What USB TV Tuner??

Hey guys,
Recently I've set my eyes on getting a TV tuner. I wanna get rid of my fat CRT tv currently in my room .
I've got about £65, ~ $130 and offcourse, would prefer cheapest possible. I won't being using my house external aerial and therefore want a good portable aerial to be included with the tuner .
I've been looking into Hauppage, Pinnacle and Freecom but am so confused about what to get . Btw, I'm not really bothered if the tuner is hybrid, but want atleast digital.

Thanks!, Jam.

 

Well I have the AVerMedia AVerTV DVB-T Volar USB2.0 Pen Drive TV Tuner. Its can get hot in use but its made from some very sturdy plastics. The aerial that came with it is pretty strong I picked up almost all the digital channels from my room, through several walls. Its not hybrid digital television and radio only. I paid about AUD $67. Remember that usb tuners are not the best but the avermedia one is pretty good for me.

 

Thanks for the suggestion scopein.
Any other ideas people. Tbh, I'm leading towards Hauppage currently since it has support for MC.

 

http://www.notebooks.com/2006/10/24/hdtv-for-notebooks/

http://www.pcper.com/article.php?aid=373

One to look at. ATI also makes one I belive.

 

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/123327

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/125744

http://www.ebuyer.com/product/94486 I had this one very good..
Note if you get TV tuner lock up while viewing or random signal drop outs theres a patch on mircosoft site...(I Try and look it up for you later) which corrects this issues..

edit:
Here you go http://support.microsoft.com/kb/896626
Windows XP TV tuner program stops responding or displays corrupted video

 

I ordered this one due to its compact size:
http://tven.terratec.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=239
63.90e

 

That seems to have decent reviews but can't seem to find it in the UK.

I'm not too keen on ebuyer own stuff but that I have been looking at that Freecom one. Seems to have good reviews for features for price. However, I am willing to spend more than that to get an even better usb tuner.

Yeh, this seems to be one the best tv tuners on the market currently. Feature packed and decent reception too. The only thing is that it's a bit too expensive. Its about £65 in the UK.


Btw, I've been looking at these usb tuners - Hauppauge WinTv-NOVA-TD and Hauppauge WinTv-HVR-900 Been looking at these as they've got good reviews for reception, which is probably the most important thing I'm looking for. Anyone had any experience with Hauppauge Tv tuners?

Thanks Jam.

 

Sos for the double post mods but,
I'm thinking of getting a cheap usb tuner, such as the Freecom DVB-T and buying another better antenna such as this or this.

What do you think, should I get the Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-TD which uses two aerials or the Freecom DVB-T with a better single antenna?

 

You may not need the antenna depending on where you live in the UK. If it's a major city you will probably be able to pick up everything with the packaged antenna.

 

Hmmm, maybe. I don't live in London but still in relatively large city.
But still, what am I better off with. A single good antenna, or two 'ok' antenna's?

Thanks,
Jam.

 

Single good antenna.

If I were you I would try it with the included antenna before I spend more money. If that doesn't work this one is supposed to be okay.

http://reviews.cnet.com/a-v-antennas/silver-sensor-digital-hdtv/4505-6509_7-30471331.html

http://www.solidsignal.com/prod_dis...meth=directg&gclid=CJa2uM-s9I8CFQGzGgodiHjtlQ

Here is a review site:

http://www.hdtvantennalabs.com/hdtv-antenna-reviews.php

You live in a city so you should pick up all local channels from these indoor antenna unless you are in some kind of signal dead zone.

 

I get what your saying, but the Freecom antenna is supposed to be very rubbish according the numerous user reviews I've read. Other than that, the Freecom is decent tuner.

 

http://www.notebookreview.com/default.asp?newsID=4142

New OnAir GT review just popped up.

 

Thanks for your help guys but I had to rush into a decision and have opted for the Hauppauge WinTv-NOVA-TD . It just seemed the best package to me - Officially MC compatible, uses twin aerial (Diversity Technology), Dual Tuner and a remote control .

If I've got chance, I may write a review on it when I recieve the Tv Tuner.

Thanks,
Jam.

 

Terratec Cinergy T USB XS so far:
At first i couldnt get any channels out from it with its own small antenna. So i plugged it to rooftop antenna and i had all channels on my laptop, just like that. Scan it self lasted 3-5 minutes.
After that i moved my laptop from livingroom to its "normal desk" that i use and plugged it to its own antenna again. Ofcourse i didnt get any signals but after annother 5minutes or so i managet to get it in right position. Now its taped to my window 1,5m from floor on seccond floor. Signal that im gettin appears strong and im not seeing any lag on it. Ofcourse it could be sharper but i couldnt expect more from such a small device.

Overall: Money well spend.
63.90e in Finland


... I think i still might get extra antenna with amplifier on it, since this antenna can just do its job.

 

I had a look at the Terratec its a whopping £65 - £70 in the UK . I should be getting my hauppauge soon and hopefully the dual aerial should do the job for me. I'll report back when I get it!!

 

I just installed the ATI Tv wonder 600 from AMD, great features and the build quality is exceptional. Under $100us. AMD has a large line of tuners. http://www.hothardware.com/printarticle.aspx?articleid=995

 

Hi friend,
How is your TV tuner?
I going to buy one, so I need your feedback.

Also other, please advise the USB tv tuner c/w FM reception.

 

i just bought a AverMedia Volar Max -> ClearQAM, FM, Closed Caption, believe it has teletext too

i have used Pinnacle PCTV Pro and PCTV Ultimate

just to say, i think AverMedia beats Pinnacle in all aspects, except maybe one area (that is Pinnacle includes a remote with both pro and ultimate, but AverMedia doesnt... but my dell comes with a remote)

if u want more info, post... i'll probably do a review of the Volar Max next month if im not busy

quick and dirty FAQ:
antenna that comes with Volar Max has a suction cup or a clip.
antenan that comes with Pinnacle has a magnet (sigh, right?.... magnets+ laptop HDD = bad)
Volar max - x64 supported, all drivers working on Vista Media Cener
Pinnacle - beta clearqam/x64 supported.. doesnt work well on vista media center

 

Guys guys guys...when a thread is much more than a year old, please create a new one.