need some help deciding and don't know the terms being thrown around. 1.How come some cards are called digital hdtv tuners and others just digital tuners. 2.if i was to want to record a video onto pc would i need a tv card that is both digital and analogue? 3.When recording tv programs or videos is it smooth? is the audio and visual in sync? Cheers Pat
take a look here DTVFORUM: digital tuner cards 1. some cards on ebay are called digital tuners to confuse people into thinking they're getting a bargain. in actual fact they don't tune into the digital broadcast, but the analogue, then convert to digital (as thats what your computer uses). these are only the real cheap cards though. all computer digital dvb-t (digital video broadcast -terrestial [i think :wacko:]) are hd capable, but some do it better than others and it largely depends on your computer and video card. 2. well, yes. your vcr will output analogue. i think a lot of cards can accept analogue inputs for this purpose. but readup in the above link. 3. should be. recordings from digital broadcasts should bd dvd (or near dvd depending on network bandwidth use), quality. audio and visual should stay in sync, but i hear if you have dropouts (due to bad reception), they can get out of sync. can be correct no doubt (how hard this is, i don't know).
Do you have any recomendations on brands the more i read the more harder the decision, so much info and i just want to get a card to play ps2 on the weekend lol. so far i have been keen on the compro video mate 300. Don't really want to spend more then $150
lol. yeah i have the same problem. recommendations? can't really help you on that one, but i would say that anything from THIS store would do the job nicely. these dudes deal exclusively in digital tuners, and post a lot in the forementioned forum. their prices are pretty good as well. maybe the "DNTV Live! Low Profile (LP)". it has s-video input, which you can use to record video. also supports windows media centre. $139
This is good, i'm gonna make a post in that forum to end my misery i was set on the compro until i read your reply, compro is actually really good with so many features but only 7xx reso and less. I guess thats why it didnt get the title "hdtv". I think dvico fusion then dntv are on top of my list, think my choice will depend on 3rd party software support. My 'budget' just blew out the window :LOL:
god ..that "dntvlive" sounds great ... just wish that i was into this stuff so that i could understand that write up ...!!!! doh ..!!
Dvico Fusion plus :thumbsup: Pat, i'm using a Fusion DVB-T HDTV Plus tuner. This one isn't too bad at all, although the reception at my place is really bad, so i don't watch much tv. I usually use it for the PS2 and that works well. If you have money to burn, i would suggest something from the ATI range. Also stay clear of the usb tuners, i've heard bad things about them, they seem to not work very well and have a weak pick up of signals. The one i'm useing is pretty decent for it's price, it's about $200 at most shops. Also If you are thinging of connecting your ps2 to one, make sure it has the right connection at the back because alot of them won't allow for it. In the Divco fusion range, the only one that does allow it is the one i'm using (see above link). P.S. i've been a bit slack trying to get GT4 to work online as i've been snowed under at work, but i'll give it another go this weekend. if it works i'll send you an e-mail...
Cool definitley getting either dvico or dntv with the fusion did you plug auido in via the bundled loom to the pci fusion card or did you connect it staight to the sound card?
Soz for the late reply Pat. It just slides right into the PCI slot and then there is a single thin cable the connects straight across to the soundcard. so if your running a 5.1 system like me.. then it has true surround sound :thumbsup: as well as HDTV. If you havn't purchased one yet, I can take some snaps to show how it all works, as well as some screen dumps to give you an idea of the qulaity of picture.....
Thanks for that, already purchased and waiting to recieve yeah i got a pretty a decked out pc that i've wasted too much money on. Running logitech z680 connected to my sound card via optical cable , i wouldn't have it any other way playing battlefield 2.
Iv heard people who have had => USB tuner cards to have had lots of trouble. I would go for a PCI HDTV card. I think you can get them for about $150 these days.
