Supported non-tuner encoders???

[briands]

To improve my server's storage system, I need to add a PCI SATA adapter. This will require opening up a PCI slot. I was leaning toward replacing my existing 150 and 250 with a second 500 card, but since I am using dish now, I do not use the tuners at all on any of the SD cards. Are there any non-tuner multiple input cards? Are there any multi input USB devices? Do any of the USB capture devices (not tuners) actually include hardware encoders?

Just trying to find the best option.

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by briands

Are there any non-tuner multiple input cards?

None that I'm aware of.

Are there any multi input USB devices?

None that I'm aware of.

Do any of the USB capture devices (not tuners) actually include hardware encoders?

A Plextor ConvertX M402U I think has a hardware encoder. But before you get all excited, reviews of the MPEG-4 encoding have not been great.

Just trying to find the best option.

From everything I've heard, this is probably your best option:
http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...cardstv-tuners

[briands]

Thanks Stanger... these results are in line with what I found yesterday.

One last question before I pull the trigger on the DualTV. There seemed to be some compatibilty issues with this card and other capture cards. I will be installing it with an Hauppauge 500 and an ATSC 110. Anyone know of issues?

edited to correct ATSC tuner...

[stanger89]

I think PC Alchemy listed the A180 as having compability problems. Don't know for sure, I don't have one (DualTV), it's just what I'd probably get if I were buying today.

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by briands

Thanks Stanger... these results are in line with what I found yesterday.

One last question before I pull the trigger on the DualTV. There seemed to be some compatibilty issues with this card and other capture cards. I will be installing it with an Hauppauge 500 and an A180. Anyone know of issues?

I had the DualTV running with two PVR500 and a PVR250. No issues.

Gerry

[briands]

Originally Posted by gplasky

I had the DualTV running with two PVR500 and a PVR250. No issues.

Gerry

Thanks, based on your experience, I'll go ahead then... so the pressure is on YOU!!!

[IncredibleHat]

I was under the impression that the PVR500 could record from two sources, as it has headers for secondary composite or svideo inputs...

Why on earth could you NOT record two signals from two sat boxes with the PVR500?

That nvidia DualTV card basically looks just like (and acts like) the PVR500... although it might be better, as its nvidia. Although I laughed my ASS off when I read this:

Install and Use Within Minutes: Watch and record TV in no time with the easy-to-install, rock-solid NVIDIA ® ForceWare ® drivers. The “Designed for Windows Media Center Edition” certification ensures that DualTV meets the standards for Window’s compatibility.

Rock solid... LOL! HAHAHHAHAH omg yeah right.

[briands]

Originally Posted by IncredibleHat

I was under the impression that the PVR500 could record from two sources, as it has headers for secondary composite or svideo inputs...

Why on earth could you NOT record two signals from two sat boxes with the PVR500?

That nvidia DualTV card basically looks just like (and acts like) the PVR500... although it might be better, as its nvidia. Although I laughed my ASS off when I read this:

Install and Use Within Minutes: Watch and record TV in no time with the easy-to-install, rock-solid NVIDIA ® ForceWare ® drivers. The “Designed for Windows Media Center Edition” certification ensures that DualTV meets the standards for Window’s compatibility.

Rock solid... LOL! HAHAHHAHAH omg yeah right.

Sorry, I think you misunderstood my config... I have 4 sat boxes to record from ... currently using (1) 150, (1) 250 and (1)500 card. New SATA card will take up one slot so I need another dual tuner card to replace the 150 and 250.

BTW, the additional Svid/audio input are a PC board on a slot bracket so I will need to modify the case to squeeze it in above the slots anyway. The nVidia has both sets on the cards bracket by using mini audio connectors.

[IncredibleHat]

Ahhhh.... ok. Yeah, I overlooked that, sorry.

Yeah, I think the nvidia will 'play nicely' with the PVR500, as they only mentioned those other brands. Then again, the htpc store has been wrong before

Sorry, I contributed no help to this topic! LOL!!!

[gplasky]

Originally Posted by briands

Thanks, based on your experience, I'll go ahead then... so the pressure is on YOU!!!

Hit me with your best shot.

I had the DualTV with 1-PVR500 and 2-PVR250, 2-PVR500 and 1-PVR250. I did juggle a couple of the crds once but had them all working in all of those configurations. The only thing I'm upset with is I have 2 x DualTV cards and nVidia has done NOTHING to update the drivers so I can run both of them in the PC.

Gerry