TV PC card and software

[N_Jay]

What software do people like for running the PC/TV receiver card.
1) for Watching on the PC?
2) for PVR use?
3) for DVD generation?

[gewf631]

For the card, I'm using a Hauppauge PVR-150
For the software, I'm using GBPVR
It's not open source, but it is free, WIDELY support, with TONS of plug-ins ( including DVD burning).

Since changing my entertainment center's DVD player, to one with DIVX ability, I've been converting to that format. The player also has a USB port, and I have a Wi-Fi access point with a USB port, so basically I'm just streaming from my PC.

[N_Jay]

I'm laying with a cheap card (kworld 7131) that does not do hardware encoding, so GBPVR will not work.

I might have to step up and spend a few extra $$ to get a better card, but right now I just want to be able to have a little TV in my office, not do all the PVR stuff (yet).

[sfhondapilot]

I also have the Hauppauge PVR-150 card. I had tried one of those inexpensive cards that use software encoding but I simply could not get that card to work on my system. The Hauppauge installed and was up in running in minutes.

The Hauppauge comes with WinTV, which I use for viewing TV and converting my old VHS family videos to digital. I notice that the hardware encoding really comes in handy here. My old Adaptec VideoOh, with its software encoding, would lock up on long stretches (more than 5 seconds) of the black/white static between video clips. So, it required close monitoring to start/restart the capture process. With the Hauppauge, I simply start the video tape and come back an hour later and everything is captured.

The Hauppauge also came with Titan TV (TV Guide like service). I think I can go to Titan TV from my office pc and remotely schedule a recording on the Hauppauge, at home (I need to test this out to be sure but that seems to be one of the features).

From my video capture, I burn the MPEG2 files to DVD via Nero.

[steelblue]

I am uing beyondTV 4 software with the pvr-150 card. I experienced audio and video getting out of sync once in awhile but if I closed any opened programs, I am fine. Picture quality is similar to watching analog tv on a hdtv.

[N_Jay]

Bump!!

I just got some new toys that have re-stirred my interest in building a PC for the familyroom TV.

Back to asking about TV cards, Video cards, and software.

What do people use?
What do people like?
What do people recommend?

A TV-I/O card, or separate tuner and video cards?

What OS (I have licenses for Windows Media Center, XP and Vista, but can use Linux if it really is best)

What software? The goal is good operation and ease of use.
I don't want a call from my wife when I am traveling asking how to watch a DVD or record a show.

OK, have at it

[ramirami]

windows media center...

I like it better than Nero specially since it has a built in TV guide..

[Medic721]

I have been using an ATI radeon all in wonder and a Hauppauge PVR-250

I plan on taking the Hauppauge card to mey next computer and leaving the ATI out.

The Hauppauge card does not have issues with backing up my old VHS tapes and works very well.

-Mike.