Recommendations for TV card, anyone?

[GHackmann 0]

I'm a college student who cannot afford the space for a dedicated TV. So, I'd like to get a TV tuner card and use that for my TV. (Quality isn't a big issue here since I don't watch much TV -- gotta have time to study!) My needs are pretty simple:

 

1. It has to work under Windows 2000 (of course).

2. It has to have a program that lets me record TV programs onto my hard drive. Better yet, it should be programmable to go off at a certain time if I'm not there (assuming my computer is on). (I can't afford a VCR either. )

3. If possible, it should get stereo sound.

 

The ATI TV Wonder looked perfect, but alas no Win2K drivers yet, and knowing ATI I'm not holding my breath for them to release them on schedule . . .

 

Any recommendations?

[SHS 0]

Problem 1: http://www.geocities.com/amethman/ & http://www.tv-cards.com/

 

Problem 2: none of TV support MPEG only AVI 320x240max Other then two of ATI Card, You will need shit load disk, Or PowerVCR 2 or even WinVCR 2, Programmable certain time WinVCR 2 dose this but I'am sure if PowerVCR 2 dose.

WinVCR 2 http://www.cinax.com/Products/winvcr.html

PowerVCR 2 http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/products/powervcr2/powervcr2.asp

Problem 3: Yes a few TV card support stereo sound

 

Recommend System Spec

Min TV Capture 176x144 300+ (Dog Show),

The Best way to TV Capture 320x240 but need real very CPU real world test at lee 600 or better at lee Intel Celeron 2, P3 or AMD Thunderbird, Duron, Athlon

 

If don't have very fast CPU I recommend All-IN-Wonder Radeon it dose it in Real Time Capture + support High Frame size & has best DVD support there is, but gameing support it not what crack up to be. http://www.ati.com/na/pages/products/pc/aiw_radeon/index.html

 

Generic will cost a round $70 or less

add VCR with it Pond Shop come real handy for this.

Why can't you afford a VCR the cost is about the same if not less.

[INFERNO2000 0]

I was in the same proverbial boat as you...and many of my floormates all have

Hauppauge WinTVs of one sort or another.

I have the GO! which is the low end one...and therefore lacks stereo...but you can get higher end ones that do have it for little more(plus you get a remote ).

 

My WinTV Go costed $40 as Best Buy...but I'm sure you can find higher end ones for cheaper at pricewatch.com

[euankirkhope 0]

I'm a student; and watching TV is my Major (well thats what those americans call it).

 

Hauppauge Wintv Model 406 works OK. Fair enough its sometimes crackly, and the full screen stretch mode doen't work ( a huppauge + TNT thing).

 

But it does have Nicam Stereo, which can then be plugged into the dolby pro-logic amp (mandadory for all students), along with the two amps, and ten unique speakers.

 

Cheap too!