD. does that exist?

The MDP-130 will do just that (I have one actually), but note the "unencrypted" part. You will (likely) receive your HD locals (since those are generally sent unencrypted), but any of the premium/non-free channels (TNT, ESPN, whatever else they have in HD) you won't be able to tune with that tuner (or any other PC HDTV tuner).

The Fusion 5 will do the same thing basically, except it relies on your video card for output - so if you want component output, you'll have to do it through your video card (and only some video cards can do that).

Edit: And both of these cards can record and do timeshifting as well - HDTV recording is actually pretty "easy" in that it's just saving a transport stream without processing, but it requires tons of hard drive space

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: DukeN
Heh that is awesome man, I don't care for the premium chans, just basically the locals.

What I actually want the HD card for is for viewing HD on my media centre desktop, so the PQ is better t han the default coax.

Heck, i may even have to build a HTPC just so I don't pay the cable co for the second outlet just to save $ !!

Yeah, that'll be fine then...either the Fusion 5 or the MDP-130 would work for you then (assuming your cable company leaves the locals unencrypted, which they should). The Fusion 5 Lite can be had for around $100, and the MDP-130 is a little more than twice that...the main difference being that the MDP-130 is a hardware decoder card and so has less CPU usage than the Fusion - and it also has its own video outputs (VGA that can be converted to Component easily, or DVI with a separate daughtercard). Either will be fine for tuning/playback/recording on a relatively recent computer, your main concern (as far as making a decision) will be the outputs (and price along with that).

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: DukeN
Heh that is awesome man, I don't care for the premium chans, just basically the locals.

What I actually want the HD card for is for viewing HD on my media centre desktop, so the PQ is better t han the default coax.

Heck, i may even have to build a HTPC just so I don't pay the cable co for the second outlet just to save $ !!

Yeah, that'll be fine then...either the Fusion 5 or the MDP-130 would work for you then (assuming your cable company leaves the locals unencrypted, which they should). The Fusion 5 Lite can be had for around $100, and the MDP-130 is a little more than twice that...the main difference being that the MDP-130 is a hardware decoder card and so has less CPU usage than the Fusion - and it also has its own video outputs (VGA that can be converted to Component easily, or DVI with a separate daughtercard). Either will be fine for tuning/playback/recording on a relatively recent computer, your main concern (as far as making a decision) will be the outputs (and price along with that).

Isn't everything in the cable encrypted, or no?

Heck, if you just want locals, an antenna+OTA tuner will do.

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: xtknight

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: DukeN
Heh that is awesome man, I don't care for the premium chans, just basically the locals.

What I actually want the HD card for is for viewing HD on my media centre desktop, so the PQ is better t han the default coax.

Heck, i may even have to build a HTPC just so I don't pay the cable co for the second outlet just to save $ !!

Yeah, that'll be fine then...either the Fusion 5 or the MDP-130 would work for you then (assuming your cable company leaves the locals unencrypted, which they should). The Fusion 5 Lite can be had for around $100, and the MDP-130 is a little more than twice that...the main difference being that the MDP-130 is a hardware decoder card and so has less CPU usage than the Fusion - and it also has its own video outputs (VGA that can be converted to Component easily, or DVI with a separate daughtercard). Either will be fine for tuning/playback/recording on a relatively recent computer, your main concern (as far as making a decision) will be the outputs (and price along with that).

Isn't everything in the cable encrypted, or no?

Heck, if you just want locals, an antenna+OTA tuner will do.

Most times the cable companies leave the HD locals unencrypted, from what I've read. Sometimes they encrypt the locals, and sometimes they forget to encrypt one of the "premium" channels, but most people seem to be able to get their locals over cable.

And yes, now that I think about it, if all you want is locals (and you're in a position to receive them by antenna, which is an important consideration), then yeah, an antenna would work equally well...

 

[DukeN]

Man you guys are an endless stream of info. I heard about OTA when the ATI card came out, but apparently it doesn't work in Canada. The thing with OTA is I already have a gazillion wireless devices here - trying to cut down actually (2 wifi notebooks), BT PDA, celly, 2 cordless phones, 2 wireless mic. Just wanted a cable one cuz I already have a cable running into my regular TV tuner card.

I may have to add this as a second tuner, for orb.com only supports the regular ones over the web (btw, you guys should check that service out, it pwnz!)