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    M1330 - TV Card??

    Discussion in 'Dell XPS and Studio XPS' started by ifti, Apr 2, 2008.

  1. ifti

    ifti Undiscovered

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    Hi.
    Im looking to get a M1330 soon - probably a max spec, just as a portable machine, since my M1730 is my desktop replacement and isnt exactly very portable for general, round the house use!

    I was just looking through the specs, and notice the following....

    AVerMedia AVerTV Hybrid NanoExpress DVB-T TV Tuner

    What exactly does it do?? I gather you can watch digital TV through it, and record programs etc, but how do you get a signal, since I dont see an external ariel port on the laptop etc??

    Has anyone else got this part and know what it does in a bit more detail??

    Thanks
     
    ifti, Apr 2, 2008
    #1
  2. Khris

    Khris Yes I am better than you!

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    Khris, Apr 2, 2008
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  3. DOHXPSFan

    DOHXPSFan Notebook Geek

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    yes it is thats for sure!
     
    DOHXPSFan, Apr 2, 2008
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  4. atbnet

    atbnet Notebook Prophet

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    You hook it up to your cable service.
     
    atbnet, Apr 2, 2008
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  5. ifti

    ifti Undiscovered

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    How?? Do you get the cables to connect it up?
    Which cables do you get?
     
    ifti, Apr 3, 2008
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  6. Khris

    Khris Yes I am better than you!

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    Khris, Apr 3, 2008
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  7. sclui56

    sclui56 Notebook Geek

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    The card you mentioned is only available when you configure the system (for now), it is not available in retail channel but someone was able to buy one from Dell Parts. It seems to be a nice card by all account.

    I ended up buying the previous version of the Avermedia card (HC-80) but had to return that due to faulty remote. Then I saw these HP Expresscard made by Hauppauge (identical to Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1500) being sold on eBay for around $60, bought one from this seller:

    http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120242051906&ih=002&category=3761&ssPageName=STORE:pROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST

    Got it yesterday & loaded up the Hauppauge software http://hauppauge.lightpath.net/software/install_cd/cd_4.1a.zip

    So far everything works well, the package comes with 2 remotes, one similar to the ExpressCard style one from Dell but is using different IR codes, so essentially useless on a Dell, then it also comes with a full size HP Media Center remote + USB IR receiver that can be used separately.

    So if you use the Hauppauge's WinTV stand alone application, you would need to use the mouse to navigate, but if you watch TV within Media Center, then the Dell remote works as expected.

    Just a cheaper alternative.
     
    sclui56, Apr 3, 2008
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  8. Sparky 1720

    Sparky 1720 Notebook Consultant

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    The answer to your HOW question is that there is an external plug that you connet a mini adapter to and the other end is a standard coax cable screw on or slip on type connector for your home coax cable connector.

    A word of warning, the cards get quite warm and if your xpress slot is anything like mine, under the palm rest, one hand will get hotter if you are typing due to the heat transferred from the card.

    Further, if you use sattellite service then your average cards will do you little good. I have seen some that claim they can tune in sat. service on ebay but I have not investigated those at all.

    Some also come with an antenna for receiving digital signal OTA.

    Also, assuming your computer only has an express 54 slot and no pcmcia or express 34 then make sure you get the correct card type.

    The HP cards that say digital/analog need to have a model number that ends in -002 to be the rebranded hauppage cards. This is significant because they house an ATSC tuner that works with digital cable.

    None of this will do a thing about encrypted digital channels but you can watch all the free ones (unencrypted) you want :)

    I am seriously considering external resources that can still be controlled by media center because of the heat issue. I don't want to add wear/tear because of a card.
     
    Sparky 1720, Apr 3, 2008
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  9. Raziel66

    Raziel66 The Reaver

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    That item says "DVB-TV". The link posted by Khris does not say that. Correct me if I am wrong, but DVB usually stands for Digital Video Broadcast, which would mean that there is a little antenna on the card. You pick up broadcasted tv on the go, not through your cable service. The only input on the card is for an antenna.

    Product Page:
    http://www.avermedia.com/AVerTV/UK/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=15
     
    Raziel66, Apr 3, 2008
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  10. Sparky 1720

    Sparky 1720 Notebook Consultant

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    Raziel66,

    Unfortunately the manual tab at the top of that page doesnt work. We can't get a better look or more info. This tells me though that its going to be more than a little antenna on the card:

    AVerTV DVB-T Express with supplied antenna is your perfect travel mate

    With supplied antenna means to me its going to be what I have seen elsewhere. A telescoping single pole possibly di-pole antenna.

    This is the part I was referring to earlier listed under package contents:
    RF Cable

    That will connect to a tiny hole on the end of the card and connet to your antenna or cable.
     
    Sparky 1720, Apr 3, 2008
    #10