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Thread: Can someone reccommend a good (non-Hauppage) PVR card?

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    Can someone reccommend a good (non-Hauppage) PVR card?

    Can someone reccommend a good (non-Hauppage) PVR card?

    Would prefer comments from people who have actually owned such cards and have some real world experience (could do without the manufacturers marketing spiel).

    Thanks.
    Last edited by Hobart Paving; 09-01-2005 at 06:26 PM.

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    Are you looking for a card with some sort of onboard mpeg-II encoder, or just a tuner card that relies on software (therefore CPU time) to record? Also, for what OS? - I'm guessing windows, but if linux there's a few caveats to some of the choices.

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    Not sure what the benefits are of hardware MPEG2 encoding over software - no dropped frames at high bit rates? Basically I need to record TV programs when I'm not around. Direct encoding into AVi/DivX would be preferable (because MPEG2 is quite a 'lossey' format) but I guess there aren't many cards that do this?

    Also I would prefer something relatively inexpensive if possible (£50-£100?)

    I have WinXP, 3ghz CPU etc

    Basically, I would prefer something that works and works well (alot of users say that the Hauppage cards are good quality but the software is appalling, crashes all the time etc).
    Last edited by Hobart Paving; 09-01-2005 at 07:05 PM.

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    Ryszard had a play with a Gainward product recently, it appears to be Philips based.

    http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews...JsX3BhZ2U9Mg==
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    Quote Originally Posted by Kez
    Ryszard had a play with a Gainward product recently, it appears to be Philips based.

    http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews...JsX3BhZ2U9Mg==

    What the heck is wrong with you Kez?

    http://forums.hexus.net/showthread.php?t=29031

    Ati 550 Pro based tuner cards... Or the New elite that will be out this feb...

    http://www.ati.com/products/tvwonderelite/features.html

    Either way they have a 12 bit chip! Theres no substitute!

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    HEXUS webmaster Steve's Avatar
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    That was the most recent TV tuner related review I remember, that's all.

    Myth's thread link also has links to articles about ATi's tuner.
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    Myth - Would prefer comments without marketing spiel and from people who have tried the cards they're talking about......
    Last edited by Hobart Paving; 09-01-2005 at 07:45 PM.

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    Quote Originally Posted by Hobart Paving
    Would prefer comments without marketing spiel and from people who have tried the cards they're talking about......

    Well, I don't think thats going to happen... Well at least not for any card 550 pro based, simply cause there not out yet! They were supposed to be released a long time ago... Well a month or two, but any day now we should be seeing some reviews on the net. But I really don't care much about all the hype cause I trust ATi and I have owned there tuners before. There top notch and this 550 is (correct me if I'm wrong) is the most advanced one yet! They have been certified by ISF for image quality... Something the others cant say! Also there software is versatile, and you can chose between a third parties or Ati's aclaimed MMC software!

    Edit: You can read about the chip here...

    http://www.ati.com/products/theater550/index.html
    Last edited by myth; 09-01-2005 at 07:53 PM.

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    Asking silly questions menthel's Avatar
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    You could try this one, I have heard very good things about it. http://www.nebula-electronics.com/
    Not around too often!

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    Quote Originally Posted by menthel
    You could try this one, I have heard very good things about it. http://www.nebula-electronics.com/
    Aye - I've heard nowt but good about the DigiTV, especially the software that comes with it. Support is supposed to be second to none also.

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    Thanks for the Nebula recommedation - the DigiTV is a great card by all accounts - its a Freeview card.

    Problem is that it doesn't accept a cable aerial - sorry I forget to mention that - I need something that accepts a cable aerial as well as analogue TV reception. Any ideas?

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