TV Tuners: Are they worth it?

[BonitaMassacre]

Ever since the digital transition I have been without a TV. It wasn't that big a deal cuz I mostly download all of my fav shows but now that football season has started, I really need to get with the times.

I'm planning on getting a new computer within the month but I was curious if tv tuners for the PC is something I should get. Since I want to save space and money, I was thinking I should get a tv tuner instead of also buying a new HDTV.

I would just like to get some feedback from people who have or know about tv tuners. I hear it uses up ALOT of memory so do I have to get a high powered PC?

 

[Alistair]

BonitaMassacre,

Back in the day (Around 2000) I had TV Tuner Card, and loved the crap outta of thing. I could hook up PS, NES, DVD Player, and all such of things on it and took very little room (Perfect for small room, in other words) and able to have a few things hooked to it.

The quality wasn't bad, but I didn't have a great screen hooked up too it, tho. So in essence, I think they are work it, and a lot of them have the ability to record like DVR or what not, which was nice.

Now a days, I'm not to sure, but basically what I'm saying I loved mine when I had it. I'm curious about a few responses, especially for the newer ones and when I build my new one, I'll think about getting a tuner again.

Ali

 

[BonitaMassacre]

BonitaMassacre,

Back in the day (Around 2000) I had TV Tuner Card, and loved the crap outta of thing. I could hook up PS, NES, DVD Player, and all such of things on it and took very little room (Perfect for small room, in other words) and able to have a few things hooked to it.

The quality wasn't bad, but I didn't have a great screen hooked up too it, tho. So in essence, I think they are work it, and a lot of them have the ability to record like DVR or what not, which was nice.

Now a days, I'm not to sure, but basically what I'm saying I loved mine when I had it. I'm curious about a few responses, especially for the newer ones and when I build my new one, I'll think about getting a tuner again.

Ali

yup thats exactly why i want to get one. But did it take up alot of memory? Meaning were u able to watch tv, surf the net and download at the same time?

 

[Alistair]

BonitaMassacre,

I'm not really sure, for the time it did, and I would assume it would for that's a pretty complex process, for all programs are getting bigger and adding new things. I recall using a program called DScaler, which wasn't to bad? I'm not sure since it's been so long, and different requirement demands along with Windows Media Center.

But depends what your demands are, tho. How much is to much, and how old is your machine? Do you wanna do HD? We have to know a few of these things as well, too, and take into consideration. =)

RAM is really cheap now a days, and I'm sure if your processor is few years old then I wouldn't really worry about, IMO. Unless you run tons of programs too that are CPU intensive. Good Graphic's card can take a huge load and strain off the CPU as well, I mean, doesn't have the be the latest, but a descent one.

Hasta,
Ali