TV cards for the PC, what to look for?

[sastusbulbas]

Hi,

As I am revisiting HTPC's and as my son has no TV in his room just a PC, I am considering a TV card or two, but have no idea where to start?

Any tips or pointers?

 

[Mujja]

Freeview (DVB-T) or Freesat (DVB-S)

If you want HD then look for T2 or S2.

You can pick up cards with single, dual or quad tuners. All freeview/freesat or a combination of both. The HD ones will be more expensive but prices are coming down.

Look for TBS cards, Blackgold seem to be too unreliable.

I use Windows Media Centre which is easy to setup and easy enough for the kids to use, even the wife can just about find her recordings of Eastenders

WMC is free with Win7 but is an addon for Win8. You'll need to add in the cost of a remote and IR receiver.

I would got with Freeview because you don't need and LNB for each tuner and the four main channels are available in HD.