Better quality: TiVo or PC TV Tuner?

[El Bart0]

I've been planning on putting together an HTPC which would include TiVo-like features. I'd like to capture direct to MPEG-2, cut out the commercials, and burn to DVD. Lately I've been thinking about just getting a TiVo. Has anyone done a side-by-side comparison between a capture made by a PC TV tuner and a capture made by TiVo, extracted to the PC? Any idea which would provide the best quality? Thanks in advance.

[Sulik]

PC captures can be better quality than Tivo/ReplayTV, and more DVD-authoring friendly, but you can't beat the ease of use of the scheduling capability of a Tivo.

It depends what your priorities are (DVD-burning -> go with HTPC, temporary recordings -> go with Tivo).

[Dennis1968]

In the US, TiVo is limited to 480x480 @3 meg per second recording. A PC turner card can acheive a higher resolution of 720x480 @ 10 megs per second. Clearly the PC side is better for all applications but is limited to the quality of the MPEG2 codec used to record. Hardware MPEG2 codecs (chipsets) are superior quality to Software codecs like Power VCR II v3.0.

[El Bart0]

Ahh, I didn't know the TiVo was limited to those settings. I would want to capture at 352x480 specifically, anyway. Is a hardware MPEG-2 encoder really better in quality? What about a Radeon AIW vs a PVR-250?

[Dennis1968]

rember 480x480 is considered SVCD while 352x480 is Half D1 DVD compliant.

Personally I have only had comparision between a ATI All-In-Wonder, a Hauppauge WinTV, and a Dazzle DVC2. After using the ATI and the Haupagge, I was frustrated with the limitation of the end result quality and file length limitations. When a upgraded to the Dazzle, I immediately saw that difference, NEVER again to a tuner card. Only draw back is the inability to easily timeshift record. The D-VHS in LS-3 mode using a DF-420 tape allows a consumer to capture shows like a TiVO but at full 720x480 MPEG2 at a minimum of 4.7 meg per second for up to 15 hours. http://www.dvhsmovie.com When using 3rd party software you can extract the show as a file via Firewire onto your hard drive without having to re-record from the DVHS deck. http://www.webtc.com/DVHS/default.htm

I have read somewhere else in early 2002 that a embedded MPEG2 codec chipset produces a higher quaility based on on-board (dedicated) processing versus high CPU usage/ software. Theory is less overhead because it does not have to reside in the Windows Memory Management which can result in viewable but corrupted data.

Far as capture card are concerned. It is my understanding that all cards that have a built-on tuner have to use a software encoding codec, while all others that REQUIRE a external tuner (SAT, VCR, Cable box, etc) uses the onboard chipset before MPEG video gets sent through the bus then the hard drive.

[lordsmurf]

Neither is better when you get right down to it. They have different limitations and are for different uses, but in the end, can both provide quality video if used properly It's really that easy.

[El Bart0]

And you use the AIW yourself and are very satisfied with the quality? I'd take your word for it; I love you website.

[jdizzy40]

Go to the SnapStream.com web site and check out thier bundle. Software and WIN PVR 250. I run 2 of these setups and it beats a TIVO hands down.