Good HD PC Tuner Card?

[bigcheeshead]

I just got a new LCD monitor, Dell 2001FP and I figure now is the time to add more toys to "take full advantage";) of the monitor.

I'm looking for a good HDTV tuner card. I found this one.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=697206&Sku=TC3G-2004&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF

It claims that it receives in HD but actually converts it to 480p? I don't think that's right. Anyone can recommend a good PC card?

I'm assuming any computer monitor can handle the HD picture, or would I actually have to "downconvert" with the product above.

Also when they say that it comes with a "digital receiver" I wonder if it's compatible with DirectTV or would I still have to run it off DirectTV reciever first. Thx a bunch.

[Dan the Man]

Hey Big Cheese,

Take a look at this card:

Hipix HDTV (http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/mdp120.asp)

I'm looking to buy an HDTV card for my set-up and this one seems to be the best.

As far as I know, the only way you can use this with DirecTV is to use the S-video input on the card. Therefore, you will not be able to record HD from the receiver. You will only be able to receive and record/display DTV/HDTV from the coax RF input OTA.

This card costs allot more than the one you were looking at, but I feel this one is better.

[StarvingForHDTV]

The one's that have ATSC (Digital) checked at this link should do HDTV:

http://www.titantv.com/ttv/grid/aboutpvrwatchfull.aspx

I don't own any of them, so I can't tell you which is best.

Starving

[John L]

I have the Hauppauge WIN-TV-D PC card and works great. I can tell the difference between Standard Def and High Def and displays it as such.

With a good antenna, amp I get all the Milwaukee Digital channels with no problems. Crisp clear picture, one would expect in digital. It also receives analog channels too.

I have my outdoor antenna connected to it only. You can also add your cable to it as well as the OTA antenna.

You can take snapshots, freeze frame, etc.

Watching those nature shows on WMVT-DT in High Definition just blows my mind, excellent photos. I freezed frame some of them and saved them and took to work and showed a co-worker them since he loves nature pictures. He didn't believe me, when I told him I took them off TV. He thought I shot those pictures with a 35 mm camera. No way can you indiacte they was taken off TV, no scan lines, no ghost, crisp digital sharp pic.

If you look at the Hauppauge line at www.hauppauge.com they have several kinds of TV and radio cards. You do want to make sure you look at the WIN-TV-D the "D" signify's Digital. They have the usual Win-TV only cards which is analog only. Why anyone would get a analog only pc card nowdays is beyond me since those cards will be obsolete in a few years.

This item also has S-Video input, as well as connecting cable TV to it along with a outdoor antenna.

-John L.

[borghe]

There is no way to feed DirecTV directly into your PC (unlike DVB in Europe which you can). The closest you can get with DirecTV is hacking a DirecTivo (and hopefully an HD DirecTivo) which gives you a network connection and the ability to ftp and telnet into the box to pull shows off that way.

A tuner card is significantly easier and cheaper but won't give you DirecTV.. only OTA.

[picopir8]

I use the MyHD-120. Its a pretty solid card. It outputs in a variety of resolutions so it can be connected to a monitor or HDTV set. Im using it with a PC projector.

The bundled software allows you to record SDTV/HDTV to your hard drive. The software works with titan TV so you get free guide info and one click recording. No time shifting (yet??).

The chipset in the card supports VSB (over the air digital TV) and QAM (cable/satallite digital TV), however the software/firmware does not presently work with QAM. The chipset used in this card is the most popular chipset and there is an opensource driver effort so perhpas even if QAM isnt officially supported someone will find a way to use it.

The cards also comes with a remote control and IR module that plugs into your serial port. You can actually teach your computer to use a different remote if you prefer not to use the supplied remote.

For more info on retailers in the USA, check out:
http://www.mitinc.co.kr/mitinc/e_site/prod/prod_mdp100.jsp

And for what its worth, no HDTV cards support QAM (cable/satellite signals) yet. There are supposed to be a bunch of cards comming out this summer. Also a lot of people expect the makers of the MyHD-120 to release a patch arround the same time to support QAM.

[borghe]

Also just announced was ATI coming out with an HD receiver card, the HD Wonder. No pricing was announced. Availability is expected to be Q2 2004. It will be available both separately and in a combo pack with various All-In-Wonder cards.

[tazman]

Not too many people out there seem to be using the PC tuner cards, especially the HD ones. I for one would like to hear from more people who are. Regarding what card to buy, I can only inform you of my experience. I regrettably own one of the Hauppauge WINTV-HD cards. Don't get me wrong it does work, but not all that well, and not with out a host of problems along the way. With out getting long winded about it, go to HDTVpub and read the review I did on the card at http://www.hdtvpub.com/viewprod.cfm/cat_decoder/thread_Hauppauge/prod_WinTVHD/

I can't speak for the WINTV-D card that the other gentleman owns, that card may be great, but I don't believe you can get HD programming with it, I might be wrong.
I for one would like to hear what people can and cannot do with their cards and the included software as compared to the manufacturers HYPE.

Tazman:)

[Joseph S]

There are a few "Good HD PC Tuner Cards" but there isn't one that stands above. At this point you're probably going to be most satisfied with the MyHD or Fusion II cards. I own the HiPix and the MyHD. The Hipix is great, but the software is not being maintained anymore, there is no DVI option, and the cards are rare. On the other hand, MyHD and Fusion have continued software development and DVI, but the software is picky with filenames and configs and not always reliable. I think for the PVR functionality any of the cards are worth owning it's too bad the TWC boxes don't allow us to do what Comcast's boxes do for PVR HD Cable via firewire.

[borghe]

actually it is only some comcast systems... other comcast systems have IEEE1394 turned off..

the only guaranteed bet for recording HD is a PC tuner card, a 169time DirecTV box, an OTA-only Samsung box, and.. umm. that's it. I am hoping that we will be able telnet and ftp into the HD Tivos and grab video that way, but only time will tell...

[digdugm]

I also am using the MyHD card. It works very well, better with each software update. Its more like a vcr than a TiVo, but with a well tuned computer it should work flawlessly. Make sure you have alot of harddrive space, files are massive. Personally I couldn't live without it, I'm even considering getting another one, to be able to watch something while recording something else.

[Doug Mohr]

I am also using the MyHD Card. I have been very happy with it. I like being able to do a "one click" schedule record from titantv.com

I can also burn the shows to DVD without any special tricks.

Doug

[tazman]

Any one looking for a slightly used Hauppauge WINTV-HD card? Boy the more I hear from others that have the MyHD card and what the software is able to do. I think it won't be long before that Hauppauge card I've got hits the circular recycler. I have a question for those who have the MyHD card. Does it have a remote, and can you tune the multi cast channels with it? Right now I have to switch video inputs with my TV remote to get to my Windows XP desktop, then right click on the WINTV2000 software window to get a popup with a menu that allows me to select a multi cast channel such as PBS 8.1 or 8.1 or 8.3 and so forth. Once the channel is selected I can then switch back to the YPP video inputs that the Hauppauge card is connected to. Teadious to say the least.

Tazman

Sony KF60-XBR800 60" LCD
Medion 2.66 Ghz P4 HTPC with Hauppage WINTV-HD
Nvidia GE-Force4 ti4200 128 meg DDR dual head VGA
connected to a RCA RGB to YPP transcoder box
Denon 1803 AV receiver
Polk Audio RM 6200 5.1 with PSW350 10" powered sub

[digdugm]

Yes it does have a remote, its pretty nice. http://www.digitalconnection.com/?Keohi%20HDTV take a look. I also heard that you can use the IR input with software like grider to control anything on your computer.

[Snard]

Originally posted by tazman
Any one looking for a slightly used Hauppauge WINTV-HD card? Boy the more I hear from others that have the MyHD card and what the software is able to do. I think it won't be long before that Hauppauge card I've got hits the circular recycler. I have a question for those who have the MyHD card. Does it have a remote, and can you tune the multi cast channels with it? Right now I have to switch video inputs with my TV remote to get to my Windows XP desktop, then right click on the WINTV2000 software window to get a popup with a menu that allows me to select a multi cast channel such as PBS 8.1 or 8.1 or 8.3 and so forth. Once the channel is selected I can then switch back to the YPP video inputs that the Hauppauge card is connected to. Teadious to say the least.

Tazman
Mind you, I haven't heard that many good things about the Hauppauge card (I own a standard definition Hauppauge tuner, which is okay), but I saw on their web site that the WinTV-HD comes with a remote control. Doesn't it work under Windows XP?

[John L]

I have a Win-TV-D and a Remote Control. When I have both the TV and computer on and display the video from the computer onto the TV, the Remote Control can affect both control between the TV and Win-TV-D.

Yes I do have a video card that outputs NTSC video in which I have connected to my VCR. I can view things on the internet on my TV if I rather watch that then the monitor. But the monitor provides better and sharper images.

-John L.

[tazman]

Hi Snard

Yes the remote does work under Windows XP with the Hauppauge software which is the WINTV2000 software that I talk about. The thing that I cannot do is to tune any multi cast channels with it. Example, lets say I select channel 46 digital which is the channel that WDJT 58 multi casts on. There is no feature on the remote that allows me to select lets say 46.2 or 46.3 or 46.4. I have to go to my Windows XP desktop where the WINTV2000 software is running and right click in that window to get a popup menu, from there I can select from a list of the multi casts for that particular channel. Just for a little clarification the Hauppauge card has it's own YPP component outputs which I have connected to my TV. My Nvidia cards VGA output goes through a RCA RGB to YPP transcoder box and then to another set of YPP inputs on my TV. The Hauppauge card is not able to display anything on the TV through it's YPP connections other than it's own output, in other words it will not pass through anything from the desktop, It also does not have a DVD decoder so I can not upscale DVD movies with it. I do however use my PC to play DVD's and use the Nvidia card to output my movies as 720p. Not as good as the same movie in true HD, but better than a stand alone progressive scan DVD player, and that I know for a fact because I had a Toshiba Progressive DVD player hooked up and set to progressive, and tried a movie in both the PC's DVD player and the Toshiba. Thats why I say that when I want to see whats on some of the multicasts, I have to switch inputs with my TV remote to get to the Win XP desktop and then switch back again.

[HiDefDon]

I have been using the HiDTV card for over a year and it is working very well for me. I use it almost every day (just finished watching CSI which is wonderful on HTDV). I also have an RCA DTC-100 STB and can verify that the HiDTV card definitely has better tuner performance. Unfortunately this tuner card is not being supported and is not being sold any more in the US, so I really can't recommend it.

If I were going to purchase a tuner card today, I would go with the latest MyHD card. If you are willing to wait a few more weeks (months?) the ATI card looks interesting. The ATI tuner card uses the NXT2004 demodulator chip which should provide the best available tuner performance (high sensitivity and best tolerance of multipath).

Here in the Dallas area (I do still miss Manitowoc and Milwaukee) we have been furtunate that OTA HDTV programming has been available from many stations for some time. I am planning to add an ATI card to my main home computer and record HDTV onto a Firewire 800 hard drive. Then I can unplug the hard drive and attach it to my HTPC for viewing and selective archiving.

DonP

[tazman]

Hi to HIDEFDON

I only wish I would have taken a closer look at the MyHD card before making the decission to buy the Hauppauge card. They were both in the same price range. As far as tuner sensitivity goes the WINTV-HD card from Hauppauge leaves much to be desired. We have a low power analog channel in Milwaukee which transmits MTV-2 programming. When connecting my antenna lead to the built in tuner on my TV I can receive it just fine. Then connecting that same cable to the Hauppauge card, the signal is barely dicernable. I did here about the ATI card as well and I do periodicaly check their site to look for specs and features and a possible release date. I only have to convince my wife that it's worth spending another $300. on a new computer upgrade versus just getting a stand alone STB. My wife hates having to deal with operating anything on a computer just to watch TV and I do believe I have things simplified as much as I possibly can.:)

[bigcheeshead]

Thanks to all that responded to this thread. I've been monitoring every response and I think I'm finally ready to make my decision.
I will purchase MyHD card and build a dedicated Media Center PC with myhtpc software.
The system will only be connected to the TV via RGB, no regular monitor will be required. In addition to watching TV I would like to watch DVD's etc on the PC.

To accomplish this I'm assuming I'll have to use configuration #3, see http://www.digitalconnection.com/Support/cn_myhd8.asp

Could someone please clarify to me why.
1. I have to use a transcoder instead of a cheap vga to component cable.
2. Why does the video card needs to be hooked up to MyHD card?

Also, so I understand this correctly. The card will only work with OTA and not TW cable HD?

P.S. For those of you that haven't seen myhtpc do yourself a favor and check out this wonderful freeware. I fell in love with it the first day :) http:\\www.myhtpc.net

[sp44again]

myhtpc rocks! :rock:

[Doug Mohr]

Originally posted by bigcheeshead
Could someone please clarify to me why.
1. I have to use a transcoder instead of a cheap vga to component cable.
2. Why does the video card needs to be hooked up to MyHD card?

Also, so I understand this correctly. The card will only work with OTA and not TW cable HD?

1. If you mean RGBHV component, you can. If you mean Y-Pb-Pr component, then you can't. The MyHD VGA passthrough does not convert VGA to Y-Pb-Pr. If you use a Y-Pb-Pr output on the MyHD card to a Y-Pb-Pr monitor, you will never see your desktop since the card just passes along the vga output of the card.

2. to allow viewing the desktop for other computer activity or to see the HD broadcasts in a scalable window.

I only use it for OTA, but I am 99.99% positive that it will work fine with cable. In fact I think that is the reason for two inputs, one can be antenna and another, cable.

As for watching DVDs, the new MyHD software does some impressive DVD playback. You just need DVD Region Free to allow viewing of protected content in full screen.

Doug

[tazman]

That is similar to the Hauppauge card that I have. I use a RCA RGB to YPP transcoder box which is available at American for $75 or $80. You didn't say what HD set you have. Some, like the Samsung LCD and DLP have a VGA port on them already and you do not have to do anything else. In my case I needed to use the transcoder box. I also needed to install PowerStrip to set my video timmings correctly, even though Nvidia's latest drivers support 1280x720P, I was not able to get the horizontal sync set correctly to center the picture without using PowerStrip. As far as digital cable goes Gregg Lengling might be able to answer your question on that, he has one of those cards. My Hauppauge supports only analoge cable, at least thats what it says in the instructions. Be very carefull when adjusting video timming settings with PowerStrip some sets do not take well to incorrect settings. I'm lucky the Sony I have is very forgiving and it hasn't blown up.:D I stand corrected, you did say what set you have. I didn't see that untill after I posted this.:o

[Gregg Lengling]

None of the tuner cards "YET" support digital cable..they only support analog cable. I'm sure it's only a matter of time, but I haven't even seen a press release on one that does digital cable yet...but stay tuned when someone announces one you can be sure I'll post it on the Latest News forum.

[Doug Mohr]

Not having ever subscribed to cable, I didn't know that TW cable HD = Digital Cable.

Sorry if I confused anyone.

Doug

[Gregg Lengling]

Originally posted by Doug Mohr
Not having ever subscribed to cable, I didn't know that TW cable HD = Digital Cable.

Sorry if I confused anyone.

Doug

No problem everyone learns something new here all the time. Whilst HD from TW is digital, just remember you don't have to subscribe to digital cable to get it. You can have basic cable and add the HD box and HD services without upgrading to the digital package. From what I understand this is for local HD channels....if you want HBO or SHOW HD you'll still have to subscribe to digital in order to receive those packages though.

(Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

[mrmike]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
None of the tuner cards "YET" support digital cable..they only support analog cable.

The Fusion HDTV III supports QAM in theory, but it doesn't work yet.

-MM

[Doug Mohr]

Originally posted by Gregg Lengling
No problem everyone learns something new here all the time. Whilst HD from TW is digital, just remember you don't have to subscribe to digital cable to get it. You can have basic cable and add the HD box and HD services without upgrading to the digital package. From what I understand this is for local HD channels....if you want HBO or SHOW HD you'll still have to subscribe to digital in order to receive those packages though.

(Someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

Man, that's confusing! I'll think I'll stick with OTA :cool:

Doug