need info on tv tuner card basics...connect, descramble, etc

[etisdale]

First of all, is there a general resource on how to hook-up and use tv tuner cards?

Obviously, I'd like to get a pci card that will allow me to capture tv streams.

Will capturing digital cable be any different than analog cable? Is there a preferred card for this? Can I connect the coaxial cable from my wall to my PC or do I need to send it through my cable box first? I've only got one cable box...can I split the signal coming out of it and pipe it to my PC and my TV?

Any help or just a link to a good resource would be greatly appreciated.

Tiz

[Craig Tucker]

Will capturing digital cable be any different than analog cable?
No Your cable box converts the digital signal to analogue anyway.

Is there a preferred card for this?
I personally Like ATI Cards

Can I connect the coaxial cable from my wall to my PC or do I need to send it through my cable box first?
You have to send it through your cable box to descramble the signal and to convert it to analogue.

I've only got one cable box...can I split the signal coming out of it and pipe it to my PC and my TV?
Yes you can simply split it using a y splitter, you will experience some signal degredation. Or you can use a 2 way amplifier, which will split and boost the signal.

Craig

[Nelson37]

Well, on MY Time-Warner cable - I can connect the coax directly to my Tuner, but no stations over 99. Using coax to cable box and S-video to card, get all channels, same on TV and PC, Digital channels MUCH cleaner.

Try this - Coax to Amplifier/splitter. From splitter, one coax to TV, one to Cable box. From Cable box, S-video out to PC, Composite to TV, sound outputs split to Receiver and PC. This allows recording on PC and watching same on TV Video, also for record one channel and switch TV to cable input and watch something else, although TV must be below channel 99.

ATI cards work well for me.

[etisdale]

Thanks guys.

I've actualluy been looking into getting an ATI card. I'm certain I'll buy ATI now.