Hardware Encoder Advice Wanted...

[niccador]

Hello to all of you taking the time to read this.

For some time, I've used an ASUS TV FM (7135, I believe) card along with WinDVR on my primary system. I've been very pleased with this combination, and hope to continue using it for a while to come.

Recently, I decided to try adding a new tuner/capture card to an older second system I had setup (which up to this point has just been used for storage and burning DVDs).
The system in question is an Athlon 700 running XP Pro SP2 (ASUS K7V-T Mainboard), with 512 PC100 RAM, SBLive 5.1, and a FX5200 for video.

The ASUS TV FM was actually in this system for a short time when I was first testing it, and it produced good results at 352x480....but full screen 720 captures were pretty much out of the question.
So, knowing that the system couldn't reliably handle full screen with a software-based solution, I decided to try my hand at a hardware-based encoder card.
Most of my capturing is done from composite and/or SVideo sources, I've only used a coax connection once, and I haven't bothered with capturing TV at all (mostly due to only having one capture device up until now, and having other things to do with it besides TV).

Based on reviews and cost, I picked up a Hauppauge PVR-150MCE.
Almost 3 days later, I still can't get the thing to work at all. The card is there, drivers are properly installed, supposedly no conflicts....but no video or audio whatsoever. I've never had so much trouble with a single piece of hardware.
I'm still going back and forth with Hauppauge's tech support to try and find a solution, but frankly, I'm about to just send it back and get something else.

So, the point of this topic: What to get?

1) The chosen card must have hardware MPEG-2 encoding (unless someone can suggest a non-hardware card that can produce the same quality results at full-D1 as my ASUS/WinDVR combo...on this aging system.)
2) I'm looking for a budget card here. The 150MCE cost me $70... I'd like to keep it near that same range, but am willing to go $100-120, if it gets me quality results.
3) RCA video & stereo audio inputs are a MUST, though SVideo is preferred.
4) TV Tuner is not at all required, but is a nice bonus.
5) It must be a PCI card....none of this USB stuff, thank you.
6) Easy-to-use, quality, effective software. This is probably a completely different beast than the card, I know. I like WinDVR...a lot...but I understand that it doesn't work with hardware encoders. I'd like to find something that's just as simple to use as WinDVR, that can produce similar results.

I have been eyeballing the following cards:

AverMedia M150 - Since this card is pretty much identical to the Hauppauge 150MCE--same chipset and all--I'm thinking that it would give me just as much trouble, so is probably best ignored.

Adaptec VideOh! PCI - This card lacks a TV Tuner, but I've already said that isn't necessary. I'm tempted to give this card a try, but I can't seem to find much information regarding its output quality, or what software works well with it.

Leadtek WinFast PVR2000 - This one is fast approaching the edge of my price range, seems to have good reviews, and decent software.

Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 - This is one DEFINITELY the most expensive card I'd be willing to try at this point, but I'm afraid my experiences with it would be no different than the 150....which is really the same card anyway now.


Anyway...
Any help or advice that anyone can give is very much appreciated.

[thecoalman]

Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250 - This is one DEFINITELY the most expensive card I'd be willing to try at this point, but I'm afraid my experiences with it would be no different than the 150....which is really the same card anyway now.

I know there was a lot of issues with the 150, particuarly sound issues. The 250 on the other hand I've seen nothing but good comments about. From what I have read if I was in the market for a hardware encoder code that would be my choice.

[ulapines]

Here you can get help troubleshooting your PVR-150MCE:

http://www.shspvr.com/smf/

[Abbadon]

Hi,

Right now I am using an Avermedia UltraTV Media Center PCI 500 and I am very happy with it. the hardware mpeg encoder chip works great.

When I bought it the following sofware came bundled:

1. DVD MovieFactory 2 SE

2. VideoStudio 7 SE DVD

including the avermedia utility that lets you use the built in deinterlacer.

No driver issues.

It costed below 100 dollars.

JC

[niccador]

Thanks to everyone for your responses.

With the help of the people at the shspvr.com forums, I was able to get the 150MCE working.
The recording quality (at 720x480, 12Mbit VBR) seems excellent.

The only flaw is that the preview lags about 2 seconds while recording.
Now, while I have a bit of a workaround arranged right now, this is really a bit unacceptable for me....but may just be something I have to live with.

Is anyone aware of whether or not the Sapphire Theatrix 550 has this kind of lag when recording from Svideo/Composite inputs? (Or any ATI Theater 550 card)

[SHS]

As for ATI some apply to what told over shspvr forum you can't have both at the same time so for now.