Nvidia DualTV and Hauppauge PVR-150

[sainswor99]

My TV addiction has started to grow, and I'm starting to run into recording conflicts more than I like. I'm thinking of getting an additional tuner card for my media server, and I figured I might as well get a dual tuner card. I already have a Hauppauge PVR-150, and have had no issues with it. However, I've heard good things about the nVidia DualTV; is anyone running both on their machine? Did it work OK, or should I just get a Hauppauge 550?

Thanks,
Stu

[bcjenkins]

No experience with the Nvidia card, I have 2 500s installed with no issues. Since you didn't state your input method, STB or straight RF cable feed, I would offer that the nvidia card puts all connectors on one tab whereas you need an additional bracket with the 500. The 500 will come with it, but it is not as clean.

B

[Tomahawk51]

Stu,

I am in the same boat. I asked whether or not the Dual TV played nicely if set up with 1 input as a STB, and the other as analog coax. I recall that the consensus was that this was fine.

I also have seen alot of discussion about whether Sage had officially and fully supported the calibration settings for the card. I think some people were waiting for this to happen.

By the way, it looks like it is $160 at Pcalchemy vs the $65 PVR150. Have you found better prices?

[phib@roptik]

I have no experience with the 150 but I do have the nvidia card as my sole tv tuner and the picture and recordings are fantastic through analog cable. I also bought the car directly from Nvidia for $150 with free shipping.

[sainswor99]

At nvidia.com, it's 145 without the remote. Haven't checked at PcAlchamy.

My current setup is analog only (no STB); however, I am considering adding a STB for the PVR-150, and running analog only for the second card (the PVR-500 or DualTV). Given the paucity of responses, though, I'm leaning toward getting the PVR-500; I've heard that the Hauppauge cards will play nicely together.

Stu

[phib@roptik]

Could you explain what you mena by STB? As you can see by my post count im rather new.

[sainswor99]

Sorry; I often get frustrated by jargon myself, and here I am using it.

STB = Set-Top Box. The tuner box that you use to change channels for digital cable or satellite.

[bcjenkins]

STB == Set Top Box. Used by cable or sat users to access digital channels.

[ybrew]

I've got 2 hauppauge 500s, 1 HD homerun and another hauppauge 500 on the way.

The new hauppauge 500 is to replace a bad one in my system. However I plan to return the bad one to hauppauge for replacement and will then have 6 SD tuners and 2 HD tuners.

I'm hoping conflicts are a thing of the past.

[Tomahawk51]

Other than the subjectivity of quality, and perhaps reliability with Sage, what are the advantages of the Dual TV over the PVR500 or vice versa?

One I see is that the DualTV doesn't require a bay to breakout for inputs.

[IncredibleHat]

DualTV is nvidia... 'nuff said? Heh.

I hear it has awesome video quality and encoding. Doesnt require two brackets, is overall better than other 'dual' tuner type cards.

I dont have one, as I am still waiting on Sage's official word on building in color/b/c calibration controls that ~stick~ after you set them.

[flavius]

Just a few days ago I put one of those DualTV's in. I'm pleased

[sainswor99]

And from your sig line it looks like your running it with a Hauppauge 250; is that correct? Any issues?

[flavius]

None. Installation took five minutes.

[gplasky]

I'm running 2 x nVidia DualTVs. You can do that with the latest beta drivers. Before that I had 1 x nVidia DualTV with 1 x PVR500 and 1 x PVR250. Then I had it with 2 x PVR500. Was glad they finally released the beta drivers so I could run 2 x DualTVs. Quality is much better than any of the PVRs and I never had any color issues so calibration not working for awhile didn't matter. Color calibration now works for them.

Gerry

[LehighBri]

I have a nvidia DualTV and haven't explored calibration.

How do I get to the calibration options for DualTV in Sage? Or do I calibrate it outside of Sage in Windows?

Thanks!

[flavius]

For Sage:there's a menue item when you configure the sources.

[IncredibleHat]

For Sage:there's a menue item when you configure the sources.

This is the part that does not work for the nvidia DualTV. This is the part where Sage developers need to get it working to acurately save the calibrated settings. Someone mentioned a beta patch of this, but no official word yet on support.

[LehighBri]

Originally Posted by IncredibleHat

This is the part that does not work for the nvidia DualTV. This is the part where Sage developers need to get it working to acurately save the calibrated settings. Someone mentioned a beta patch of this, but no official word yet on support.

When you say does not work, what do you mean? What exactly is not working? I'm curious as I plan to try the calibration tonight and want to know what to look for if there are issues.

[IncredibleHat]

What doesnt work, is that it doesnt 'stick'. You may have a card that reads in too dark... so you adjust the brightness, and it looks good in the calibration setup screen, but when you leave to go record a new show... it reverts back. Thus, not sticking on the settings.

Its simply not saving the settings where the nvidia driver uses them or something. Someone mentioned wrong registry or something.

Thats the only thing 'broken' really... just doesnt save calibration settings.

Some said there is a trick to get them sticking IF you have MCE also installed.. but gah, who would want that headache of conflicting PVR software?