any tuner boards with hardware capture?

[crazyjpeters]

I would like to capture from tv in the highest quality possible (obviously going higher than TV resolution is pointless).

My system so far is:
asus cusl2 p3 733
512mb ram
20g hdrive ata100 maxtor
matrox g400 (regular - no capture)

Since I really don't have that fast a setup, I have all but ruled out any software compression. I'm fairly sure I need a hardware mpeg1 or mpeg2 capture board, but for a fairly cheap price, there's really not much out there that will tune tv (I really don't want to stick a vcr inline).

So what are my options? None of the manufacturers seem too keen on telling you if their board is software or hardware capture (this realtime bs is really annoying me - it's only realtime if you've got the latest 1.8 gig processor)

I looked at a dv80, but it doesn't tune tv.
the hauppauge cards are only good if you buy a high end one, and I'm still unsure of their hardware capability.
A friend of mine has an ati aiw8500dv but I don't think it has hardware capturing either - should for the money he dropped on it.

What tuner boards have hardware capturing (at around 700x500, 30fps)?

[Roginator]

The Creative Videoblaster VCR records a sort of MPEG-2 format at 640x480. It's cheap at less than $100 if you look around the 'net.

[dan1st]

This I gotta say, the PV233~!

http://steve.kittelsen.com/pv231

The PV231 is basically the same as the PV233, but the PV233 is with a tuner.

Bought the PV231 last week, and am pleased.
Works good even on a slow pc.

[Anonymous65]

For mpeg-1, nothing will beat the PV233. For mpeg-2 support, then go with PV256, http://steve.kittelsen.com/pv256c

[Satan's Cheerleader]

For mpeg-1, nothing will beat the PV233. For mpeg-2 support, then go with PV256, http://steve.kittelsen.com/pv256c

what about all the problems with it? i haven't read a good review of it yet including yours.

[Satan's Cheerleader]

the pv256 i meant

[Emanef]

Are they available in the UK?

[HobbieMan]

Are there Linux drivers for the PV256?

[dan1st]

skittelsen, have you tried the Dazzle DVC or the Snazzi 1 compared to the PV231?

Is it like what you said, nothing beats the PV231 for mpeg-1...?

[Emanef]

Think I'm in the wrong thread here........ I'm more concerned with MPEG 2 capturing at high quality.....

Which card is best for this?