Need your opinion on TV Tuners

[dcpsoguy]

I don't need anything special.. just something that will capture cable TV with decent to good quality.. something cheap.. any recommendations? I don't know where to start

 

[giantpinkbunnyhead]

I found a $30 tuner at Compusa that did an ok job, but more importantly I was able to hook my Atari 2600 up to my computer screen. I forget the company that made it, but there's a bunch of tuners in that price range. ($30-$40-ish)

 

[dcpsoguy]

Thanks in advance. No, that's really not needed. Just need simply good quality recording from a cable TV right next to it. No HD needed.

Any personal recommendations?

 

[ActuaryTm]

For now, start here.

In the future, start here.

 

[dcpsoguy]

Thanks a lot for that reference.

What is the better option - USB or using a PCI or AGP slot?

 

[mugs]

If you want MPEG encoding, get a Hauppauge WinTV-PRV 150. Normally $80-90, I've seen it on sale at CC several times for $60.

If you don't need MPEG encoding you can get something cheap (I paid $20 for one)

 

[dcpsoguy]

MPEG encoding? Compared to what? AVI encoding? Sorry, I'm rather new to this.

What are the advantages of MPEG coding compared to something else?

 

[ActuaryTm]

Originally posted by: dcpsoguy
MPEG encoding? Compared to what? AVI encoding? Sorry, I'm rather new to this.

Make use of the glossary terms found in the "Feature search" section of the previous link.

 

[brtspears2]

I suggest something with hardware mpeg encoding, so that your CPU cycles will not be wasted when you are capturing tv. ATI TV Wonder Elite (or any of those Rage Theater 550 chip based cards) or a WinTV PVR-150 should be excellent choices. I say the quality of the ATI is higher than the WinTV board.

 

[dcpsoguy]

Leadtek Winfast TV2000 XP Deluxe TV Tuner

I just bought that.. any thoughts?