Not Another TV Tuner Recommendation

applesseed

Senior member
Mar 27, 2002
419
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I've narrowed to two different brands of TV tuner. Hauppauge and AverMedia. My budget is $100, unless otherwise the unit is worth spending extra $$$. I'm not looking for MCE version. I'm looking to watch TV, record shows, transfer VHS to digital format. Closed Captioning support is a big plus; Radio is optional but it would be cool to have.


Which one do you recommend?

PCI Category: Hauppauge PVR 350 vs AverMedia PVR 150 Plus (if I can find it elsewhere other than its web site)

USB Category: Hauppauge PVR USB2 vs AverMedia USB 300

Other Consideration:
Hauppauge USB-FM
AverMedia CardBus



I got the Hauppauge PVR USB2, but could not get Closed Captioning on both desktop and laptop. I used to get Closed Captioning with my ATI AIW 9600 (it died); plus my regular TVs has Closed Captioning but could not get this unit to work so I returned it... now I sort of regret it. For the AverMedia USB 300, if I didn't read right, it's not stereo but it's mono. I want stereo!

I did bought an AverMedia Go 007 FM but I returned it because while changing channels the audio and picture didn't come out right and lagged between channels.

I borrowed my friend's ATI TV Wonder USB2 and still couldn't get Closed Captioning. After uninstalling the driver, my computer got messed up so I had to reformat my HD.

I'm wondering... PCI vs USB which one is better? Any difference? With USB I could use it on my desktop and laptop. Otherwise I can also get the AverMedia Cardbus for my laptop, and then get one of those PCI Adapter for my desktop.

If I do have more bucks, I might just get one of those LCD TV Monitor. Unless I can wait years for them to drop the price which I think is very unlikely.

What's your opinion?
 

Traire

Senior member
Feb 4, 2005
361
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If your just watching TV, PCI/USB doesnt matter. If your doing any recording, PCI will be far better.
 

justlnluck

Senior member
Jul 13, 2004
261
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For transferring VHS tapes to the hard drive, an ATI 550pro card is a good choice. I use the TUL version, but all of them are the same. The 550pro is the only chipset that captures the audio stream along with the video through the PCI bus. All other cards, along with the Hauppauge, require an external analog cable that plugs into the onboard sound / sound card. When the sound and video are processed separately, you may have sync issues depending on the setup.

For the best TV viewing experience, I highly recommend the Fusion5 Gold. I use this card for all my primetime viewing so I can watch shows in HDTV on Comcast. It also lets me watch all of my standard analog cable channels and recieves the digital music channels.
 

applesseed

Senior member
Mar 27, 2002
419
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0
Your opinion on the following from Circuit City. Unfortunately their restocking fee is 15% (if opened) which I'm trying to avoid from buying from them but their Mail-In Rebate just sounds good.

Their web link on Hauppauge products. Ends Saturday, October 15.


Hauppauge WinTV USB 2.0 TV Tuner (1020) $99.99 - $20.00 = $79.99 - $60.00 (MIR) = $19.99 (Price after Rebate).

Hauppauge WinTV Go Plus TV Tuner (1033) $49.99 - $10.00 (MIR) = $39.99 (Price after Rebate)

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 (1045) $99.99 - $20.00 (MIR) = $79.99 (Price after Rebate)

Hauppauge WinTV Personal Video Recorder (941) $149.99 - $30.00 (MIR) = $119.99 (Price after Rebate)