Question about USB?

[freewheeling]

I'm using an HD-PVR with SageTV and an extender, and figure the weak link is probably the USB (it's currently on the motherboard's native USB). I've heard that placing it on its own USB hub is advantageous, so am considering getting a PCI card. So I was curious about the differences between a "normal" USB card that's in the $20-$30 range and one of these Startechs (card1 and card2) that are over $100? Do I need one of these?

[stevech]

Looks to me like the expensive card simply adds 3 amps of output per USB plug. This is non-standard. And a connected Tuner would be self-powered anyway.

[freewheeling]

Originally Posted by stevech

Looks to me like the expensive card simply adds 3 amps of output per USB plug. This is non-standard. And a connected Tuner would be self-powered anyway.

What's a good USB card to get for this application? I think I have to have both the USB-UIRT and the HD-PVR connected, because they have to be on the same repeater extension. This is because I can't get the Hauppauge blaster that comes with the HD-PVR to work consistently. Piece of junk.

[doc]

From what I've read on here a USB card that has an NEC chipset would be best, but I don't run an HD-PVR myself.

[toricred]

I'd also suggest using a PCI Express card instead of just PCI if that's an option.