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Thread ID: 122073 2011-11-29 00:01:00 Can a netbook run a TV card? RusEvo (3572) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1246187 2011-11-29 00:01:00 Hello,

I have managed to confuse myself on researching the specs for tv card I am thinking of buying. So I might as well ask.

The TV card is a WinTV-NOVA-TD Stick which requires:
Minimum processor 1.7 GHz Intel® or equivalent.
Microsoft® Windows® 7 (32/64bit), Vista (32/64bit) or Windows XP Service Pack 3.
Graphics with 64 MB of memory (minimum).

Now the netbook I am thinking of getting (Acer Aspire One D257) has:
64mb Video Memory
1.66 processor (dual core)
Windows 7 starter pack
It also has no DVD drive, so I would have to hope Windows 7 knew what to do with it.

Is a 1.66 dual core better than the stated 1.7 requirements (for this purpose)? Is this a workable thing?

Thanks for any help, sometimes I dont know when they quote a spec (in gigs) without further info on number of cores etc. 		RusEvo (3572)
1246188 2011-11-29 00:14:00 It should be ok, especially if the graphics hardware can offload the decoding which most can (unsure on the netbook front though).
As for the software, Windows is pretty good at this and if not you can always download the driver.

I've used a HVR-1200 internal and an HVR 900 USB on windows 7 and it did everything automatically, lowest spec I've tried myself was an AMD x2 3800+ and an HD-4650. The graphics card did all the work and freeview was using around 3-5 % CPU on average.

edit;

A couple extra thoughts, windows starter won't have the media centre functions so you'd have to use other software, and if that's an Atom processor it might be too weak after all 		dugimodo (138)
1246189 2011-11-29 00:32:00 Thanks, Im worried it will be a bit too borderline.

I think its an Atom dual core. Im not sure these things have seperate graphics hardware!! 		RusEvo (3572)
1246190 2011-11-29 00:33:00 I'd suggest yes, though the results may not be 100% with HD video. 720p *ought* to be OK but not 1080i. Chilling_Silence (9)
1246191 2011-11-29 01:44:00 The D suggests to me that it probably is Dual-core. Chilling_Silence (9)
1246192 2011-11-29 01:56:00 I had an Acer Aspire One AOA150 Intel Atom N270 1.6GHz and tried an AverMedia Volar USB tuner with it.
It was definitely NOT powerful enough to view the HD channels. 		AvonBill (11358)
1246193 2011-11-29 02:02:00 As for the software, Windows is pretty good at this and if not you can always download the driver.

You can use Windows generic drivers sure, but they seem to be optimised for compatibility rather than performance or features.

The newest drivers from the device manufacturer are usually the best. 		Agent_24 (57)
1246194 2011-11-29 02:53:00 You can use Windows generic drivers sure, but they seem to be optimised for compatibility rather than performance or features.

The newest drivers from the device manufacturer are usually the best.

I agree, I didn't say to download from microsoft :P
But in the case of a TV tuner, the windows drivers have always worked flawlessly for me. They are after all usually just slightly older WDM certified versions of the manufacturers drivers.

I didn't even know my HVR-1200 could do FM radio until I noticed it in windows media centre and tried it, all analogue & digtal TV & FM radio functions working perfectly with whatever drivers & codecs windows decided it needed without my intervention. 		dugimodo (138)
1246195 2011-11-29 15:51:00 Thanks for the suggestions. I wonder if there will be an option to just run standard def only.

A netbook DVR is kind of a cool idea....... it can take care of that kind of thing while I use my main laptop.

I better research Windows 7 starter version. 		RusEvo (3572)
1246196 2011-11-29 17:43:00 Netbooks can barely run themselves. And as for Acer - wouldn't go near it if you paid me. pctek (84)
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