tv tuner cards

[bikindude]

I just bought a Kworld tuner card and was having trouble with it in Ultimate Edition 1.8. truned out that it was using the wrong driver. I found the correct driver for it but was having trouble installing it so i decided to just return that card. Im gonna buy another card but i would like to know if you have any suggestions for a card that will work out of the box with Ultimate Edition 1.8 without having to install other drivers or or do any other advanced configurations.

[DaddyX3]

I do believe that Hauppauge cards are going to be your best bet. I will tell you this though ... unless your willing to compile your own kernel for remote control function, stay away from the Hauppauge card/ remote kits you find available through many online retailers. They include a MCE remote that is supposed to work - but is so new that "last I checked" , the kernels still had no recognition of the remote IR blaster. There is a way to get it to work, but it is more than a newbie (don't know if you are or not) will want to deal with ... just a heads up

[bikindude]

I dont really care about the remote control. I have a digital cable box with a remote. I just want a card that i can plug in and use without doing extra stuff. Is there a particular Hauppauge card that anyone would recommend. I dont need HD or remote controls. an FM tuner would be nice but only if it will work in Ultimate Edition. Iv also read that the newer Hauppauge cards use a different chipset that is not supported in linux, is this true and how do i know what chipset is supported?

[DaddyX3]

I dont really care about the remote control. I have a digital cable box with a remote. I just want a card that i can plug in and use without doing extra stuff. Is there a particular Hauppauge card that anyone would recommend. I dont need HD or remote controls. an FM tuner would be nice but only if it will work in Ultimate Edition. Iv also read that the newer Hauppauge cards use a different chipset that is not supported in linux, is this true and how do i know what chipset is supported?

Well, you've opened a can of worms here bikindude. That is a trick question beleive it or not. First, as of Jan. 1st. 2009 the US is going digital on broadcasts - it hasn't happened yet. This triggers a decision from you. You have the choice to but heads with drivers and a lot of research to utilize the new 'chipset' you speak of (which is a whole new breed of capture cards - digital). There are plenty of cards out, even Hauppauge, that are stepping it up (they have to or they go out of business) and Ubuntu is making an effort to support them. I do believe that you will have no problems getting them to work come time in 09', however I can't guarantee the one you choose to work 'now'. I do know and would recommend (if you choose to go this way) the Hauppauge MCE PVR-350 or the MCE PVR-150. I know that these cards are currently supported and are the most widely used cards in the world of Linux and Windows. So, there you have it... the choice is yours. Good Luck!

[mangurt]

Bikindude,
Here's a website with all sorts of information about TV cards
http://www.linuxtv.org/
I currently have a Pinnicale pci800 card that works with some tweeking (nothing major). Otherwise, like DaddyX3 says, stick with Hauppauge.

[bpollen]

Well, you've opened a can of worms here bikindude. That is a trick question beleive it or not. First, as of Jan. 1st. 2009 the US is going digital on broadcasts - it hasn't happened yet.

Just wanna point out that analog cards will still work after TV goes digital in '09 if your source is cable... but you will be S.O.L. with broadcast sources.

[pch.shot]

Have a look at this:http://www.mythbuntu.org/requirements
I have not tried it yet, but if you are running Ubuntu, this should give you the info you need!
Good Luck. Make sure you post back if this answers your question so that other people can make use of all your hard work!! pch

[DaddyX3]

Well, you've opened a can of worms here bikindude. That is a trick question beleive it or not. First, as of Jan. 1st. 2009 the US is going digital on broadcasts - it hasn't happened yet.

Just wanna point out that analog cards will still work after TV goes digital in '09 if your source is cable... but you will be S.O.L. with broadcast sources.

Thanks for that bpollen! I didn' t know that! Very good to know though. I just bought a PVR-150 not to long back and was kinda sweating that.

[bpollen]

Thanks for that bpollen! I didn' t know that! Very good to know though. I just bought a PVR-150 not to long back and was kinda sweating that.

I've got that card in my 2nd machine and have only gotten MythTV to kinda work once (would show low quality live TV, but wouldn't record...) After a dozen or more attempts to install and probably 6 times attempting it by installing Mythbuntu, I decided that I will simply run Windblows on it with BeyondTV (bought as a package with the card) since I can install the card and the software in WinXP and be watching TV in 15 minutes or less.

I'm not trying to discourage or anything, because I have enjoyed the card under WinXP. I wish I could get it to work with MythTV, and I know people have, but I have spend too many unproductive hours trying to get it to work. And even if I do, I will have to do a paid subscription to someone to get program data.

If you DO get it working with MythTV, can I pick your brains on the subject?

[DaddyX3]

I've had it working several times with MythTV. Don't currently have it installed .... takes too much time to set everything up with Myth (mostly the remote-control ). If I ever, key word there: ever, install setup MythTV again, I will write some kind of How-To based on my install. I don't blame you one bit about using beyondTV with XP ... I have both of those myself (neither installed) and BeyondTV is sweeeeet! The best experience I've had with HTPC. I love the commercial skip and automatic compression on the file size when you sleep. The only thing that was a bummer, was that my damn FireFly remote died on me too quickly (RF model). Oh Well, $h!t happens Maybe one of these days we'll have a HTPC Ultimate Edition version with all installed and easily setup ... that would be sweet!