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    tv tuner for vaio tz

    Discussion in 'VAIO / Sony' started by pck83, Aug 18, 2008.

  1. pck83

    pck83 Notebook Consultant

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    Hello,

    Does anyone here use a tv tuner with their vaio tz? If so which one would work best? I understand that tv tuners may require heavy pc power, and i wonder how the tz will handle this.

    Thanks!

    Pck
     
    pck83, Aug 18, 2008
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  2. pck83

    pck83 Notebook Consultant

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    anyone pls?
     
    pck83, Aug 20, 2008
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  3. Polter

    Polter Notebook Enthusiast

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    Hi there from Greece.
    I've also asked the same question a few months ago but got no answer. I have a Vaio VGN-TZ21XN/B which in fact is equipped with 1.2GHz CPU, 2Gb RAM, 100Gb HDD and CD-ROM.
    Well, I think an ExpressCard solution would be best, while a USB stick would be more versatile. I'm looking forward to getting hold of this http://www.e-shop.gr/search_per.phtml?category=TV TUNER&category2=EXPRESSCARD or this http://www.plaisio.gr/product.aspx?catalog=21&category=69977953&product=959987 . I've been using this USB stick http://www.hauppauge.de/de/site/products/data_hvr900.html for the time being and it has been working perfectly. The stick gets quite hot but since it's external there's no apparent problem.
    I've noticed so far that responsiveness and speed is mainly a software issue. While the software provided by Hauppauge is full of features, it ends up being a little heavy for a machine like a Vaio TZ. On the other hand if you try other TV software like ChrisTV, everything is going at the speed of light. No problem regardless the mode you are using (TV window or full screen).
    Keep in mind that all these TV cards are Hybrid and I've only tested the analog part since I've no DVB-T receprion in my area for the time being. (Sorry :)) Digital reception will be an easier task for the system since there's no A/D (Analog to Digital) conversion involved.

    regards!
     
    Polter, Aug 20, 2008
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  4. InfyMcGirk

    InfyMcGirk while(!(succeed=try()));

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    I've not used a TV tuner with a TZ, but I've used one with my old Samsung (1.6GHz Pentium M, 1GB ram) and it works OK but the software is a little clunky. I would expect a TZ with it's dual cores to handle it better. But you need a very good signal to get good reception I've found. Mine only worked plugging it in to a wall outlet for the rooftop aerial. The little portable aerial that came with it might be useful if you're sitting on top of a mountain next to a city or something. ;)
     
    InfyMcGirk, Aug 21, 2008
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