Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 16 of 19

Thread: TV cards

  1. #1
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    TV cards

    Anyone know anywhere which has info on TV cards? I am looking to purchase one and the extent of my knowledge is "they make it possible to watch TV on your PC".

    No idea what the price ranges are, or anything.

    I need a real beginners guide and I thought you guys at Hexus would be my best bet

  2. #2
    Gentoo Ricer
    Join Date
    Jan 2005
    Location
    Galway
    Posts
    11,048
    Thanks
    1,016
    Thanked
    944 times in 704 posts
    • aidanjt's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus Strix Z370-G
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7-8700K
      • Memory:
      • 2x8GB Corsiar LPX 3000C15
      • Storage:
      • 500GB Samsung 960 EVO
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GTX 970 SC ACX 2.0
      • PSU:
      • EVGA G3 750W
      • Case:
      • Fractal Design Define C Mini
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 Pro
      • Monitor(s):
      • Asus MG279Q
      • Internet:
      • 240mbps Virgin Cable

    Re: TV cards

    These guys write TV card drivers for Linux, so it contains a lot of hardware/standards/tech specific information: Main Page - LinuxTVWiki
    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    ...every time Creative bring out a new card range their advertising makes it sound like they have discovered a way to insert a thousand Chuck Norris super dwarfs in your ears...

  3. #3
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    Re: TV cards

    What are the main players with regards to TV cards?

    Do I need analogue or digital? (in the UK)

    Any specific cards I should avoid?

    That wiki was a bit general, I didn't know where to start D:

  4. #4
    Comfortably Numb directhex's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    /dev/urandom
    Posts
    17,074
    Thanks
    228
    Thanked
    1,027 times in 678 posts
    • directhex's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Asus ROG Strix B550-I Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Ryzen 5900x
      • Memory:
      • 64GB G.Skill Trident Z RGB
      • Storage:
      • 2TB Seagate Firecuda 520
      • Graphics card(s):
      • EVGA GeForce RTX 3080 XC3 Ultra
      • PSU:
      • EVGA SuperNOVA 850W G3
      • Case:
      • NZXT H210i
      • Operating System:
      • Ubuntu 20.04, Windows 10
      • Monitor(s):
      • LG 34GN850
      • Internet:
      • FIOS

    Re: TV cards

    dvb-t. try a hauppauge nova-t

  5. #5
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    Re: TV cards

    £40 is a bit mroe than I was hoping to spend, I'm aiming more around the £30 top whack mark.

    Something like this, perhaps:

  6. #6
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    630
    Thanked
    965 times in 816 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    Re: TV cards

    Quote Originally Posted by Link97 View Post
    £40 is a bit mroe than I was hoping to spend, I'm aiming more around the £30 top whack mark.

    Something like this, perhaps: Pinnacle 3010IX PCTV Dual Hybrid Pro PVR / PCI Express / DVB-T/Analogue TV Tuner / Whitebox
    Fixed the link in your post.

    Have a look on Scan, they have a good selection.

    WHat do you want to do with the TV card? Just record analogue TV? Freeview? Or run a media Center type system?

    Hauppauge are the most widely available, well supported and relatively stable. Although I don't really know of any particularly bad cards. Some of the bundled TV software apps can be pretty flakey, but if they have standard drivers you can usually use them with third part software.

  7. #7
    HEXUS.social member Agent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Internet
    Posts
    19,185
    Thanks
    739
    Thanked
    1,614 times in 1,050 posts

    Re: TV cards

    Link97 - could you please stop writing in blue in every post? Its considered pretty rude unless you have a reason to do so

    Cheers buddy
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

  8. #8
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    Re: TV cards

    Quote Originally Posted by Funkstar View Post
    Fixed the link in your post.

    Have a look on Scan, they have a good selection.

    WHat do you want to do with the TV card? Just record analogue TV? Freeview? Or run a media Center type system?

    Hauppauge are the most widely available, well supported and relatively stable. Although I don't really know of any particularly bad cards. Some of the bundled TV software apps can be pretty flakey, but if they have standard drivers you can usually use them with third part software.
    Just for random TV watching rather than going next door to watch TV. I also want to be able to record what I watch so I can watch it later.

    @Agent: I have about 15,000 posts around the internet which are all blue, and you're the first to complain D:[/color]

  9. #9
    Does he need a reason? Funkstar's Avatar
    Join Date
    Aug 2005
    Location
    Aberdeen
    Posts
    19,874
    Thanks
    630
    Thanked
    965 times in 816 posts
    • Funkstar's system
      • Motherboard:
      • Gigabyte EG45M-DS2H
      • CPU:
      • Intel Core2Quad Q9550 (2.83GHz)
      • Memory:
      • 8GB OCZ PC2-6400C5 800MHz Quad Channel
      • Storage:
      • 650GB Western Digital Caviar Blue
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 512MB ATI Radeon HD4550
      • PSU:
      • Antec 350W 80+ Efficient PSU
      • Case:
      • Antec NSK1480 Slim Mini Desktop Case
      • Operating System:
      • Vista Ultimate 64bit
      • Monitor(s):
      • Dell 2407 + 2408 monitors
      • Internet:
      • Zen 8mb

    Re: TV cards

    I would have said something about the colour too, but I didn't want to appear rude

    Grrrr, here is the link to scan which I posted before: Scan DVB-T cards

  10. #10
    HEXUS.social member Agent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jul 2003
    Location
    Internet
    Posts
    19,185
    Thanks
    739
    Thanked
    1,614 times in 1,050 posts

    Re: TV cards

    I wasn't complaining Link97 - I've just had a fair few PM's about it

    Unless there is a reason not to use black, its a lot easier to read

    Cheers mate
    Quote Originally Posted by Saracen View Post
    And by trying to force me to like small pants, they've alienated me.

  11. #11
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    Re: TV cards

    Quote Originally Posted by Agent View Post
    I wasn't complaining Link97 - I've just had a fair few PM's about it

    Unless there is a reason not to use black, its a lot easier to read

    Cheers mate
    Fair enough D:

  12. #12
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2007
    Location
    NE-UK
    Posts
    533
    Thanks
    67
    Thanked
    22 times in 22 posts
    • s3ds's system
      • Motherboard:
      • PK5-WS
      • CPU:
      • E6850
      • Memory:
      • 4GB Kingston
      • Storage:
      • 15k Seagate SAS
      • Graphics card(s):
      • Nvidia Quadro
      • PSU:
      • 500W Enermax
      • Case:
      • Coolmaster Centurion
      • Operating System:
      • XP SP3 or Ubuntu
      • Monitor(s):
      • TWIN 22" NEOVO
      • Internet:
      • o2 LLU

    Re: TV cards

    I have used a few TV cards in the past but all have failed to match the quality of a cheap external freeview box.
    I don't get a good signal in the area i live and that signal was then split 4 ways and boosted by a professionally installed ariel and booster.

    4 cheap boxes coped but none of the DVB-T cards did as good.

    What I did find is the cheaper they became the worse they were ( I have not bought one for a few years so things may have changed )

    If you live in an area with good reception and depending on PC ( i found they work better in PCI slot furthest from fans with no other card close ) then the best i have used is the nova-T


    Computer hardware and software at amazing prices, available online from Scan Computers UK
    Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.

  13. #13
    Registered+
    Join Date
    Apr 2008
    Posts
    88
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked
    0 times in 0 posts
    • Link97's system
      • Motherboard:
      • ASUS 780i P5N-T Deluxe
      • CPU:
      • Q6600 @ 3.4GHz
      • Memory:
      • 4GiB Corsair TwinX XMS2 PC6400
      • Storage:
      • 1 x 80GB (OS) 1 x 500GB
      • Graphics card(s):
      • PNY 8800GT 512MiB
      • PSU:
      • Silverstone 500W
      • Case:
      • Akasa Zen Tower case
      • Monitor(s):
      • 19" Suyama 1280x1024

    Re: TV cards

    Another vote for nova-T. I do believe I will note this down and purchase it later, then.

    Unless anyone else has a fantastic idea, I think we can say "case closed".

  14. #14
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Aug 2007
    Posts
    387
    Thanks
    20
    Thanked
    30 times in 21 posts

    Re: TV cards

    Some areas are still useless for digital TV reception, you may need a good external aerial to get any channels. I've found the small aerials that come with TV cards to be ineffective in my area (N. Southampton).

  15. #15
    mutantbass head Lee H's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2003
    Location
    M28, Manchester
    Posts
    14,204
    Thanks
    337
    Thanked
    671 times in 580 posts
    • Lee H's system
      • Motherboard:
      • MSI Z370 Carbon Gaming
      • CPU:
      • Intel i7 8700K Unlocked CPU
      • Memory:
      • 16 GB Corsair Vengeance 3200 LPX
      • Storage:
      • 250GB 960 EVO + a few more drives
      • Graphics card(s):
      • 6GB Palit GTX 1060 Dual
      • PSU:
      • Antec Truepower 750W Modular Blue
      • Case:
      • Corsair 600T White Edition
      • Operating System:
      • Windows 10 PRO
      • Monitor(s):
      • 27" Asus MX279H & 24" Acer 3D GD245HQ + the 3D glasses
      • Internet:
      • Virgin Media

    Re: TV cards

    I'll add my 2p's worth and vote for the Nova-T series here.

    Got both the standard Nova-T and the Nova-T 500 MCE edition and they work flawlessly whenever I need them.

    The only benefit of the 500 is it is a dual digital tuner, so I can record 1 freeview channel while watching another

  16. #16
    Senior Member
    Join Date
    Sep 2006
    Location
    Leeds
    Posts
    2,599
    Thanks
    81
    Thanked
    106 times in 94 posts

    Re: TV cards

    I can also recommend Pinnacle cards. The have good drivers and in my experience are as good as their Hauppauge equivalents.

    The main choice you need to make is whether you want dual or single tuners? Dual tuners are obviously more expensive and are out of your current price range. Just but the cheapest single tuner, I think Pinnacle do one for £20ish

    This one for £23.49 would be my choice, well within your £30 budget.
    Pinnacle PCTV DVB-T PCI Digital Tv Tuner Card with remote control

Thread Information

Users Browsing this Thread

There are currently 1 users browsing this thread. (0 members and 1 guests)

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 0
    Last Post: 15-05-2006, 08:48 AM
  2. Latest Generation Graphics Cards
    By Allen in forum Graphics Cards
    Replies: 8
    Last Post: 18-04-2006, 02:46 PM
  3. Powered Graphic Cards.
    By hooli in forum Welcome to HEXUS!
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 29-03-2006, 02:08 PM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •