[smartin22]

Hello,


I am building an HTPC, featuring an Asus P5Q-EM Mobo, and an Intel E8500 processor with 4GB of memory.


I ordered a TV Tuner/Video Recorder; I originally ordered the Avertv Combo PCIE(M780) and as I read more, I also ordered the Hauppauge 1213 WinTV-HVR-2250. I like the idea of the Hauppage 2250 being able to simultaneously watch and record DTV, but I also know the AverTV supports WMC/ QAM better. I primarily expect to use this as a relatively standard HTPC--in most cases, I will use WMC, and I don't expect to use the analog functionality.


I will send one back. Any comment on which is better? Do both these boards run relatively "hot"? Pic quality is good? Comments appreciated! Thx.


Scott

 

[CFC]

I have an M780 and really like it for Vista Media Center, but it is not compatible with Mediaportal (in Vista) unfortunately. Depending on what you're looking to do, that may or may not matter.

The tuner is pretty sensitive and picks up all my available QAM stations with no problems.


CFC

 

[jrwalte]

I own the m780 and used it with MCE2005 with the QAM beta drivers. It's worked with no issues. The analog quality is slightly less then my Samsung TV, but it's not bad. HD quality is good.


I'm considering the HVR-2250 myself because it supports dual QAM tuner in the same card and I have use of 2 QAM tuners. I'm also considering buying a second m780.

 

[Mr. Pseudonym]

I've been debating between these same two cards. I've heard the Hauppauge has signal loss because it splits inside the card so two M780's seems to be the safer bet.


My issue is that I want to ditch my STB and just run the straight cable. I've found that when I do this I lose the VOD lineup from my cable provider but in it's place is a whole slew of clear QAM channels in HD! Unfortunately, none of the EPG's carry scheduling for these "undefined" channels. So I plan to build an HTPC with tuner cards and find a front-end that allows me to re-map the guide database.


Is that even possible? I'm still researching so I'm also open to suggestions on which app to use for the front-end.

 

[jaycam]



Quote:
Originally Posted by smartin22 /forum/post/15490552


Hello,


I am building an HTPC, featuring an Asus P5Q-EM Mobo, and an Intel E8500 processor with 4GB of memory.


I ordered a TV Tuner/Video Recorder; I originally ordered the Avertv Combo PCIE(M780) and as I read more, I also ordered the Hauppauge 1213 WinTV-HVR-2250. I like the idea of the Hauppage 2250 being able to simultaneously watch and record DTV, but I also know the AverTV supports WMC/ QAM better. I primarily expect to use this as a relatively standard HTPC--in most cases, I will use WMC, and I don't expect to use the analog functionality.


I will send one back. Any comment on which is better? Do both these boards run relatively "hot"? Pic quality is good? Comments appreciated! Thx.


Scott

smartin22, I was wondering which tuner you ended up going with? I'm looking at those two tuners as well. I'm planning on using WMC and pulling OTA ATSC exclusively. Which worked better for you?


Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[jrwalte]



Quote:
Originally Posted by Mr. Pseudonym /forum/post/15697770


So I plan to build an HTPC with tuner cards and find a front-end that allows me to re-map the guide database.

Vista Media Center with the TV Pack makes this easy. It can automatically detect local stations over clear QAM and properly identify them in the guide. You can also manually update any channel in the guide and tell it which channel guide to use.


Happauge and the M780 both have 3rd parties utilities that allow you to load QAM channels into MCE2005 or non TV Pack Vista MC. You can then manually tell the guide what channel guide to use.