Good TV tuner for win7 64bit?

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RogueTrip

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Feb 22, 2003
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Consider me a n00b for TV tuners as I never really played with one. I'm looking for one that can handle analog and ATSC 1080i content with a good scheduler program. Price is around $50 bones unless picture quality really sucks then let me know!

Last time I looked into tv tuners the ATI 750 was just on the horizon and I don't know if it is still a relevant card anymore. Also is Xvid avi output even something these cards do or will I need to do some extra transcoding?

I'm gonna double check but only think I have a PCI slot left. I'm using basic cable but still has HD sub channels.

Thanks!
 
I use an Avermedia HD tuner (can't remember the exact model # off the top of my head) which is capable of tuning 2 shows at once. On top of that I also use a Silicondust HDHomerun, but pretty sure that's out of the price range you want. Both are excellent tuners, though.
 
Get an HD Homerun. Its a network based tuner and the best one I've ever owned.
 
Yup, and the Silicon Dust website will tell you which channels you can receive using it. If the channels you want to record are encrypted, you'll need the cablecard version, assuming your cable service offers cablecard for your service tier.
 
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HDHomeRun is a good tuner for Windows 7. I also like the fact that it's a separate network connected device; this comes in especially handy if you should get HDHomeRun Prime with CableCard (and TA).
 
Will the HDHomerun Dual take a signal from a cable box (stb) or does it absolutely have to take input from antenna or directly from the wall?
 
cmadki4 said:
Will the HDHomerun Dual take a signal from a cable box (stb) or does it absolutely have to take input from antenna or directly from the wall?
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Should work fine from a STB, assuming the signal is strong enough. However, you'll only tune clearQAM signals (basically the free network channels, like NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, etc). Check silicondust website for which cable channels are still in the clear (Support/Channels).
 
enginurd said:
Should work fine from a STB, assuming the signal is strong enough. However, you'll only tune clearQAM signals (basically the free network channels, like NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX, etc). Check silicondust website for which cable channels are still in the clear (Support/Channels).
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Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've checked that. But I'm really wanting to know if I can get every station that I would normally get on my cable box to pass through the HDHR. Essentially, I want to use the HDHR as a capture card and change channels on the cable box. Doable? Or do I need a different tuner/capture card?
 
To get everything you get from a cablebox you need a cable card tuner. Right now there are three, the Ceton InfiniTV 4 and the Silicon Dust HD Home Run Prime and Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650. They're pricey but worth it if you intend is to dump your set top box completely.
 
cmadki4 said:
Thanks for the response. Yeah, I've checked that. But I'm really wanting to know if I can get every station that I would normally get on my cable box to pass through the HDHR. Essentially, I want to use the HDHR as a capture card and change channels on the cable box.

Doable? Or do I need a different tuner/capture card?
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Nope, you want a capture card, not a tuner.

If you want a tuner, then you'd need a cablecard tuner for the encrypted channels, as bigdavemt mentioned.
 
bigdavemt said:
To get everything you get from a cablebox you need a cable card tuner. Right now there are three, the Ceton InfiniTV 4 and the Silicon Dust HD Home Run Prime and Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650. They're pricey but worth it if you intend is to dump your set top box completely.
Click to expand...
I don't mind keeping the cable box, I just want to be able to pass its video output through my HTPC. Can the HDHomerun do that or do I need something else. For money reasons I have no desire to replace my cable box with a cable card setup. Thanks for your input!
 
sorry for being unclear earlier, no, the hdhomerun can not be used as a capture card.
 
enginurd said:
sorry for being unclear earlier, no, the hdhomerun can not be used as a capture card.
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Ah, okay. I was thinking that was so, but couldn't find anywhere that just comes out and says it. Thank you. Looks like I need a tuner card w/ IR blaster and analog input.

Suggestions anyone?
 
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