To Remote or not to remote... that is the question.

Darryl Licht

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:confused: Actually this is about Tuner Cards and WMC.

Hey all you Windows Seven fans! Im looking at getting a nice tuner card for my desktop and need some advice/suggestions.


So far I am leaning toward the AVerTV Combo G2 but I also like the Hauppage WinTV-HVR-2250. I know the white box version is typically without the remote and in plain packaging, and I always love saving money. I have a few questions:
  1. If I am only going to view television on my PC via WMC do I even need a remote?
  2. What are pros and cons of remotes?
  3. If I dont get a remote, can I get one at a later date?
  4. Are their other alternative Windows 7 cards I should also be looking at?
  5. Any other software I might need or want?
Thanks to all in advance!!! ...Im an old hand at Windows/DOS but a total noob at tv tuner cards! :confused:
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signa...Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - O...4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ ReaperNvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebrew PC - "Alpha_Dawg"
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Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - OC'd to 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
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4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ Reaper
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Nvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DX
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Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD
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WD Caviar Black 750GB - 7200RPM - 32MB cache
WD Caviar Green 1.5TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
WD Caviar Green 2.0TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
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PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750
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Gigabyte 3D Aurora
Cooling
Case is Air - 5ea. 120mm fans (mix of Arctic and Xigmatec)
Keyboard
MS Natural Wireless KB
Mouse
MS Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
50 mbps down/5 mbps up
Other Info
AVerMedia - AVerTVHD G2 Dual Tuner Card
Big things have been happening with Tuner cards since around September, particularly with CableCARDs. Here's a couple good sites for more reading. The first one I learned from Antman (thanks Antman).
HDTV PC Tuner Guide
https://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2009/09.aspx

Tuner card support has really picked up in W7's WMC. For the first time, I've been able to sucessfully and easily get my ATI hybrid to program both ClearQAM and Cable Box channels.
 

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Big things have been happening with Tuner cards since around September, particularly with CableCARDs. Here's a couple good sites for more reading. The first one I learned from Antman (thanks Antman).
HDTV PC Tuner Guide
https://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2009/09.aspx

Tuner card support has really picked up in W7's WMC. For the first time, I've been able to sucessfully and easily get my ATI hybrid to program both ClearQAM and Cable Box channels.

THX! REP ON THE WAY!


  1. What are pros and cons of remotes?
  2. If I am only going to view television on my PC via WMC do I even need a remote?
  3. If I dont get a remote, can I get one at a later date?
  4. Are their other alternative Windows 7 cards I should also be looking at?
  5. Any other software I might need or want?
More ppl... more! I want opinions as well as suggestions/reccomendations!!!
This $100 newegg giftcard is burnin a hole in my pocket!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signa...Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - O...4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ ReaperNvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebrew PC - "Alpha_Dawg"
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - OC'd to 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
Memory
4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ Reaper
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DX
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
WD Caviar Black 750GB - 7200RPM - 32MB cache
WD Caviar Green 1.5TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
WD Caviar Green 2.0TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
PSU
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750
Case
Gigabyte 3D Aurora
Cooling
Case is Air - 5ea. 120mm fans (mix of Arctic and Xigmatec)
Keyboard
MS Natural Wireless KB
Mouse
MS Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
50 mbps down/5 mbps up
Other Info
AVerMedia - AVerTVHD G2 Dual Tuner Card
If I am only going to view television on my PC via WMC do I even need a remote?
What are pros and cons of remotes?
If I dont get a remote, can I get one at a later date?
Are their other alternative Windows 7 cards I should also be looking at?
Any other software I might need or want?
1. you have a keyboard and a mouse in front of you so im not sure why you'd 'need' a remote as well

2. pro: can run the machine from the couch.
con: spend too much time on the couch because you dont have to get up

3. yes.

4. hvr-2250 is a really nice card. gets my vote....

5. Probably.... <<CLICK>>

but to narrow it down <grin> I reckon have a look at MediaBrowser (dvd/movie covers) and MCEbuddy
(ad-skipping for recorded tv)
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

XP/Vista
OS
XP/Vista
If I am only going to view television on my PC via WMC do I even need a remote?
What are pros and cons of remotes?
If I dont get a remote, can I get one at a later date?
Are their other alternative Windows 7 cards I should also be looking at?
Any other software I might need or want?
1. you have a keyboard and a mouse in front of you so im not sure why you'd 'need' a remote as well

2. pro: can run the machine from the couch.
con: spend too much time on the couch because you dont have to get up

3. yes.

4. hvr-2250 is a really nice card. gets my vote....

5. Probably.... <<CLICK>>

but to narrow it down <grin> I reckon have a look at MediaBrowser (dvd/movie covers) and MCEbuddy
(ad-skipping for recorded tv)

Thanks Old fart!

MORE PLEASE!
 

My Computer My Computer

At a glance

Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signa...Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - O...4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ ReaperNvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Homebrew PC - "Alpha_Dawg"
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64 bit Steve Ballmer Signature Edition
CPU
Intel Core 2 Quad - Q9550 - 2.83GHz stock - OC'd to 3.6GHz
Motherboard
Gigabyte EP45-UD3P
Memory
4GB DDR2 800MHz (PC6400) OCZ Reaper
Graphics Card(s)
Nvidia GE Force 8800 GTS
Sound Card
Asus Xonar DX
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 2333HD
Screen Resolution
1920 x 1080
Hard Drives
WD Caviar Black 750GB - 7200RPM - 32MB cache
WD Caviar Green 1.5TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
WD Caviar Green 2.0TB - 5400RPM - 64MB cache
PSU
PC Power & Cooling Silencer 750
Case
Gigabyte 3D Aurora
Cooling
Case is Air - 5ea. 120mm fans (mix of Arctic and Xigmatec)
Keyboard
MS Natural Wireless KB
Mouse
MS Wireless Mouse
Internet Speed
50 mbps down/5 mbps up
Other Info
AVerMedia - AVerTVHD G2 Dual Tuner Card
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