Recommend a TV Tuner, please

[Agentbolt]

I currently am shelling out like 80 bucks extra month for my cable because I need a DVR, and to use a DVR I need Digital cable, none of the channels on which I ever watch. So throwing a basic tuner card into my computer to make it a PVR sounds like it'd be a good idea. Since I've never used one and know nothing about them, I need ya'll to recommend a card that meets these needs:

#1. Needs to be able to record two shows at once

#2. Needs to be able to record OTA HD programming

#3. Works with Vista Home Premium's (32 Bit) Media Center program

#4. Isn't huge. I currently have an 8800GTS in a Gigabyte GA-095P-S3 and one PCI-E slot is completely blocked and another one is pretty close to covered. Maybe there's an HD tuner that works over the PCI bus, I don't know.

I know this kind of card won't be cheap, but I'd like to find the least expensive one that can do all this, at least. If nothing exists that can do all of this, the closest thing will do fine. Thanks!

 

[Tegeril]

Hauppauge HVR-1600 meets all of these requirements.

 

[Agentbolt]

That tuner looks perfect, thanks

 

[zest]

I am dying to try this- AVerMedia AVerTV Combo PCIe- a pure PCI Express x1 Low-Profile TV Tuner featuring combo High Definition and Analog

 

[zerogear]

Personally, I think the Leadtek WinFast USB II Deluxe is pretty nice

 

[hondaf17]

Originally posted by: Agentbolt
That tuner looks perfect, thanks

The HVR 1600 does indeed look perfect for my needs as well. I am curious though, what is the correct way to hook one of these up?

I'll have an HD cable box, this HVR 1600 and my X1800XT hooked up to an HD Westinghouse 37''. Do I go wall to HD comcast cable box, cable box to HVR 1600, cable box to TV? Then the HVR 1600 would pick up the signal from the cable box and be able to display it on my Westinghouse TV since the TV is hooked up to my computer? I don't really care about picture in picture, the reason for buying this card would be so I'm able to record HD programs, etc.