What's the Best Tuner?

[deadtoaster2]

After reading countless threads and FAQ's I have decided I am going to make a Sage TV unit in the near future. I am planning on using my existing computer (1.2ghz celeron) and building a new 3ghz P4 to take over the roll of this computer. According to the system specs for Sage the 1.2ghz should be more than enough, especially with 512 megs of ram it has. I have looked over this site and the Hauppauge site at the various tuners and I am wondering what the best choice would be for a person completely new to the whole HTPC thing. I think I want to start out with one tuner, then later upgrade. However if from your experience you use more than one tuner quite often I might need two. I am not really sure. Looking at the PVR-150, PVR-250, PVR-350, and possibly the PVR-500, I am thinking the PCI tuners will have better picture vs a USB tuner, but this might be wrong. I am wanting to keep this cheap at first because I might not even like it. (I have never used a Tivo or replay, etc so I don't really know what it will be like.) But from what people on this and other sites have said about theirs I am sure to love it. Basically I want to know what you think I should get, just starting out, never used a PVR, wanting to keep it cheap, but at the same time wanting to have a good experience.

Thanks in advance.

[devnet]

To keep the cash spending low...I'd pick up a couple of PVR150's at Newegg which retail at around 70 bucks with shipping. That's much better than picking up one PVR250 or one PVR350 for the same price or more.

That way, you'll be able to watch one channel and record at the same time.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by deadtoaster2

I am thinking the PCI tuners will have better picture vs a USB tuner, but this might be wrong.

Just to let you know: The Hauppauge PVR-USB2 won't be as cheap as the current PCI cards, but there is no problem with its picture quality. It is essentially an external 250 in terms of its encoder. See this Hauppauge comparison. Also, there is plenty of bandwidth on USB2 for more than one of these devices... unless the USB2 implementation on the motherboard/add-in card isn't very good. I like the thing because it is so easy to install, since you don't even have to open up your case.

- Andy

[Jere_Jones]

I would like to point out that the 150 and 500 are not (currently) capable of recording closed captions. While CC's in and of themselves may not be that important to you, they do help greatly in the detection of commercials.

Jere

[deadtoaster2]

The only difference I am really noticing between the 150 250 and 350's are that the 350 has a FM radio, and the 350 has video out of the card. And Jere Jones said that the 250 and 350 has CC abilities. Other than that they seem almost identical from looking at that comparison chart. If I am trying to make a cheap system, I think best would be to go with the 150's because they are the cheapest. I don't really understand why they are the cheapest if they have basically the same features as the other ones. Anyone know why? So what you are saying is that I really should get at least 2 tuners? If I get the 150's on newegg I would still need to get the actual sage software, would it be cheaper to get one 150 here on this site as a package with the software and then get one on newegg? Thanks again for the quick replies.

[Stobor]

PCalchemy had some pretty good bundle deals last time I was shopping for parts. I've made a couple purchases from them with no problems definatly worth a look to see how their prices compare now days.

I think I want to start out with one tuner, then later upgrade. However if from your experience you use more than one tuner quite often I might need two. I am not really sure.

This really depends on how much TV you watch. Do you like 2 shows that are on at the same time? Having 2 is nice it solves alot of scheduling conflicts and lets you use padding on more shows but if you don't watch alot of TV it may not be a good investment. (though I suspect anyone building an HTPC probably watches enough TV to warrant more than one )

[dagar]

Originally Posted by Jere_Jones

I would like to point out that the 150 and 500 are not (currently) capable of recording closed captions. While CC's in and of themselves may not be that important to you, they do help greatly in the detection of commercials.

Jere

Apparently the PVR-USB2 isn't capable of CC either; unless you use MCE. That was what I found from digging around at SHS's site (the only positive appears questionable.)

[mdmint]

I'd highly suggest getting a PVR500 instead of PVR150. Why? They're basically the same tuner except PVR500 uses one slot for TWO tuners. Greater slot room for expansion later. You WILL most highly likely want more than one tuner. (I have six ) PVR500 currently in stock $131.95 inc shipping at Buy.com

[aperry]

Another person with 6 tuners here... Glad to see I'm not the only one without a life! I also highly recommend the PVR-500's.

[mdmint]

Originally Posted by aperry

Another person with 6 tuners here... Glad to see I'm not the only one without a life! I also highly recommend the PVR-500's.

Choices, options, flexibility and never having to say "recording conflict" is the name of the game. And makes Summer re-runs a moot point! Still watching shows from last season we recorded the entire season and saved for later...

[blade]

I'd definetly go with the 500 over the 150.

The one thing I don't like about the 150's and 500's is the lack of CC; however, commercial detection still works fairly well for me.