low profile tv tuner?

[flashbacck]

Hi, I'm looking for a low profile tv tuner for that'll fit into a flex atx case. Has anyone seen such a thing? preferably by ATI or some other good quality tv tuner manufacturer

 

[JeSpre]

ASUS TV Tuner. This is what I'm waiting for. Uses the latest and greatest encoder/decoder, same as the MSI TV @nywhere, with WHQL certified drivers. This is what the card looks like Link. For the record, ATI's drivers sucked during the time I had their TV Wonder and I would not buy another TV Tuner from them.

 

[Peter]

Lifeview's 2100 and 3100 are low profile cards, using the usual suspect Conexant Fusion 878A chip.

 

[flashbacck]

thanks, but do you guys know where they sell these cards in the U.S.? I'm having a hard time finding a reseller. thanks.

 

[flashbacck]

bumpity!

 

[CripplerCrossface]

ati tv wonder usb is cool. unless u absolutely have to have it in your case. try happuage(sp?) cards

 

[Peter]

Dig around in the reseller info on the LifeView site (www.lifeview.com.tw), and if not successful, ask them.

 

[GetInMyFatBelly]

Wait for the Asus TV tuner card to be released...

 

[Muse]

How about the Leadtek WinFast TV2000 XP? I've heard some good things about it and it's pretty cheap at around $65. TV/Capture/FM/Remote, software, timeshifting... Check out this thread. And this. BTW, what is meant here by "low profile"? Doesn't use a lot of resources (CPU)?

 

[flashbacck]

"low profile" refers to the physical size of the card. Some of the flex ATX cases out there are pretty thin (around 4" or so) so normal sized pci/agp cards don't fit.

thanks for the suggestions, I'll look into the usb tv tuner, but how's the quality? Do they opperate on USB 1.1 or USB 2.0? Are there any firewire tv tuners? The reason I'm looking for this, is I'm looking into the feasiblity of building my own tivo/pvr type thingy. I just would much rather prefer to use a flex atx form because it's much nicer looking than having a normal fat atx desktop next to my tv.

 

[Ruroni]

ATI USB TV Tuner has very pixelated image when in full screen. You'd have to view it in a relatively small window to be able to see anything worth looking at. (I used to own it. I actually threw it away as the piece of garbage that I think it is.) Most internal TV tuner cards are actually pretty decent, I used to own the 3Dfx Voodoo 3 3500 AGP TV card. I had zero complains about it. But the 3D rendering abilities of the Voodoo 3 are a bit dated. If I were to get a card now-a-days, I would go with the ASUS TV Tuner Card. (I'm actually contemplating it) As for where to get it, I only know of one place (HERE). But I don't think I like their return policy. But assuming all things go well on the purchase (with no need to return), I guess buying form them would be alright.

There are alternatives, many different TV tuner cards by different makers. There is something else that you may find convenient... Viewsonic has a TV tuner that is for your monitor (PC independent) called the VB50HRTV. Truth be said, the quality is really good. Most reviews sing it praises because it does what it sets out to do. It's not IMMACULATE but it doesn't disappoint. You can find these just about everywhere, and you can get them for as low as 95 bucks. I bought one from CompUSA And returned it shortly there after (I only bought it to see if I would actually want to order one online from a reputable dealer with a a decent price, since CompUSA will charge an arm and a leg). I recommend you visit pricewatch and search for it there. And if you want to make sure you're going with a reputable dealer go to Resellerratings.com and enter the name of the store you're thinking of buying from, for user reviews. One of the better results that I've come accross (decent price + decent dealer) = mwave

There is supposed to be a new one coming out... Check it out here . But WHEN? Who knows! (not for some time to come) The nextvision 6 looks like it's going to be magnificent, and judging from the vb50hrtv, I'm certain it will be.

 

[flashbacck]

thanks ruroni, the asus tv tuner looks like a good candidate. and essencompu.com seems to have a good reseller ratings.

I don't think the VB50HRTV is for me. The whole point of my little scheme, is to be able to record shows, play dvds, etc. all on my normal tv.