Cheap entry into Sage

[indigo]

OK What is the absolute cheapest tuner card I can get. Cost is the number 1 concern!!!
Thanks

[stanger89]

This is probably the cheapest you can go:
http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...116-309&depa=0

But I'd spring the extra $10 for the PVR 150:
http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...roducts_id/131
http://www.newegg.com/app/viewProduc...116-620&depa=0

[kny3twalker]

with digital cable or with analogue (normal no extrenal box) cable

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...roducts_id/148

this is best you can do
it has a ir blaster for using an external box with digital cable, a good remote, and the pvr 150 and SageTV

I would suggest this one though for analogue cable in which you do not need the ir blaster though because is has the nvidia decoders for only 5 dollars more


http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...roducts_id/146

SageTV, pvr 150 MCE, steamzap remote, and nvidia decoders



the very cheapest
is this
http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...roducts_id/145

it has the pvr 150 MCE, SageTV and the nvidia decoders but no remote

but if running digital cable/satellite
I would suggest getting the first bundle
and if still wanting the nvidia decoders
buy them later for the full 20 dollars

[kny3twalker]

sorry but buying the tuner card and software (remote, decoders, etc....)separately is not cost effective
so I only listed bundles

[mdmint]

If he's still got 'em available I go with a PVR250 for $70. See:
http://forums.freytechnologies.com/f...ead.php?t=9118

I have 5 PVR250s already or would have snatched them up. (Regularly around $150)

[kny3twalker]

yeah for a used card this would be an option
you can pick up SageTV from pcalchemy without bundle for 65 and 70 for pvr 250 that comes with remote
135 total
close to bundles above but save 5(or more when compared to other bundles listed) dollars


just if you have digital cable the option I have above is better cause it comes with an ir blaster
which you need when using an extrenal box

[Cayars]

Unless it's a box that can be controlled via serial cable OR if he want to be able to do commercial skipping I'd highly recommend only the PVR-250 because of the CC data.

[kny3twalker]

yeah if using DirecTV or a digital cable box with a working serial port will be an option to using the ir blaster
I would not base using CC unless Deaf as a consideration when cost is very important
features like the ir blaster/serial control are much more important than unsupported CC and commercial skipping

[Cayars]

I don't know about that. I guess it depends on who you ask. I'd rather have the CC info because I can't add that later without replacing the PVR card, but I can always add a cheap blaster.

[kny3twalker]

never used CC ever and find it annoying when I have seen it
so just a matter of choice
but I think since cost is so important
we would be uping the cost if he had to buy a USB UIRT