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    I need help with TV tuners

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by flipfire, Jan 12, 2009.

  1. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Im willing to use one my external monitor as a tv. The last time i bought a TV tuner was like 5 years ago and the quality wasnt that great. Todays quality of tv tuners is apparently good enough to replace my TV.

    Heres what i was looking for:
    -Budget is under $100,
    -USB or Expresscard 34/54 interface
    -Works with Vista Media Center or has a good viewer
    -Compatible with Vista x64
    -Supports high resolutions (digital? hdtv?)

    I only have a medium sized antenna in my room. The big antenna on my house roof doesnt have an outlet in my room :/

    I have been recommended these two:
    http://www.digitalnow.com.au/product_pages/TinyTwin.html

    http://www.legitreviews.com/article/791/1/

    DigitalNow is apparently one of the best, but its above my price range. Any thoughts?
     
    flipfire, Jan 12, 2009
    #1
  2. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    AverMedia Volar Max

    using it right now on Vista Home Premium x64 in Vista Media Center using OTA antenna...

    no remote included, but u can find it <$70...

    though where ar eyou? USA or Australia?

    Max has clearQAM... they also have a (cheaper) Volar option without ClearQAM, but i dunno whether it works x64 or VMC
     
    paper_wastage, Jan 13, 2009
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  3. flipfire

    flipfire Moderately Boss

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    Australia.. i dont think its available here. I read your review before, its great. When i googled Volar Max, apparently its a US thing only. I can only get the other volar models here in Aust.
     
    flipfire, Jan 13, 2009
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  4. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    I guess u should be looking at PAL/DVB-T tuners...

    no help from me since i was looking for ATSC tuners
     
    paper_wastage, Jan 13, 2009
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  5. cumbaya19

    cumbaya19 Notebook Evangelist

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    im in the USA. So if I don't have an outside/inside antenna, but my neighbors do, is there anything i should buy to watch/record live HDtv?
     
    cumbaya19, Jan 13, 2009
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  6. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    either you subscribe to cable, or get an outside/inside antenna

    inside antenna:
    id recommend Terk HDTVa (amplified... its about $30-$40, works up to 40 miles)
    or DB2 antenna

    outdoor, cant tell u since i havent done research on them, but u get better range
     
    paper_wastage, Jan 14, 2009
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  7. Colton

    Colton Also Proudly American

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    Is there any way you can record Cable/DirecTV onto your computer without hooking up the cable line to your TV Tuner?
     
    Colton, Jan 14, 2009
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  8. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    a) hooking the settop coax cable to your TV Tuner
    b) get a TiVo and you know... stream over to the computer somehow
    c) any outputs on your settop box? firewire, usb, s video, RCA?...... hook those inputs up to your recording device(eg TV Tuner)
    d) [lame method] get a TV and settop box, turn on tv and use a webcam to record the images on the screen? :p
     
    paper_wastage, Jan 15, 2009
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