TV Tuner?

[DLeas]

I am putting together an all-purpose computer for my sister going away to college, and coupled with the other hardware, I am looking for some video options. She is getting a 22" monitor, and wants to use her computer as a combined media center if that is possible.

What all will that mean? We are on a slight budget, so if there is an inexpensive option that still does a good job, thats the ideal option for me. Should I buy a separate video card from a TV tuner? Do they come with remotes?

I am fairly technically savvy, but have NO experience running a TV signal through a desktop.

Thanks to all!

 

[Harvey]

If she expects to receive TV signals off the air, she'll need an external tuner or a receiver card capable of receiving digital ATSC (HD) signals. If she has cable or satellite TV, she'll need a system that can handle a signal from the cable/satellite box. Check with her local provider to see which formats they provide.

 

[DLeas]

She will be living in the dorms, so it will likely just consist of a coaxial cable coming out of the wall. So what should she do?

 

[styrafoam]

I would probably just buy a seperate tv tuner card, maybe something like --

http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815116028

If you install it in the comp and set up the software all she will have to do is hook up the coax and have it learn the channels when she gets to her dorm. She should be able to watch in fullscreen, or in a window. The DVR functions take up a ton of harddrive space, if that is something she is planning on using heavily.

 

[DLeas]

I am getting her a 640Gb HDD. Would that be enough for a DVR? How good of quality can she expect doing this vs. having a TV. Im sure we all remember the lack of space in freshman dorm rooms.

 

[zerogear]

It should be pretty good in terms of resolution. But remember analog TV resolution vs average 22" LCD, there will be pixelation. So when she is watching TV, it'll be better when its minimized when she is up close, or full screen when she is further away. ClearQAM should be very good though.

640GB should be enough, but if its her System/RecordedTV/Music hard drive, she might be hard pressed to find more space. Average recording using Windows media center is about 1.2GB (@ better/best quality recording) for a 30 minute show, about 2gb for an hour show. Double that for a ClearQAM/HD recording, so 2gb for 30 minutes and 4-5gb for an hour.

As for a TV Tuner card, I suggest the HVR-2250
http://www.newegg.com/Product/...x?Item=N82E16815116036

There is also the bare card for 120$, but having a remote is nice.