LEADTEK WINFAST "DELUXE" TV2000XP TV/FM MULTIMEDIA CARD - RETAIL BOX (UPDATE: NOW $42.00 shipped!) @ Newegg!

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: paker
I have 2 problems with the 2000XP deluxe. One is I cannot record in FM. I get an error when I start the FM radio that says "cannot open recording device". Is this normal?
The other problem is audio recording from the TV. From the computer it sounds great, but the recorded sound sounds hollow and over modulated. I'm using an Abit NF7-S motherboard. I don't know if it's the card settings or the NFORCE drivers that are the problem. Nothing I've tried has corrected the problem. Otherwise this card is great.
Can anyone help?

See if your recording device settings in the FM app are same as in the TV app, and change FM app if applicable.

Try reducing the TV recoding volume (on the settings page). It was defaulting to around "30" on mine, IIRC, but I had to reduce it to 5.

 

[mindless1]

Originally posted by: technogeeky
What does it do that is so great? Is it good at recording?

For it's price, it has a fair amount of features, fairly decent remote (not a little bubble-card thing), remote via card instead of USB, a larger user/support base, and Leadtek "appears" to be making efforts to support the product with timely driver/app updates. In theory it should have about the same quality and features as any other card with same chipset/tuner, which is the most common config available.

There aren't too many cards of similar features at same price-point, not from a larger name-brand like Leadtek. The more popular capture card companies charge more for about the same thing, often with no justification at all unless you want the video editing software they bundle with it or perfer a particular recording front-end.

...then again it didn't hurt that I got mine as a newegg refurb, $30.

 

[paker]

Originally posted by: mindless1
See if your recording device settings in the FM app are same as in the TV app, and change FM app if applicable.

Try reducing the TV recoding volume (on the settings page). It was defaulting to around "30" on mine, IIRC, but I had to reduce it to 5.

Reducing the volume on the TV record worked well, thanks.

The problem with the FM record is under configurations is there is nothing in Audio Device, Compression Format, or Compression Attributes. They are all blank, and looking at the manual there should be. I've updated to the latest the drivers as Leadtek's site shows from device manager, but I have nothing still in the pull downs.

 

[IPLaw]

So, can the Deluxe bring a computer out of standby to record?

 

[DaCurryman]

Does anyone use the SnapStream software? According to their site, they don't support the Leadtek WinFast card and you cant stream tv with the PVR-250/350 (due to their hardware encoding). Basically it seems like it's your best bet to use an ATI AIW card.

Just wondering if anyone here is able to use it with the WinFast Deluxe/Expert or PVR-250/350?

 

[TheUltimateNewbie]

where can i learn how to use this? I just ordered this today from newegg. i just want to know how to record TV shows.

 

[overclock]

Originally posted by: TheUltimateNewbie
where can i learn how to use this? I just ordered this today from newegg. i just want to know how to record TV shows.

www.dvdrhelp.com

 

[mnkyboy311]

Anyone here capture as DVD format? I would like to capture to dvd format in case I want to save something I captured. I tried using the preset "DVD NTSC" setting, but the file size is huge, about 2.5GB per hour. I then modifed the bitrate setting, and it seemed to work fine, at about 1GB per hour. When I went to burn the files with TMPGEnc DVD Author, the audio/video went out of sync after awhile of watching the DVD. The files play fine on my computer tho.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, anyone know any good bulletin boards for pc tv tuners/capture only?

 

[iamme]

Originally posted by: mnkyboy311
Anyone here capture as DVD format? I would like to capture to dvd format in case I want to save something I captured. I tried using the preset "DVD NTSC" setting, but the file size is huge, about 2.5GB per hour. I then modifed the bitrate setting, and it seemed to work fine, at about 1GB per hour. When I went to burn the files with TMPGEnc DVD Author, the audio/video went out of sync after awhile of watching the DVD. The files play fine on my computer tho.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, anyone know any good bulletin boards for pc tv tuners/capture only?

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/index.php

 

[tedinde]

Originally posted by: NuclearFetus
I don't have time to read through the 24 pages of messages to this thread, so I'll venture this:

Price is now $45 with free shipping and now they are throwing in a newegg t-shirt with the deal.

I have 23 newegg tshirts now!!!!hehe.

 

[Muse]

Does anyone use and like the time-shifting feature? I just tried it out in the latest PVR and the quality is bad. The feature seems to work OK but it's not using the same settings as regular recording, which looks a lot better (mpeg 2 Optimal quality). The timeshifting files are a lot smaller, much lower res and they aren't worth looking at.

 

[mindless1]

There's a choice in one of the menus for time-shifting quality, IIRC.

 

[Stax]

Sorry, I only read the first 7 pages and then skipped to the last page so I'm not sure if any answered this.
Does anyone know if this card works with Windows MCE?

Thanks

 

[JoeKing]

damn long thread. Has anyone written, or is there any software available to let me use the remote that came with this card with other software? Like windows media ?

--edit--
nevermind I found this really great software Here that does everything I want

 

[mnkyboy311]

Originally posted by: iamme

Originally posted by: mnkyboy311
Anyone here capture as DVD format? I would like to capture to dvd format in case I want to save something I captured. I tried using the preset "DVD NTSC" setting, but the file size is huge, about 2.5GB per hour. I then modifed the bitrate setting, and it seemed to work fine, at about 1GB per hour. When I went to burn the files with TMPGEnc DVD Author, the audio/video went out of sync after awhile of watching the DVD. The files play fine on my computer tho.

Anyone have any suggestions?

Also, anyone know any good bulletin boards for pc tv tuners/capture only?

http://www.dvdrhelp.com/forum/index.php

Im looking for a board on TV capturing/tuners. DVDRHELP has a shitload of information, and im trying to narrow it down.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: mindless1
There's a choice in one of the menus for time-shifting quality, IIRC.

Your memory serves you well - it's in the video settings screen, off the Configuration screen and it's a dropdown called Time Shifting Quality Setting. I set it to Optimum Quality and it's definitely an improvement, big improvement. However, the quality of regular recording using the default settings for Optimal Quality Mpeg 2 is quite a bit better than that, so I guess I'll stick with regular recording unless I can figure out a way to improve TS in PVR.

 

[Muse]

Originally posted by: Joeyman
damn long thread. Has anyone written, or is there any software available to let me use the remote that came with this card with other software? Like windows media ?

--edit--
nevermind I found this really great software Here that does everything I want

There's a program called Girder that also works. I believe someone with this card and posting in this thread made some customizations for this card. There's a lot of discussion of Girder/etc. in this thread in April 2003 and some later too, I believe.

 

[mnkyboy311]

Ive been using my tv2000xp deluxe card for awhile, and I think it performs well. In terms of video quality, its ok. I havent done a test on tuner quality versus standalone tv tuner quality. Today I put my tv out onto my tv in the other room, then tuned to a channel on my computer. I then flipped back and fourth from the channel on my tv, to the stream coming in from the computer. There is a huge difference, in terms of color and clarity. Anyone else try this out?

Can anyone post pics of a captured screenshot so I can see what "good" quality anyone else is getting?

Im not bashing this card, I think its a great deal for the price, but now im thinking about getting a higher end card if I can get a better picture.

Since I bought a dvd burner for christmas, it would be nice to burn captured stuff that I find worth archiving.

Please post screenshots if you can, thanks


P.S. Also any other recommendations for better cards?

 

[Muse]

MonkeyBoy, the card that I'd get if I upgrade is a MyHD 120 HDTV card. I haven't seen them in action, though, and don't know much about them. I want to start getting DTV and HDTV, though. Before I'd get one of those I'd probably get a dedicated HDTV tuner, however, and figure to within the next few months.

 

[xionn]

I am going to purchase one of these cards in teh next few days.

Which one would you get and why?
WinFast TV2000 XP Deluxe
or
WinFast TV2000 XP Expert

 

[corinthos]

noticed that newegg now carries the "EXPERT" edition for $60 shipped...

I think the only differences are:

1. newer chip on "EXPERT" allows for higher resolution picture.
2. fewer connectors on the back of the "EXPERT" card (a cable splits out for multiple connections to make up for that)
3. narrower card
4. uses internal connection for audio connection to soundcard

I think everything else is about the same, even the remote.

 

[novon]

I've got the expert version, my brother has the deluxe.

Both are good, my expert has older drivers though on the Leadtek site. Great TV card!

 

[carmat4]

Would any body advice on the Expert version, Im thinking of getting it, instead of the deluxe version. lets say you guys where indifferent on the price diference.

My next question is, Will I be able to burn programs I record onto CDR or DVD?




Thanks

 

[carmat4]

The reason I ask is because the more I read the more I dont know which card to pick.
I've been over at TV-cards.com for hours, reading up on cards and now Im even cosidering the "Compro VideoMate".

It's driving me crazy.

Maybe I should just order the Leadtek Expert and hope for the best.

 

[corinthos]

carmat4, I don't think you can go wrong with the "Expert"... worst case is that your reception won't be good enough to benefit much from the improved video resolution the "Expert" is capable of. It's as capable and feature-packed as the "Deluxe" and I think the leadtek package is a very nice package overall, especially compared to Hauppauge WinTV 401 which I've owned previously. The Leadtek remote way better and the software is much nicer/more refined with more features. I hear the Phillips-based tv tuners are good too.

Anyway, I'd say identify what you plan to do with the card (watch tv only? record shows? want the sharpest picture? etc.)
and then find a card that has those features that is getting good reviews from current owners. If the Leadtek tuners have the features you want, and enough happy users, then give it a try. One thing to keep in mind is that you might want an external tv tuner so your PC doesn't have to be on in order to watch TV on your monitor. Some people might find that useful.

For me, I just want to be able to watch tv on the PC and record shows so I can watch later from time-to-time (I haven't recorded anything yet though). I also like the FM radio feature. I connect my cable tv to my "Deluxe" card, and although the "Expert" might deliver a sharper picture given I'm not using an antenna, I don't know if I really need any sharper image for extra cost. So I'm satisfied with the "Deluxe" but wouldn't rule out upgrading to the "Expert" if the price comes down.

Hope this helps and doesn't further confuse you.

PS: Yes you can burn the shows you record with the tv tuner cards onto CD or DVD. Keep in mind that to capture
video at higher resolutions you need a more powerful PC, so make sure you got a fast hard drive and cpu, etc.