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Thread ID: 95521 2008-12-09 07:08:00 TV card recommendation nofam (9009) Press F1
Post ID Timestamp Content User
726973 2008-12-09 07:08:00 Can someone recommend me a TV card (probably a Hauppauge?) that has dual DVB-T tuners, so I can watch one channel while recording another?

And does the OS on the HTPC matter? I'm still deciding between MythTV/XMBC or a Windows-based app (either the inbuilt one in Vista HP, or something like BeyondTV)

:thumbs:
nofam (9009)
726974 2008-12-09 07:14:00 ascent.co.nz

That ones pretty good, got freeview.

For the OS I reckon windows with XMBC, its damn stable and has infinite features.
Internet TV's cool too.

Or just get MythTV

Windows Media Center is OK but no support for freeview HD!
Blam (54)
726975 2008-12-09 07:24:00 How about pcu.co.nz

And for the software take a look at http://www.team-mediaportal.com/
gcarmich (10068)
726976 2008-12-09 19:19:00 And also for software GBPVR - forums.gbpvr.com

NZ (Wellington) made, free, windows, pretty similar to Media portal in terms of abilities.
psycik (12851)
726977 2008-12-09 19:47:00 Cool . . . . So just thinking ahead, how would I make this kind of set up work with a V-series Bravia that has an inbuilt Freeview tuner? Presumably the feed from the antenna would have to go into the HTPC's TV card first, then out of the video card to the TV, which wouldn't actually use the inbuilt tuner??

:waughh:
nofam (9009)
726978 2008-12-09 20:14:00 Cool . . . . So just thinking ahead, how would I make this kind of set up work with a V-series Bravia that has an inbuilt Freeview tuner? Presumably the feed from the antenna would have to go into the HTPC's TV card first, then out of the video card to the TV, which wouldn't actually use the inbuilt tuner??

:waughh:

You would be best to get a splitter and split the UHF signal to the TV and PC .
This way you could still watch Freeview without having to turn the PC on or you could be recording 2 channels while watching a third .
CYaBro (73)
726979 2008-12-09 20:15:00 You would probably have to switch the TV to AV or something to see it on the screen.

And no it wouldnt use the built in tuner. It'd be getting the signal from the PC
Speedy Gonzales (78)
726980 2008-12-09 20:25:00 You would be best to get a splitter and split the UHF signal to the TV and PC.
This way you could still watch Freeview without having to turn the PC on or you could be recording 2 channels while watching a third.

So that doesn't degrade the signal? I've seen a regular terrestrial signal split off to 2 TV's - either would look fine when the other was turned off etc, but both on together seemed to affect the picture quality.
nofam (9009)
726981 2008-12-09 20:28:00 So that doesn't degrade the signal? I've seen a regular terrestrial signal split off to 2 TV's - either would look fine when the other was turned off etc, but both on together seemed to affect the picture quality.

Yes it will degrade the signal slightly, but the only answer to that is to add an amplifier. But try the splitter first as they're < $20. And amp is around $100.
psycik (12851)
726982 2008-12-09 21:04:00 So that doesn't degrade the signal? I've seen a regular terrestrial signal split off to 2 TV's - either would look fine when the other was turned off etc, but both on together seemed to affect the picture quality.

If you are only splitting once from the UHF aerial, to the TV and the PC, then no it shouldn't degrade the signal.
The freeview digital signal is a lot better than standard TV signal.
CYaBro (73)
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