Need some advice on a TV Tuner.

Greetings!

First of all I'd like to apologize if this in not the proper sub-forum for this request but it seemed appropriate.

I am currently the proud owner of the recently discontinued Sager NP2096 and am also in my first year at college. I watch very little TV but have a couple shows I follow rather zealously and would like to guarantee that I can watch them weekly and record as needed. I've done some preliminary research and came up with the following 2 tuners that seemed ideal for my purposes.

AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid Volar Max MTVHBVMXR USB 2.0 Interface
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100035

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q TV Tuner Stick/Hybrid Video Recorder with Remote Control 1191 USB 2.0 Interface
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116034

I seek the guidance of the esteemed NotebookReview community in this dilemma, although the majority of the numerous reviews for both devices are excellent the negative ones by at least seemingly knowledgeable people worry me greatly. Any help would be appreciated, whether supporting one of the devices I already have found or suggesting another altogether.

My only foible is that I would like it to be less than $100.

Sincerest thanks,
chaseboy04

 

Do you have an express card slot?

I recently bought for my mom's laptop an AVerMedia TV tuner that goes in the expresscard http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100036 and what's good is that it doesnt stick out AT ALL. That way she can always leave it in there.
Also one thing you should consider is the software that comes with it. When I installed it in my mom's laptop, at first it scanned all the possible channels seamlessly.
However, there was no remote control, I don't know if that's important for you.

 

if you search for my posts here, you should see some info(i've answered multiple posts on tv tuners)...

my recommendations are the Volar Max and 950Q

believe Amazon has the Volar MAx( non hybrid, only ATSC and QAM no NTSC) for under $50

i'm assuming you are watching Over-The-Air channels...

go to http://antennaweb.org to see if you get such channels.... i would say <5-10miles work for the included small antenna, need a bigger one for something further away(i highly recommend the Terk HDTVa indoor antenna for ~$30 if you do wish to up the size)

 

Thanks for the help, I think I'll go with the Volar Max. I'll post in a few weeks and give you my thoughts.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=327241

my review if you want?