USB HD Tuners

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

Hey I know I keep bugging you all, and you have given me good advice with the HD-PVR etc, but I found this and was wondering what you all thought...

http://www.amazon.com/ATI-Wonder-650-Co ... =de_a_smtd

Please take a look and let me know if it would be worth it! Thanks

Legmaster

Chris · **Joined:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:55 am **Posts:** 2092

That's a pretty old tuner. I'm assuming you're looking to record HD cable channels. If that's the case, this tuner will only get you ATSC, analog and a clear QAM channels. The term "HD" in the names of most TV tuners usually refers to OTA HD channels (local channels). Again, I'm only assuming that you want to record HD cable channels based on the title and your reference to the Hauppauge HD-PVR (which is probably the easiest solution to record encrypted HD channels), but if not then this tuner should be good enough to record basic cable SD channels and local HD channels... that is if your cable company hasn't already encrypted those channels too like Comcast did in Seattle (

). Though you could find much cheaper solutions for that purpose than this tuner. Back to the main point, the Hauppauge HD-PVR would be your best option for recording encrypted HD cable channels.

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

Hey there. I was just curious...would it change anything if I were to hook up the tuner to an HD cable box? Doesn't the box unencrypt the HD channels? I would think so since I didn't get HD tv channels on my HDTV until I got the HD Cable box...

Just curious...

Cobra · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:57 pm **Posts:** 14767

If had a HD box without firewire
i would try one of these :Thumb

I found you the best prices on the planet :lol:

http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?s ... d=56911178

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.a ... 6815116030

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

Can you do live capping with these? The Aver card...not sure if it would fit inside my computer as it is an Ultra slim...my old TV card didnt fit in it. Good price though. That is why I am looking for an USB HD one. The HD PVR one is just a little too much out of my price range and I don't think my wife would allow me to buy it! LOL...

DaveD · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:33 pm **Posts:** 6105

If I am reading this correctly, you want to buy a newer TV tuner and have it be USB (external)

External is not the way to go.
The item would have to be compact but have the tuner, the memory, and processor as part of the item itself (since you wouldn't want to take up the main system's memory and processor...)
That's all good except for the fact that it would use a bunch of energy, power, and heat for a very small device.

Anyway, even though it's right, I might be way off for saying that.

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Tue Feb 23, 2010 10:29 pm

DaveD wrote:

If I am reading this correctly, you want to buy a newer TV tuner and have it be USB (external)

External is not the way to go.
The item would have to be compact but have the tuner, the memory, and processor as part of the item itself (since you wouldn't want to take up the main system's memory and processor...)
That's all good except for the fact that it would use a bunch of energy, power, and heat for a very small device.

Anyway, even though it's right, I might be way off for saying that.

My fusion gold 7 USB works perfectly with QAM/OTA...even better than the fusion 5 PCI.

DaveD · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:33 pm **Posts:** 6105

PCI or PCI Express?

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

donkeed wrote:

DaveD wrote:

If I am reading this correctly, you want to buy a newer TV tuner and have it be USB (external)

External is not the way to go.
The item would have to be compact but have the tuner, the memory, and processor as part of the item itself (since you wouldn't want to take up the main system's memory and processor...)
That's all good except for the fact that it would use a bunch of energy, power, and heat for a very small device.

Anyway, even though it's right, I might be way off for saying that.

My fusion gold 7 USB works perfectly with QAM/OTA...even better than the fusion 5 PCI.

That Fusion Gold 7 USB seems the way to go...Found it for $89...

I understand the USB may not be the way to go, however, with my computer being an Ultra Slim case, it doesn't fit the normal size PCI/PCI-E cards. Think my manual said the card has to be under 4 inches to fit the back bay...

Chris · **Joined:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:55 am **Posts:** 2092

donkeed wrote:

DaveD wrote:

If I am reading this correctly, you want to buy a newer TV tuner and have it be USB (external)

External is not the way to go.
The item would have to be compact but have the tuner, the memory, and processor as part of the item itself (since you wouldn't want to take up the main system's memory and processor...)
That's all good except for the fact that it would use a bunch of energy, power, and heat for a very small device.

Anyway, even though it's right, I might be way off for saying that.

My fusion gold 7 USB works perfectly with QAM/OTA...even better than the fusion 5 PCI.

I've had a USB Hauppauge 1950 for a year now. Great reception of OTA HD channels (and QAM when I had it). Energy use isn't too bad and it stays fairly cool as long as it's on an even surface. I've been meaning to get a PCIe tuner instead (I'm waiting for March 31st) but there's certainly no reason to not recommend a USB tuner.

DaveD · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:33 pm **Posts:** 6105

I have a tuner card that has something called "digital QAM"
I have never tried to use it but is it a good thing to use overall, is it regional, what the heck is it used for?
(I think I have always checked the ATSC box for scanning).

Chris · **Joined:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:55 am **Posts:** 2092

DaveD wrote:

I have a tuner card that has something called "digital QAM"
I have never tried to use it but is it a good thing to use overall, is it regional, what the heck is it used for?
(I think I have always checked the ATSC box for scanning).

To put it simply, QAM signals are unecrypted digital basic cable channels. In other words, it's free basic cable through your TV tuner! It's not regional, but it's not available everywhere. Some local cable providers do encrypt these channels to get customers to rent their own cable boxes, as is the case in my area recently in Seattle and I believe in New York as well (I can still hear all the HTPC users crying... :cry:

).

ATSC signals are OTA channels (including HD) from your local TV stations, usually through antennas but you can receive these channels through QAM also.

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

Great! Guess I will start saving money for a new TV Tuner!!

Laker · **Posted:** Wed Feb 24, 2010 2:05 pm

chris217 wrote:

DaveD wrote:

I have a tuner card that has something called "digital QAM"
I have never tried to use it but is it a good thing to use overall, is it regional, what the heck is it used for?
(I think I have always checked the ATSC box for scanning).

To put it simply, QAM signals are unecrypted digital basic cable channels. In other words, it's free basic cable through your TV tuner! It's not regional, but it's not available everywhere. Some local cable providers do encrypt these channels to get customers to rent their own cable boxes, as is the case in my area recently in Seattle and I believe in New York as well (I can still hear all the HTPC users crying... :cry:

).

ATSC signals are OTA channels (including HD) from your local TV stations, usually through antennas but you can receive these channels through QAM also.

Chris, your cable provider probably does what mine does.Encrypt all the QAM channels except the local broadcast channels that are on cable. :evil:

DaveD · **Joined:** Thu Aug 07, 2008 3:33 pm **Posts:** 6105

chris217 wrote:

DaveD wrote:

I have a tuner card that has something called "digital QAM"
I have never tried to use it but is it a good thing to use overall, is it regional, what the heck is it used for?
(I think I have always checked the ATSC box for scanning).

To put it simply, QAM signals are unecrypted digital basic cable channels. In other words, it's free basic cable through your TV tuner! It's not regional, but it's not available everywhere. Some local cable providers do encrypt these channels to get customers to rent their own cable boxes, as is the case in my area recently in Seattle and I believe in New York as well (I can still hear all the HTPC users crying... :cry:

).

ATSC signals are OTA channels (including HD) from your local TV stations, usually through antennas but you can receive these channels through QAM also.

The card I have allows me to scan for QAM
It has two choices (standard cable and HRC) and I went through 52 out of 152 channels with no results.

Chris · **Joined:** Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:55 am **Posts:** 2092

DaveD wrote:

The card I have allows me to scan for QAM
It has two choices (standard cable and HRC) and I went through 52 out of 152 channels with no results.

Ugh! Well that's infuriating. But like I said, it's unfortunately not available everywhere because of those damn cable companies. :no

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

legmaster wrote:

donkeed wrote:

DaveD wrote:

If I am reading this correctly, you want to buy a newer TV tuner and have it be USB (external)

External is not the way to go.
The item would have to be compact but have the tuner, the memory, and processor as part of the item itself (since you wouldn't want to take up the main system's memory and processor...)
That's all good except for the fact that it would use a bunch of energy, power, and heat for a very small device.

Anyway, even though it's right, I might be way off for saying that.

My fusion gold 7 USB works perfectly with QAM/OTA...even better than the fusion 5 PCI.

That Fusion Gold 7 USB seems the way to go...Found it for $89...

I understand the USB may not be the way to go, however, with my computer being an Ultra Slim case, it doesn't fit the normal size PCI/PCI-E cards. Think my manual said the card has to be under 4 inches to fit the back bay...

Honestly...I found this which seems like it does the same thing as your Fusion Gold 7 USB....

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.a ... 6815260023

and here is the Fusion Gold 7 USB
http://www.digitalconnection.com/produc ... on7usb.asp

Can you tell me the difference...other than price?? Thanks

Kevin77 · **Posted:** Sat Feb 27, 2010 10:15 pm

I couldn't tell you about that tuner LM. I would read the reviews, and always expect to get what you pay for. If it costs $29 I can't imagine it's a well engineered chipset, but really there's no way for me to compare unless I've used it myself. The only downsides of the Fusion Gold I can tell you is the it gets a little hot and the recording software isn't the greatest.

It's been said, but I'll say it again. You will ONLY be able to get the unencrypted QAM channels from cable with that type card. That's pretty much your local channels, and although very rare, if you scan everyday you may get lucky and find they've slipped up on some extra channels once in a while.

Cobra · **Joined:** Mon Jan 24, 2005 11:57 pm **Posts:** 14767

You have not told us if you tried the firewire trick or how slim is your Ultra-slim case
My tuner comes with tall and a shorter bracket :Thumb

legmaster · **Joined:** Tue Jan 13, 2009 5:40 pm **Posts:** 3703

The $29.99 one used to be $49.99. Out of 247 reviews it got 4 out of 5 stars. I am just looking for something that I can use to watch TV on and maybe cap...at least for the time being. I can't afford much at the present time...but anything has to be better than my old analog card!

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