[Ulala]

So I'm looking to turn my computer into my TV as well since I don't have one of my own really... and I'd kinda like to be able to watch tv in my room.. and don't want to spend the money on a TV, so I figured I'd give one of those TV cards a try. Anyone have any experience with these? I'd like to spend $80 or less if I can manage it ($100 maximum budget for this probably), and I'd kinda like it to be hdtv compatible just so I won't have to upgrade it/buy a new/another one any time soon. Basically, something like this, but not with so many so-so reviews:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16815100140

Any suggestions?

Thanks!  

[Kosh]

Why not get everything in an All-In-Wonder card?

[Ulala]

Everything? What else is there? Got a link? 

[Kosh]

Well, what's your budget?

This is the mid range one:

http://www.ati.com/products/radeonx1300/aiw2006pcie/index.html


Basically they are a video card, a tv tuner, and a few other TV related things all in one card. This option might be good if your current video card sucks.

[Ulala]

Oh gotcha. My video card is still decent, a GeForce 6800GT. I was hoping to spend around $80 for the hdtv tuner card, but I could probably be persuaded to shell out around $100 for the right card.

[Kosh]

I don't know how much this one costs, has anyone ever used it?

http://www.ati.com/products/hdtvwonder/index.html

[Ulala]

I can't find any pictures of the actual card itself.. just promo ati football on monitor stuff and I think maybe some box art.. not really sure. Looks to be $99?

[Kosh]

Well, I am pretty sure it looks similair to any other tuner card out there. If you want to get a price, go to an online computer retailer.

[Nuke]

just get you one of those usb to tv adapter gizmos. or go for a video caputre card. id steer clear of the combo video/tv cards. i had one once, a voodoo3 3500, which was a good card up untill quake 3 came out. theyre nice up till your video card no longer supports the features of the current games. then you pretty much have to choose between tv and good graphics. if you want internal id just get a pci video capture card, which is normally used for video editing. those can range anywhere between 20 bucks and 200 bucks (and up for professional grade cards, though pros typically go for dedicated video rigs). some just do video and require a sound card imput, some do both and relay sound to video card through the bus ot through analog cable. id check to make sure that your sound card has a header for it and buy accordingly.

[Bobboau]

I have an ATI TVwonder, I like it, it is good, you should get one.

[kode]

and I've got some hauppage that isn't bad at all either.

[Ulala]

Hmm, not quite getting the convincing everyone saying to get the same specific thing answer that could've prevented me from having to make a choice... 

[Taristin]

and I've got some hauppage that isn't bad at all either.

Interesting... Hauppaugue is a town right near where I used to live...





Anyway; if you're looking to use the TV tuner for video games, beware. Iv're read there's a slight lag in some of them, and more fast paced games are impossible to play because of this.
But for just TV, they're fine.

What I'm looking to do, personally, would be to get a standalone unit that decodes and sends the signal directly to the monitor, so I could just use the monitor as a TV on its own, without the PC processing stages. Still contemplating that, though.

[Nuke]

of course running through the computer has other advantages, like being able to record it.

[Ulala]

Basically what it comes down to is that soon I'm going to buy a big, expensive, widescreen, hd capable monitor and I can justify spending the money better to myself (and anyone willing to help me by shelling out a little extra dough at the end of the month, i.e. mom) if it can double as something that can be used for watching TV. So, I want to have that capability in my computer. Recording would certainly be nice, but it's not absolutely necessary I suppose...

But I'm still feeling stuck at square one.

[Nuke]

well do you need to go through an antenna or a cable box or some other means, like a vcr. it helps to know. if you absolutely need to  come in through coax id get a card that has an internal audio header to soundcard. if yore coming in through a reciever of sorts, id just get a video only device and bring the audio in through your line in port. if all you plan to do is watch tv, id suggest something low end. but if youre gonna want to record id get something a little better. just go to newegg.com and punch in video capture cards. it should give you a few. go over them untill you find one that gives you what you need.

[kode]

Anyway; if you're looking to use the TV tuner for video games, beware. Iv're read there's a slight lag in some of them, and more fast paced games are impossible to play because of this.
But for just TV, they're fine.

kinda depends on the software more. the one shipping with my card has a buffert delay, while dscaler does not.

[Ulala]

I don't really have much in the way of consoles anymore, so I doubt I'd ever be playing video games on it. It's basically for just watching tv and recording some episodes of Lost would be nice I suppose. Again, I'd like it to be hdtv capable... not absolutely necessary mind you, but a feature I'd like so I won't have to buy another one any time soon, like ever.

I went to newegg and typed in video capture card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=0&showmore=40000000&Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=video+capture+card&Ntk=all

But not finding any that are hd capable.

[Taristin]

I went to newegg and typed in video capture card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?N=0&showmore=40000000&Submit=ENE&DEPA=0&Description=video+capture+card&Ntk=all

But not finding any that are hd capable.

Because you're going about it wrong.

Computer Hardware -> Video Cards & TV Tuner Cards -> Search for HDTV Tuner Cards

http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductList.asp?SrchInDesc=HDTV&Page=1&Category=38&N=2010380047+1148510222&Submit=ENE&Nty=1&Subcategory=47

[Nuke]

^ that probibly works better