TV Card in PC - Is this what I need?

[GoLowDrew]

I want to watch TV on my PC and surf the next at the same time. I have cable TV.This is what I need, correct?http://www.amazon.com/ATI-Wond...onics"Watch TV on your PC monitor while you work in other applications or surf the net using ThruView."1). If it works like a PIP, would you have an idea how big the TV screen is? "TV Wonder 200 PCI lets you watch, play, pause or record programs at will. Save your favorite shows to your hard drive, burn to DVD."2). So it will work like a VCR where I can record TV shows, while I'm away. Like TIVO?Is the hardware enough, do you recommend another?

[silvrhawk7]

It should be, however that depends on how powerful your video card in your PC is.For the recording, it should work like a TIVO. What is the capacity of your hard drive???

[vibe-04]

Don't bother with an internal PCI card. Get an external TV tuner card that used a USB 2.0 connection so you can use it elsewhere. You'll need good hardware (fast CPU/big drive) and a good video card. The bigger the better. Great fun. digitize shows and home VCR movies to your hard drive and then DVD.Fun.

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by silvrhawk7 »It should be, however that depends on how powerful your video card in your PC is.For the recording, it should work like a TIVO. What is the capacity of your hard drive???I'm at work now, but the video card is ATI Reddeon (sp) and I have plenty of space on my HD. 60G I think. The PC is less than 1 years old.

[GoLowDrew]

Quote, originally posted by vibe-04 »Don't bother with an internal PCI card. Get an external TV tuner card that used a USB 2.0 connection so you can use it elsewhere. Wouldn't that be slower? Because PCI is "on the board" directly where as USB is "on the outside"?Sorry for my lack of computer terms.

[AKLGT]

there is a tad bit of a delay w/ mine, but i have the hauppage external usb tv tuner for windows media center. works like a charm.

[WaveAction]

i'd also like to use this stuff..i tried hooking up my satelite reciever into my video card using s-video...but for some reason the connecter just wouldnt connect..it was weird..i got an ati radeon x700 pro..256mb

[harryyiii]

I have three pcs with tv cards. One is a cheap generic PCI card. The ATI card is a better version of that. One is an ATI All-In-Wonder card which combines a video card with a tv tuner. My son has a USB 2.0 tuner. All work well. The PCI card type is the cheapest. The USB tuner is easy to change from one computer to another, and also works with a laptop. I like the All in Wonder card the best, although it is the most expensive.

[ColonelPanic]

I've got a cheap $40 PCI TV/FM tuner card with remote that I bought at the local mom and pop computer store. I chose this specific unit over others since I knew it would work in Linux with minimal hassle. It works quite alright, the picture is a bit snowy but then again I have an antnennar sittin' on top of the monitor. I never watch TV anymore though so it doesn't get a whole lotta use.

[Jahntassa]

USB is nice because it's portable. However most USB tuners put a lot more emphasis on CPU use than PCI tuners. So if you don't want to sacrifice your CPU cycles, stick with PCI.