Mixed reviews on USB TV Tuners

[Garbuckle]

OK, here's the deal. I've searched the forum, but there is no distinct answer as to which is the best tv tuner for my Dell 9400. The Hauppauge one is probably the most compatable, as it's the one you get when you buy from Dell, right?

I have heard mixed reviews on it though. What about the Leadtek WinFast ones, or the AvertTV USB MCE?

Anyone have experience with other tuners? I have an old ATI USB TV Wonder, but needless to say, it's complete crap. I want something that works and works well, and that I will have few issues with in the future.

I should also mention that I already have the infrared module and remote for the computer, I just want a tuner.

Can anyone point me in the right direction? Is the Hauppauge the only solution?

Thanks

P.S. Yes, the slingbox looks cool, but is not a MCE supported tuner (I need the PVR functions of MCE, as well as the handy guide built-in (all controlled by the remote)

[Garbuckle]

Also, anyone seen/tried this?

"HP Express Card Analog TV Tuner for Media Center Edition"

Says it's only compatible with the HP's, though...???

http://www.shopping.hp.com/webapp/shopping/product_detail.do?product_code=EP323AA%23ABA&jumpid=reg_R1002_USEN

[aanaravs]

I have the DVICO Fusion 5 (the USB model) and can't reccomend it enough.

[Groto]

Does the Fusion 5 do hdtv and standard tv? And has good quality for both?

[suddste223]

This one is good (I have it): http://froogle.google.co.uk/froogle?q=Freecom+USB+DVB-T&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title

[Garbuckle]

The sites on the Fusion 5 say "yes", It does HDTV, etc.

It's overkill for me (don't need HDTV), plus it's not available anywhere near me (Canada blows when it comes to ordering stuff), and I prefer NOT to buy off the net...

It also appears the HP Express Card is NOT available in Canada (not on the Canada site)

errrr..... this pisses me off. I would've liked to avoid having a USB Tuner (I have too many USB devices already, and USB generally sucks...). And of course, Firewire is out of the question.

[Garbuckle]

This one is good (I have it): http://froogle.google.co.uk/froogle?q=Freecom+USB+DVB-T&hl=en&lr=&sa=X&oi=froogle&ct=title
Something like that would be handy for my trips to Berlin every year, but not a solution for here at home (no DVB here).

[suddste223]

Something like that would be handy for my trips to Berlin every year, but not a solution for here at home (no DVB here).


I have seen American/Canadian DVB-T Tuners the same as this one.

[Garbuckle]

We don't have DVB, although there is this ATSC thing. No one broadcasts in it though (yet).

Canada sucks big time for technology... always behind...

[ec4912]

I have the DVICO Fusion 5 (the USB model) and can't reccomend it enough.

+1
I use it for HDTV and love it to death. Buy it from http://www.snapstream.com and get a free HDTV antenna with it.

[CrysDark]

Will this one take in a satellite signal?

[liquorman]

If you are looking for MCE support, don't get the DVICO, it does not have hardware encoding and thus does not work with MCE on it's own.
I have the Hauppage MCE USB2 and it works great, I also have the DVICO which works because I have the other tuner. MCE requires a hardware encoding tuner, and if you have 1 it then allows other tuners that are not hardware encoded.
The PCMCIA card looks great, but doesn't work for me cause I already have my slot full with an Audigy.

[Garbuckle]

Good to know about the Fusion, thanks! When I was buying my DVD recorder, the guy also recommended the Fusion (bought his from Texas). I may have to end up getting the Hauppauge one, as everything seems to be pointing to it. I may try and see if I can get the HP card... it looks tempting.

BTW, the HP is an expresscard (one of the first, hence no idea if it'll work with my lappy, but it IS supported by MCE), 'cause I have a 9400 with Expresscard slot, and not PCMCIA.

Cheers!

P.S. The guy who recommended the Fusion said he also got 30 extra digital channels from our local Rogers cable, because they are unencrypted! :D LOL

[CStradling24]

I have the Adaptech gamebridge (the newer model, I think its the 1410) and I like it a lot. It is VERY small but the qulity is still really good. It also has no lag at all so if you want to do some gaming from a ps2 or xbox/xbox 360, you still can do that and not have the lag. You should also be able to get it at a local store like microcenter or compusa(if they have them there). I hope this is more what your looking for. I have had a lot of differnt tuners and this is my favorite.

[Garbuckle]

Thanks. That looks like another solution, as it seems to be supported in MCE. I'll add it to my list. So, here's what I've found so far with current Canadian pricing (found at Insight.ca)

ADS MiniTV USB - $80

Adaptec Gamebridge 1410 - $116

Hauppauge WINTV-USB 2 - $127

Avermedia AverTV USB 2 - $155

HP Expresscard TV Tuner - $180 (HP U.S.A. price)

[Garbuckle]

Oh, another plus of the ADS is it's even Vista ready and doesn't require an audio cable to hook to your soundcard :)

I may try to find one of these...

[kilroy M170]

Thanks. That looks like another solution, as it seems to be supported in MCE. I'll add it to my list. So, here's what I've found so far with current Canadian pricing (found at Insight.ca)

ADS MiniTV USB - $80

Adaptec Gamebridge 1410 - $116

Hauppauge WINTV-USB 2 - $127

Avermedia AverTV USB 2 - $155

HP Expresscard TV Tuner - $180 (HP U.S.A. price)


Where did you find the Hauppage one for $127.00?? Staples has it for $199.00!!

[NecessaryEvil]

Probably Newegg.

I ended up getting one of the Hauppauge's yesterday...it'll be here Friday. I hope it'll do what I need, I'm going to use my E1705 as a TV at school...

[CStradling24]

The Gamebride doesnt need any audio cable either, infact most tuners dont now.

[Garbuckle]

Where did you find the Hauppage one for $127.00?? Staples has it for $199.00!!
right here...

http://www.insight.ca/apps/productpresentation/index.php?product_id=HAUE92818

And even Dell.ca has it for $99

http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=ca&l=en&s=dhs&cs=CADHS1&sku=A0479838

Maybe you're thinking of a different version (like the "PVR" one - ah, just looked at Staples, and yes, that's the PVR version for $199, which Dell has for $159). And Staples sucks big time for prices. One of the most expensive for computer stuff...

[Garbuckle]

Just thought I'd supply an update:

I've ordered the ADS MiniTV from my local computer geek for $75 Canadian. He couldn't get the HP Expresscard or the Adaptec Dual TV/FM tuner (AVC-3610), which were my other 2 choices.

The MiniTV looks very good though. It's a new product and even compatible with Vista, for the future. The European version even accepts digital TV in addition to analog and comes with an antenna, but I doubt the Canadian one will. It's also EXTREMELY small 3.25 x 1.25 x 0.5", thereabouts. And no separate wire to the soundcard is required.

http://www.adstech.com/products/PTV-371-EF/intro/PTV-371-EF_intro.asp?pid=PTV-371-EF

[suddste223]

Just thought I'd supply an update:

I've ordered the ADS MiniTV from my local computer geek for $75 Canadian. He couldn't get the HP Expresscard or the Adaptec Dual TV/FM tuner (AVC-3610), which were my other 2 choices.

The MiniTV looks very good though. It's a new product and even compatible with Vista, for the future. The European version even accepts digital TV in addition to analog and comes with an antenna, but I doubt the Canadian one will. It's also EXTREMELY small 3.25 x 1.25 x 0.5", thereabouts. And no separate wire to the soundcard is required.

http://www.adstech.com/products/PTV-371-EF/intro/PTV-371-EF_intro.asp?pid=PTV-371-EF



very good, does it have a TV areail come with it?

[Garbuckle]

not this version. You want this one:

http://www.adstech.com/products/PTV-339-EFS/intro/PTV-339_intro.asp?pid=PTV-339-EFS

[suddste223]

not this version. You want this one:

http://www.adstech.com/products/PTV-339-EFS/intro/PTV-339_intro.asp?pid=PTV-339-EFS


ah, so your going to plug it in to the wall.:w00t: Good Luck

[CStradling24]

Get the adaptech game bridge 1410

[Garbuckle]

ah, so your going to plug it in to the wall.:w00t: Good Luck
???

Well, yes, I guess so. The USB end obviously goes in the USB port, but the cable end gets attached to my "cable" cable, which comes out the wall (i.e. analog cable). We get some 70 channels over VIP analog cable...

[and yes, you already recommended the gamebridge 1410. It was on my list, just more expensive than the ADS, although it did have the video input as well - none on the ADS]

[CStradling24]

It has the Yellow, Red, and white cables, Svideo, and it has the coax input also

[Garbuckle]

A final update on the tuner I got.

I had a problem on first install that MCE would not recognize it. I used SageTV for a while, which was slightly cumbersome. However, the tech support from ADS got back to me and sent me a new driver. MCE now detects and uses the tuner without a problem. Now that it works, I can recommend it for those who need a really small tuner for their laptop, don't need an extra video input, and don't want an extra cable going to the soundcard...

Good stuff! :)