I used to have an All-in-Wonder Pro 8600, but never really used all its features so I'm thinking about downgrading to something a little less impressive (well... I consider it to be a pretty cool video card to have when I still used it).
Has anyone tried using the Sabrent TV Tuner with Windows 7? It's only $20 at CompUSA and seems to be a decent alternative to the more expensive tuners if it works.
Sabrent Sabrent TV TunerCapture TV-PCIRC
If it works is the key...
I purchased one about two years ago. As a stand alone tuner, the software was horrible and the picture even from cable was like trying to tune with a coathanger. And I spent more time rebooting from crashes than I ever did watching TV. It didn't compare with my (at the time)All in Wonder 32mb AGP card (which still works in an old xp machine I have). I had searched the web over for alternative software for the Philips 713x tuner, but there was nothing decent to be had.
Secondly, It's NTSC = analog, so after next friday it will only work with satellite or cable.
Third, it's audio is mono
But above all of that, I doubt there will ever be windows 7 drivers for such a piece.
I am using a Pinnacle PCI tuner from Comp which was about $80. It worked so well for me when I was on Cable, both as a standalone and in the 7Beta that I picked up another one for $40 when circuit city went under. I am on an indoor antenna now and pulling 37 digital channels (sub channels included), recordings are clear... good tuner.
I recommend springing the few extra dollars on any decent ATSC tuner that will truly be plug n play in seven and save the headaches...
Well, I decided to get it. I figured it wasn't too terribly expensive and the loss wouldn't be too great in the long run especially for the intended purpose. I must admit it's pretty bad quality, but I'm not too bothered by it. I get the independent software to work, but MCE doesn't seem to like it. It seems to have too low a bit rate for Microsoft's TV Tuning software to pick it up.
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