looking for a good video card and tv tuner that fit my needs

[cesto]

im in the debating stage of what parts to purchase. it seems most of the video cards recommended on this forum are for gamers. since i'm not an avid gamer, this wouldnt be necessary. i'm looking for a quality card which will give me a great picture for when i watch movies andone which will be up to par when i'm doing video editing etc. from reading reviews it seems the connect3D Radeon X800GTO would be a good choice. anyone have any opinions on this?

also, i was about to purchase an ATI tv tuner card until i read some posts recommending an hdtv one. just as i thought i would go this route, i was discussing decrypting satelittle signals with the TV tuner card with my coworker. he mentioned that ATI cards could not do this. so once again i'm back to square oneof what route to go. i'm pretty new to tv tuner cards so im learning this as i go. i would like tohear some feedback on this if possible as well.

thanks all!

 

[cesto]

edited topic. it was deceiving...i'm not looking for a combo or All in One...just two cards that fit what i'm looking for.

to elaborate on the tv tuner card...if there are some hacks which allow ATI cards to do satelitte decryption then that woudl be a plus...if not, i'm trying to debate if i should keep my options open to the decryption possiblity.

 

[cesto]

brutal. am i "that guy" asking the dumb questions?

;/

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: cesto
brutal. am i "that guy" asking the dumb questions?

;/

No its not a dumb question...

I have an ATI HDTV Wonder card that does OTA (over the air) HDTV as well as Analog TV. The picture quality and reception are remarkable. I live 20 minuted outside of Minnneapolis, Minnesota and there are ALOT of channels in HD that I pick up perfectly with the included antenna. The only drawback is it cannot decode cable HD channels -only over the air. (you can watch and record cable, its just not in HDTV)

Many people have alot of problems with the HDTV wonder and the remote, but now there is now a new revision of the card and the remote and its working perfectly for me. The remote works perfect and I can control my whole computer with it.

I think the X800 gto is a perfect match for you if you aren't doing hardcore gaming. Its a great mid-range card and would work great with a TV tuner.

 

[cesto]

awesome. thanks a bunch for your reply.

i was looking to get the connect3d x800 gto card. would i be better off with another brand or connect3d is reputable?

thanks again!

 

[grimlykindo]

With ATI cards the brands don't seem to make as of a big difference, just look at the warranty and what the clock speeds are at stock compared to other brands of the same card. oh yeah, and of course the price.

My last ATI card the X800XL pci-e was a great, solid card but the stock fan was really loud. I quickly replaced it with a arctic silencer 5 rev. 2. I would suggest looking into just ordering one with your card to save on shipping later. (that is, if you care about noise and OCing)

 

[Tom]

Decrypting satellite signals ? Sounds like a job for the KGB..

Seriously, I don't think it's possible to decrypt satellite or cable with a tv tuner card, and I'm even more sure it would be illegal if it was possible.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: Tom
Decrypting satellite signals ? Sounds like a job for the KGB..

Seriously, I don't think it's possible to decrypt satellite or cable with a tv tuner card, and I'm even more sure it would be illegal if it was possible.

We are talking about publicly broadcasted O-T-A (over the air) digital HD channels. These are the same channels that you get on regular bunny ears, but are broadcasted and recieved digitally. The reception quality is either perfect or its choppy - there is no "fuzzy" signals or white noise in the picture.

The HDTV wonder cannot recieve "cable" HD channels, only O-T-A digital HD or analog TV channels. So lets say if you had mediacomm digital cable you couldn't plug your cable into the HDTV wonder and output HD resolutions, it would only do analog 480i.

There is nothing illeagal about it...

 

[Peter]

Originally posted by: Tom
Decrypting satellite signals ? Sounds like a job for the KGB..

Seriously, I don't think it's possible to decrypt satellite or cable with a tv tuner card, and I'm even more sure it would be illegal if it was possible.

Yes it is possible, and there's nothing illegal to it. You need a DVB-S card, team it up with a "Common Interface" card, and that's it.

The CI card is a PCMCIA-like interface where you insert the keycard you've received after subscribing to a PayTV service - just like you would if you had a set top box. It's called "common" interface because service providers all use the same technical kind of keycard.

At least that's how it works in Europe

 

[Peter]

Here's one:

http://www.twinhan.com/product_satellite_5.asp

 

[cesto]

thanks for the info peter

grimlykindo, one last question for your. on another forum, i was about to purchase the GTO card for $149 until someone suggested the sapphire gto2 card for $191. is the extra money justifiable in this purchase? i know the gto2 card is unlockable to gain more "pipes"...does this matter in my case?

thanks.

 

[cesto]

guess grimlykindo is unavailable. anyone else care to comment...i'dl ike to order this tongiht if possible