TV card help

[Moorron]

Evening guys, not sure if this thread goes here or in the Home entertainment one so please move if not.

Im after a digital TV card for my Windows 7 PC. But i have no idea which one off the website would do. If i can tell you what i want and then someone can possibly point me to the right one?

I want to be able to watch TV with the added HD channels on my pc, with minimal software installation that a 'normal' ariel can be used (Digital one). I think i can use windows 7 media centre for it so may only need to install the drivers and then go for it.

Im not too bothered if its USB or PCI but whatever is the cheapest option but im leaning towards a pci version for a neater install.

I can see a few by Compro but im having troubles seeing what the difference is between them all, but i feel im only after the most basic one of the lot.

Any advice most welcome.

Cheers
Andy

 

[Cleeecooo]

Yes, it is in the wrong part of the forum (IMO)
I always get Hauppage Pcie.
That's as much as i know but take a look at Hauppage's site

 

[^Andy^]

Evening guys, not sure if this thread goes here or in the Home entertainment one so please move if not.

Im after a digital TV card for my Windows 7 PC. But i have no idea which one off the website would do. If i can tell you what i want and then someone can possibly point me to the right one?

I want to be able to watch TV with the added HD channels on my pc, with minimal software installation that a 'normal' ariel can be used (Digital one). I think i can use windows 7 media centre for it so may only need to install the drivers and then go for it.

Im not too bothered if its USB or PCI but whatever is the cheapest option but im leaning towards a pci version for a neater install.

I can see a few by Compro but im having troubles seeing what the difference is between them all, but i feel im only after the most basic one of the lot.

Any advice most welcome.

Cheers
Andy

If you want HD and pcie google the blackgold cards - be aware though that windows 7 media center will not show the guide listings for DVB-T2 (freeview HD) channels at the moment (Works fine for DVB-S2 cards though - satellite)

 

[413x]

I had an asus single went for a compro double tuner and in the end had to revert back to the asus as the compro was terrible,

Both pci e 1x and both dvb-t

The asus is fab

 

[Drum2]

Blackgold BGT3620

PCTV nanoStick T2 290e

 

[^Andy^]

Blackgold BGT3620

PCTV nanoStick T2 290e

I can vouch for the bgt3620, I have one and its an awesome (and tiny) card.

 

[Tealc]

I have the 290e which is the USB one and it works in Windows Media Centre. It also comes with it's own software if you need it. It can be purchased for £60 where the BGT dual tuner comes in at £116 when you add the high delivery and VAT cost.

You can set WMC to use the listings from BBC1 and ITV1 for the HD channels, at least until the listings are fixed.

I would have preferred the elegance of a PCI-E solution but for my needs £60 is an easier pill to swallow. Whichever you choose it'll still work out cheaper than a recording freeview HD box.

 

[Vertigo]

If you want HD then your only choices are Freesat (DVB-S) or Freeview HD (DVB-T2).

The former will obviously require a dish, which it sounds like you don't have and would thus need to install, but the cards are cheap and can be had new for under £25.

The latter is obviously easier if you already have a good aerial installed but make sure your transmitter is actually broadcasting the HD channels first. As mentioned above, about the only option for DVB-T2 right now is the BGT3620 card but it ain't cheap at over £100. I personally use a combination of both Freeview & Freesat which works well for me.

As for the guide listings ^Andy^ mentioned, this isn't a problem at all as BBC1HD, ITV1HD & CH4HD are all simulcast channels so you can just configure Media Center to use the listings from the non-HD equivalent channels. The only dedicated HD channel with its own schedule is BBCHD and Media Center will provide listings for this.