HP dv9235nr TV Tuner

I saw an hp notebook at bestbuy.com ( http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8223282&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050028&id=1166840116155) and saw that it has an internal tv tuner. I have a couple of questions about this. First of all, would I be better off with an external expresscard tuner (for example, how would my signal be since it is internal)? Also, is there any way I would be able to watch cable tv on it? I went to HP's website and it doesn't look like it has a coaxial port. Finally, which is better overall: internal, usb external, or the expresscard external?

Thanks.

 

I bought a 9035nr from Best Buy before Vista was released and it has the exact same specs as yours. Could it be that when they added Vista they added 200 to the model?

Anyway, the tuner that came with mine is an ExpressCard tuner. I can't seem to remember if mine has a coax input, because I haven't used it yet. Here's the link to an HP site selling the tuner. It says the tuner comes with a 6' coax cable, so I'm assuming it works with coax. The ExpressCard connects to a box, which must be where you plug the stuff in. I'll take a look tonight and if someone doesn't beat me to it, I'll give you a better description of what it has.

 

I went with a USB external HDTV tuner by AutumnWave that I've been very happy with. They have 32-bit Vista support done. Once you've seen HDTV there's no going back to analog.

 

Ditto with Brian...I too purchased the OnAir GT from AutmnWave.

I have been quite happy with it but haven't seen what it can do in Vista yet.

--Mick

 

I could be wrong, but I doubt that the tuner is "built in". Maybe it is, since its for another country. Since I've been looking into HP notebooks, I have yet to see one with a built-in tuner. Maybe Best Buy's web site got it wrong. (They have been known to do so in the past). I remember reading somewhere that HP does not like building tuners into their systems because not doing so, gives its customers upgrade options for the future. It's probably an expresscard Tuner.

Like I said, I could be wrong about this. Try reading the manual by following this Link, or calling HP.

 

i also have the 9235nr, the TV tuner is a card, it is not build into the laptop itself, so you can take it out and put something else in there if you want. the card itself is to small for a coaxal input, but it comes with a few nifty adaptors.
One of the adaptors has an input for a coaxal cable, another adaptor has a svideo+sound input. The card also comes with a external antenna, which so far hasn't picked up anything for me but I am sure it is just because of my location. Also, it comes with a larger remote than what the small one hp includes. It is somewhat similar in size to a TV sized remote and has enough buttons on it to get the job done (also has windows media center controls). Also witht he tuner is an external inferared reciever adaptor, and what apears to be a cable for a music player that transmits data (sound I assume) back to the reciever with a little infrared light at the end of the cable. I haven't messed with this so I can't be certain.
As far as which is better, I have a ATI Wonder USB 2.0 on my home computer, and they both seem pretty similar. I had some latency issues using USB 2.0 with Svideo input that the card tuner wouldn't have. Be warned though, TV tuners get very hot, and fast.

On a sidenote, even without the card in it this laptop runs hot. Mine on balanced runs at 50c, and goes up to 60 under decent workload, and 70-75c when playing a game, so I wouldn't exactly buy one if you don't plan on using it on a desk or table.

 

Thanks for answering my questions and the extra input.

 

Hope you are not going to be disapointed but it was a mistake that actually the editor at best buy have yet remarked, I bought the same HP that your talking about with Vista Home Premium, and trust me there is no built-in tv tuner in there. All i had a chance to get was an expresscard, the only thing built-in was the wireless connection, but it is of course to 2007 and i dont know anyone who would actually buy a laptop without a built-in wireless card. So, i called them already about this because the site is getting people very excited about the merchandise and then overwhelmed once they figured that there is no built-in TV Tuner. If you really need a built in one, I know acer has something like that out there. so you might as well check acer entertainment laptop, you might get lucky and find a better deal than I did. $1600s after taxes and i had to return twice because of camera problem. with acer u will definitely get a better graphic card. ATI Radeon 512MB NOT BAD WHEN U DONT HAVE TO SHARE YOUR RAM.

 

a little off topic, but pertains to this model laptop. I had read that there is an option to enhance color vibrance on nvidia geforce 7600 notebookes. but under the nvidia control panel the only options I have in the advanced settings menu are:
-3d Settings
--Appearence
---Adjust image settings with preview
---Manage 3d Settings
-Display
--Appearence
---Rotate Display
--Multiple Displays
---Change Display Configuration (only has option for picking which monitor to use).

Unless I am completely blind or it isn't in the xp drivers yet, I can;t find any actual display options

 

It probably is in the appearance section. What you're talking about is Digital Vibrance Control (DVC). I am not sure why it would not be in any of the options, its been a feature in Geforce video cards both for desktops and laptops since the geforce FX... and even probably further back than that.

 

The only options I have under advanced view

 

hmm it may be because you're using the vista drivers. /shrug

 

I was also shopping for an HP laptop and thinking about the optional express card TV tuner. Or if im better off getting something like this http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV+Tuners/PCTV+Analog_Digital+PVR/PCTV+HD+Pro+Stick.htm
Do Expresscards have any advantage over USB? Does the HP tuner come with an antenna just like the Pinnacle one?

 

Yeah. The esxpresscard tuner comes with an antenna and an composite (red, yellow and white) adapter cable. It also comes with a coaxial adapter. Should be everything you need to get going.