Question about TV Tuners

[blackrain]

I currently have a GeForce (3 or 4?) video card. I am looking to get a TV tuner. Does the TV tuner work in concert with the video card I already have? In other words, does my Geforce card remain installed?

Also, do all TV tuner cards come with a port for connecting my cable line so that I can watch cable TV on my pc?

Any recommendations?

 

[Oyeve]

Originally posted by: blackrain
I currently have a GeForce (3 or 4?) video card. I am looking to get a TV tuner. Does the TV tuner work in concert with the video card I already have? In other words, does my Geforce card remain installed?

Also, do all TV tuner cards come with a port for connecting my cable line so that I can watch cable TV on my pc?

Any recommendations?

Back in the old days the tuner connected to the video card via the VGA feature connector. Now they just use a vga bypass so it really doesnt use the video card except for actual viewing troughput. And yes, they all have cable/antennae inputs.

I myself use an external tuner that completely bypasses my pc. Or I can use it with my pc. They cost much more but I prefer it.

 

[blackrain]

I just want to make sure that I can still keep my VGA for games

 

[Knowname]

well since you meantion your GF3 or 4 vid card I have to ask what kind of setup you have (I'm guessing Pentium 4 2-3ghz?) I highly doubt you'll get an HD decode out of that (well, maybe just a decode, but no recording capabilitys) but just for viewing your standard cable signal it should be fine. Note that most Standard Def tuners only go up to, I don't know, channel 90?? Most times your cable company will give you a cable box if you are subscribed to more channels anyway as most TVs have this limitation as well. You'll have to use this box. I am also told by Dish network, that their system is incompatible with TV Tuners.

 

[blackrain]

P4 1.6 Ghz

I am not looking for HD right now. I just want to be able to get standard cable through the tv tuner.

However, I would like to leave the door open in case I upgrade my pc later.

By the way, I am looking at an ATI 550 Pro right now. Does anyone have comments on that?

 

[Knowname]

I would look through the specs on that card to make sure everything that you want it to do will work at your current procesor's speed. But in my experience, a T550 will be good.

Some other choices I'd come acrossed in a quick search via newegg,

T200 http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815294002
I suggest this card if you want to record anything. It has hardware that will help your processor out with the task.

Conexant CX2388x http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16814122180
When looking at TV Tuners (especially with the type of needs you have) it's actually best to go with the OLDER ones, and this is about as old as you want to go. It's older conexant chipset still has the umph to pony up with the big boys in SD, but with your processor this card doesn't provide any help so recording may take a bit of configuring to get a smooth video.

again, your t550 pro choice may actually be more favorable than these two though, I just couldn't find any t550 cards at newegg lol.

 

[Knowname]

btw, I wouldn't worry about upgrading with this card, unless you get an external box like the former poster said. TV Tuners (at least SD ones) are cheap. If you are looking to get one you can use now your not likely gonna find one you'll want to use in the future. first of all, you may find yourself without much room on the pci-bus in your future mobo... so I'd just go cheap now and get what you need today.

 

[Tenet]

Originally posted by: blackrain
I currently have a GeForce (3 or 4?) video card. I am looking to get a TV tuner. Does the TV tuner work in concert with the video card I already have? In other words, does my Geforce card remain installed?

Also, do all TV tuner cards come with a port for connecting my cable line so that I can watch cable TV on my pc?

Any recommendations?

OP, the answer is yes to both questions. I've been running that setup for years and it works great.

 

[Synomenon]

If you just want basic, analog cable then I'd go with this card (uses an ATI Theater 650):

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815310002

 

[Iron Woode]

Originally posted by: blackrain
P4 1.6 Ghz

I am not looking for HD right now. I just want to be able to get standard cable through the tv tuner.

However, I would like to leave the door open in case I upgrade my pc later.

By the way, I am looking at an ATI 550 Pro right now. Does anyone have comments on that?

i have the 550 pro (sapphire theatrix 550 pro) and it is a great tuner. I use it in my HTPC. The 650 is even better but I don't need one yet.

just make sure any tuner you buy has hardware mpeg2 encoding.

your vid card is fine.