TV-Tuner for Media Center
 

I'm really wanting to make my Entertainment center a one-stop-shop for all entertainment needs. Right now I have some old computer parts + 2 Terabyte hard drives with almost all my DVDs and TV shows on them. I'm really wanting to take it to the next step and get a TV-Tuner so that I don't have to always change the inputs while doing stuff on the Media Center/watching TV.

I'm wondering what TV-Tuners people are using in their own Media Centers. I'd like to get a good one that I can pick up channels in HD as well as make the Media Center into a DVR.

Any input/reviews would be greatly appreciated.

Hauppauge has long been considered to be the best of the bunch in the TV tuner card arena. Looks like you can get an HD version for around $100. Its included software allows you to use the computer as a DVR. It is, however, PCI-e - - I'm not sure how old you mean when you say "old computer parts," so make sure it will work in your machine.

They have PCI ones, too. I have one of each, actually.

Although don't even watch OTA tv anymore...it's All Boxee All the Time in the mosaic household!

I wasn't sure if they had bothered to design an HD card in PCI.

Either way my Mobo isn't that old and does have PCI-E slots so I might have to go check them out - know if they're compatible with the Media Center remote or something?

Everything is compatible with everything, it's just a matter of how much work. Are you running windows or some flavor of linux? For windows, just find any remote you like and an IR reciever and run girder.

I think they have semi-decent USB ones now, also.

The card comes with its own full featured remote, but you could probably get the MC remote to work with it too.

I've been researching the Hauppauge cards on Newegg and it seems like they have a lot of cons - people saying they don't work like they're supposed to and when they contact technical support - no one helps them. The highest rating on any of the cards is 4 Eggs. Is there one in particular that someone here is using that they know works?

I saw that some of their cards allow 2 channels to be recorded at the same time - this would be pretty awesome. However, I would like to know if it actually works.

Currently I'm just picking up OTA HD channels but plan on getting cable or DTV in the near future.