AIW or TV capture card?

[BBC454]

Since I am going to get a 9800 pro card, and want a tv connection; what is best, having a AIW card or getting the regular card and a tv capture card? I would get the Leadtek TV2000XP Deluxe for a capture card. I am leaning toward the tv capture card way, but do they work just as good, or better?

 

[fredtam]

I would suggest the AIW. People will say get a TV tuner because you can keep it and upgrade the vid card but the price difference between the regular cards and the AIW is pretty small.

 

[PCHPlayer]

Depends on our upgrade cycle. Every couple of years, go for the AIW. Every six months, get a separate TV card.

 

[DaveSimmons]

Or if you only need video-in, go crazy and get the $500 Asus 9800 XT (review links at newegg.com)

 

[ai42]

Man I say AIW I really love the built in PVR features.

 

[GT1999]

What TV cards do you guys recommend? Capture and non-capture?

I already have a 9800 Pro so I need a seperate PCI card.

This will be used to watch TV while my silly roomate in the dorm plays WWF. That stuff makes me want to kill someone I hate it so much, not to mention he hogs the TV (well, it is HIS... lol).

 

[DaveSimmons]

Most people recommend the $45 Leadtek card, there's a million-post thread on it in Hot Deals, as well as threads here and in Video. search should find them (might need Advanced for older threads).

 

[Megatomic]

That Leadtek card is really really good. I just got one a few weeks ago and I love it. :heart:

 

[jackschmittusa]

The AIW has many features, much software, single setup, and no compatability worries between features. Also none of that "it must be the other board's problem" when dealing with tech support. Good record of drivers for new OSs when they come out (lots of otherwise good hardware won't work with XP because the manufacturers wouldn't write new drivers).

 

[Megatomic]

My gripe with integrated devices is that when one is broken you lose everything. With a motherboard it's not a big deal as the entire board costs under $200 (many times under $100). But if you buy a high end AIW card you are going to be spending twice that. IMHO I'd prefer to have discrete components.

 

[snidy1]

Originally posted by: Megatomic
My gripe with integrated devices is that when one is broken you lose everything. With a motherboard it's not a big deal as the entire board costs under $200 (many times under $100). But if you buy a high end AIW card you are going to be spending twice that. IMHO I'd prefer to have discrete components.

I agree

 

[ptw]

Hey folks,

I too am looking for a separate TV-Tuner card. Unfortunately, I am quite gun-shy about Leadtek because I currently own a Winfast 2000 XP card that has had lousy video quality from Day 1 (compared to my brother's ancient All-In-Wonder with the same TV-source) and after not using it for a year I tried again and now cannot get the sound to work for more than 30 seconds at a time.

Any other recommendations, or are the newer Leadtek TV-tuner cards/drivers a LOT better than their older ones?

 

[Megatomic]

ptw, my Leadtek TV card has better reception than my brand-new TV connected to the same cable... I am really pleased with it.

 

[ptw]

Megatomic,

Can you tell me which model of Leadtek TV-Tuner you have? Thanks!

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: snidy1

Originally posted by: Megatomic
My gripe with integrated devices is that when one is broken you lose everything. With a motherboard it's not a big deal as the entire board costs under $200 (many times under $100). But if you buy a high end AIW card you are going to be spending twice that. IMHO I'd prefer to have discrete components.

I agree

But don't the ATI AIW cards have a 3-year warranty? At least?

 

[InlineFive]

An Asus 7133 is a good card, ask Chocorual. It's the card I'm gonna get because my old MSI TV@nywhere Master was pretty bad.

-Por

 

[DGath]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: snidy1

Originally posted by: Megatomic
My gripe with integrated devices is that when one is broken you lose everything. With a motherboard it's not a big deal as the entire board costs under $200 (many times under $100). But if you buy a high end AIW card you are going to be spending twice that. IMHO I'd prefer to have discrete components.

I agree

But don't the ATI AIW cards have a 3-year warranty? At least?

That was my first thought. I used numerous AIWs and have been nothing but pleased with them. Plus, you get the Remote Wonder which rocks. I'm not sure what the warranties are on those things, but I'm sure its enough to cover the life of the card for most users. I typically upgrade my AIW about every christmas time. Although this 9600 pro might last me 18-24 months.

 

[Megatomic]

Originally posted by: ptw
Megatomic,

Can you tell me which model of Leadtek TV-Tuner you have? Thanks!

I have the Leadtek Winfast TV2000XP Deluxe, it came with a ton of sofware and a remote control. And it was very inexpensive (I traded an older hard drive for this card (new)).

 

[JasonandBecky]

or are the newer Leadtek TV-tuner cards/drivers a LOT better than their older ones?

Yes the drivers are MUCH improved.

 

[GT1999]

Mine should be here tomorrow or Wednesday.