Recommend a TV-tuner card

[bdunosk]

I have an AMD system w/ nVidia graphics on Win2k SP2, and what I'm looking for is a PCI add-on TV-tuner card. Take a look at my rig if you want more information.

I've looked through this forum a lot, and people seem to like the ATI Wonder TV (VE) and Hauppauge, but some seem to have "issues." I'm leaning towards the ATI (cost)... but are there other reasons I should reconsider, or better tuners not mentioned by me?

Thanks!

 

[arynn]

I have used both the ATI Wonder TV (VE) and the Hauppage TV tuner card.

I initially ran the ATI card under Windows 2000 and it made my system unstable. I returned it and got the Hauppauge - however it didn't have as nice a feature set nor did it seem to have as nice a picture as the ATI card so I brought it back and got the ATI card.

I then ran the ATI card under Windows 98 SE for a couple of months with no problems.

I am running Windows 2000 again and attempted to install the ATI card once more with little success. Admittedly, I didn't try too hard as I don't need the card at this time.

The system stability problems only occured when I was watching TV with the card.

I would recommend picking up either card at a local store and seeing if it works. ATI claims support of Windows 2000 and I did prefer their card's feature set. However, after buying their tuner card I will not purchase any of the Radeon cards until I hear that their drivers are vastly improved.

Hope this helps.

 

[bdunosk]

Yeah, actually that does help. That's kind of a bummer... maybe I'm better off buying a small TV for the computer room, hahahah.

 

[Byte]

If you are ever planning to go to XP, stay away from ATI tuners like the plague. I would say ATI in general, but ATI advocates (who don't know what they are doing might flame me....)

 

[kazamobah]

I have a ATI TV Wonder(PCI) and haven't had much trouble with it.
The 95/98 install was wacky, but XP/2000 install was smooth.

Also, audio doesn't work on the card anymore. I've had the card for about 1 1/2 and I'm not sure about the lifespan of tv tuner cards.

 

[artemedes]

For up-to-date info on the TV wonder, perhaps you should check rage 3d, in their forums area
they have tv-wonder section. Some poeple have had success using win2k and winXP using the latest MMC 7.5. Check it out
if your interested.

 

[IamDavid]

I have an I\O Magic and love it. It has given me no problems at all..

 

[valiant]

I have phoebe Tv Master, that was ~$30, had TV in, svideo in, and a remote...pictures not too bad...and the win2k drivers work fine in xp...its worth a try

 

[scoobydooby]

I have a TV Wonder and WinXP and it works quite nicely. The ability to record shows is great. Hope that helps.
Scoob

 

[odog]

i'cve used two different hauppauge the model WinTV PCI 401(mono,w/remote) and WinTV-D 697(everything excpet radio and HD) both had good picture quality, the 401 was fine until i realized how much mono audio sucks.. i didn't hear the difference till i upgraded to the 697, and that alone is worth it.... whatever card you get IMHO the important feature to look for is stereo. i paid $43 for the 401 thru a staples pricematch then coupon reach around hot deal, the 697 was bought of JandR.com and only paid $50(card retailed for $299) that was a great deal....

currently i'm using the 697 in XP with the 3.31.19206.0 WinTV application and 3.11.19200.0 drivers.(no digital sig) i have a same tearing issue when in full screen due to my video cards overlay issues(not the TV cards fault it's the video cards. i forgot how i fixed it last time, but i don't care since i never use full screen) watch out for some nVidia chipset's some don't support overlay(mostly older models) and will not work at all, with "overlay" type tv cards.

 

[veryape]

I have a Haupauge and have no complaints as far as getting what I paid for(a tv card that works, gets a decent picture and doesn't crash my system). It has an alright feature set as far as i'm concerned. Then again i've only owned just this one tv card so I have nothing to compare it to.