video capture card with good PVR package?

[dpopiz]

sorry I need more help with building a system for my customer with too much money...
She said she was looking at the Sony RX590G and specifically requested GigaPocket-type PVR system. I haven't the slightest clue where to start...anybody know what a nice video capture card with PVR package is? I guess radeon 8500DV would be sort of what she's talking about, but she doesn't need any of that 3D acceleration, just a tv tuner and PVR.

Thanks.

 

[Mavrick007]

Take a look at WinTV PVR from Hauppauge.
It costs a bit, but it's a very nice package from a good quality provider. The card would cost less than the Radeon 8500DV too, but it's only a video capture card with TV and not a "video adapter card". Take a look around, you can probably find one at a better price than Hauppauge's MSRP. This is the one that I would go with.

 

[dpopiz]

thanks mavrick
that hauppauge sounds pretty good from what I've read, but does anybody know of some others I could compare?

 

[LarryJoe]

That is pretty much the best stand alone PVR. It doesn't sound like this person will be swapping video cards every 6 months, which is why I don't like my PVR/Tuner to be attached to my main video card. I think the most bang for the buck would be the 8500 All-In-Wonder. So what is she doesn't want extreme 3D, it is still nice to have and the DVD quality of the Radeon is second to none.

Personally, I have an Avermedia TV Studio ($85) and it does a real nice job of capturing and PVR using PowerVCR as the software. But since money is not an issue, go with the 8500. It will be easier to use for her having an all-in-one.

LJ

 

[ShotgunSi]

I think the main difference with the ATI based solutions and the Hauppauge cards is:
The ATI's compress with a software coder and the Hauppauge's use a hardware coder.

Ihave the ATI All In Wonder RADEON (Previous gen from the 8500) and it uses a software coder, so my video quality and size is based largely in part by CPU horsepower. I only have a Duron 800, so quality is pretty good, but the file sizes are huge. Approx 1.4GB for 1/2 hour show. I stuck with the ATI becuase I wanted to play games occasionally on my Tivo like computer.
The happauge looks like a nice card too, but you will probably have to have another video card. However, the hardware coder on the Hauppauge would be nice
Hope this helps.