TV tuner for computer

[guy 27]

I am looking to get a tv tuner for my computer.
Preferably one with software that allows recording.

Recommendations?

What should I be looking for?

I have seen a few around that are either usb or pci cards. Which is better to use?

Any info you have would be great.

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[poita]

i use pci cards for mine.

have 2 leadteks and a pinnacle.

the pinnacle is a dual digital tuner. so can watch one and record another.

the 3 i have bought have all come with software, but havent used it

i use windows media centre for all control


do you have a ps3 by any chance?

[guy 27]

no ps3.
would it be a better option to get one and run it though that?

[carab]

Got a leadtek myself and never had too many issues with it. Only minor stuff with getting things to work like media centre but thats due to compatibility. Use the supplied software and ull be sweet.

Also depending on what your pc specs are, PCI or PCI-express is really up to if uve got the spare slots, same with USB but usb is limited cuase some dont have external antenna ports. I used pci-e simply cause it sits above my graphics cards and wont cook

If its an old machine or u dont want it to hog resources there are also cards with onboard MPEG decoders so ur cpu is basiclly free to do its own thing.

[poita]

sony are releasing PlayTV around christmas (yet to be confirmed)

its a dual hi def digital tuner

will turn a ps3 into a PVR.

[guy 27]

Also depending on what your pc specs are, PCI or PCI-express is really up to if uve got the spare slots, same with USB but usb is limited cuase some dont have external antenna ports. I used pci-e simply cause it sits above my graphics cards and wont cook

Computer has a couple of spare PCI slots. Might look into the leadtek as a temp solution.

sony are releasing PlayTV around christmas (yet to be confirmed)

its a dual hi def digital tuner

will turn a ps3 into a PVR.

Sounds like a good reason to get a ps3. I might do some research into this.

[poita]

If you do go the PS3 route, i suggest to throw a 500GB hard drive into it.

its just 2.5" laptop drive

[guy 27]

If you do go the PS3 route, i suggest to throw a 500GB hard drive into it.

its just 2.5" laptop drive

Is 500gb the largest they support?

[poita]

i think they will support a 750gb drive, i have only looked at the 500gb cause the 750gb where too $$$ at the time

[guy 27]

Cheers for the quick responses. I will get a leadtek when i get back to melb and then get a ps3 down the track.

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