TV tuner for HTPC
 

I am looking for an inexpensive way to add a video tuner/capture card to my HTPC so that I can record TV shows and such. I have a video card installed already that allows me to hook up to my TV. I have open full height PCI slots in this computer, but the AGP slot is only half-height (the afore mentioned TV out video card), so I am thinking it will have to be a PCI card. Again, this is a somewhat budget minded project. Any ideas? There are a million choices on Newegg but I haven't had any experience with a most of the cards they sell. Thanks!

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

I would only ever suggest a Haupauge PVR-150. If you were going to set up MCE then maybe a Theatre 550 pro. But for the price vs. quality vs. happiness, the haupauge is the only way to go. There are many other cards available, but I'd rather spend the $60 and get the one that I know will work well.

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

I have only owned, and agree to the hauppauge cards also! I currently use a 350, and love it!

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

Yep, my pvr-150mce has treated me well.

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

Thanks for the info everyone. $60 isn't bad, I just didn't want to lay out $100 or more, so it is withing budget. Thanks again for all the help.

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

You may want to look a little more to the future and try a HDTV card, like the Dvico Fusion series, the newest version ( Fusion HDTV5 Gold Plus ) with the remote sells for about $150.00 (Froogle Search)

They have Win MCE and Win 64 support.

p.d.

Re: TV tuner for HTPC
 

My personal favorite; Hauppage as well.
WinTV-PVR-500MCE.. with this you can:
Watch one TV show while recording another because it has
built-in dual hardware MPEG encoders. OR you can Record two
TV shows at once. combine that with Snapstreams Firefly Mini
remote and you will do well in your start for a decent HTPC. with
a couple of tweaks you can even rival the Tivo units.