Looking for a TV-tuner for under $120

[Erbium]

I'm looking for a TV-Tuner card which can do video capture and save it onto my harddrive, anyone has any suggestions? I'm hoping to look for resolutions at 640x480. Saving in any format is fine (I'm able to convert them later right?). And it seems that the Pinaccle System products aren't suitable because I'm using win2k, and their drivers for win2k suck. I already have a Hercules Prophet II MX so I need the TV-tuner to be PCI.

Thanx in advance

 

[bigbootydaddy]

what about the usb ones, hauppage usb one..it works fine, quality isnt top nothc, but its ultra cheap.

 

[broadband]

Drop into CompUSA or Best Buy and get a Hauppauge WinTV-Go!

PCI card, simple, right to the point. Not a bunch of flashy features, has Composite-IN and Antenna-IN as well as a Line-IN for audio. Doesn't tune stuff in stereo, but if you're actually using this thing as a TV Tuner, something is wrong.

I have owned 9 Hauppauge WinTV cards over the past 4 years or so, never had troubles of any kind with any of them. Great pieces of hardware, highly recommended.

By the way, the cost? $50 or less at most major retailers. There are more expensive versions available with Radio tuners, S-Video inputs and even one (the WinTV Theatre) that has good old Dolby Stereo decoding (NOT Dolby Digital 5.1). Even comes with a remote control.

Good luck!

broadband

 

[hans007]

i've had a happauge and for the most part i think its the best tuner out there. Then again, i think all the tuners suck since there is too much interferance on the tuner inside a computer case (except that 3dfx one with a silicon tuner, but then again they are dead). If you are willing to spend that much, contact hawk in forsale/trade and get a radeon all in wonder for $210 off him and sell your geforce

 

[LED]

Yea hans that's what I did...unloaded my 4th Hauppauge card w/FM tuner (I like them also), got rid of an Mpeg card, added one USB FM tuner, and got the AIW just as you stated but now my V5500 won't work with it. I'm still hoping but I may have to convert back

 

[DallasTejas]

ATI just came out with a USB tuner. It offers all of the video capture stuff as the PCI version. It is the only USB tuner that has the sound through the USB port. All of the others require a audio-in cable from the tuner to the extrnal input on your sound card. Only $100 retail.

I wish I had bought one. It is a lot more portable that the PCI. The only problem is the bandwidth. If you are already using several USB devices it may degrade some.

 

[RobsTV]

hans007
Maybe you should give the Avermedia tuners a try. Have the TV'98 in 2 systems here with absolutely zero interference or clarity problems. Then again, it may be other components in your system, or even a case fan causing interference.

I have heard many buyers of the Hauppauge WinTV usb complain loudly.
In Tech Deals forum about a 9 months ago, I believe it was Staples or Office Depot that had the USB card for $20, and many bought it. Most were soon complaining about the same things. Seems the USB port can't handle the bandwidth on the WinTV card. I can't recall if it was just with the capture portion, or the tuner as well. Might be fixed with newer drivers, or it might be a problem inherent with all USB tuner/capture devices?????