Help buying parts for a computer

[MasterShredder]

I want to build a computer to capture Digital TV. I'm not sure what type of capture card to use what kind of motherboard and processor or where to shop online for parts.
I have 600 dollars to spend on this computer
thanks

[Mr. Dweezel]

I want to build a computer to capture Digital TV. I'm not sure what type of capture card to use what kind of motherboard and processor or where to shop online for parts.
I have 600 dollars to spend on this computer
thanks

Most of us shop at Newegg!

They also have a lot of reviews from users for their products.

www.newegg.com

[yoda313]

capture Digital TV

Do you mean hdtv? I recommend the FUSION line of hdtv capture cards. Excellent quality. Mine does analog and hd very well. Mind you hdtv takes up a LOT of space. I mean a ton. I forget what the exact specs are but an hour of hd capture requires like 8gbs AT LEAST! I think some might be a minimum of 4gbs. ANyway if you are building a new computer my suggestion would be to have a smallish main drive for your operating system - say 80-200gb. And invest in seperate dedicated hard drive of at least 250gb or more. More is recommended if you plan on doing hdtv captures.

Plus don't forget you have to downconvert the .tp or .ts file into a dvd compatible mpg file in order to author and burn it into a useable dvd that any dvd player can read. It's time consuming but the results are outstanding

[Capmaster]

Most of us shop at Newegg!

Sure. If you can live with this policy, which includes "DOA" merchandise:

All items returned for a refund are subject to a 15% restocking fee.

http://www.newegg.com/CustomerService/ReturnPolicy.asp#1

:P

[Mr. Dweezel]

Most of us shop at Newegg!

Sure. If you can live with this policy, which includes "DOA" merchandise:

All items returned for a refund are subject to a 15% restocking fee.

http://www.newegg.com/CustomerService/ReturnPolicy.asp#1

:P

Most stores probably have similar terms, but we have to do our "homework" before buying.

The reason I like Newegg is their instant RMA exchange for defective products. I haven't
had to exchange anything for a long time, so maybe their policy for that has changed.




BTW... Interesting avatar. Reminds me of the old "Hee Haw" television show!!! :P :P :P

[Super Warrior]

I want to build a computer to capture Digital TV. I'm not sure what type of capture card to use what kind of motherboard and processor or where to shop online for parts.
I have 600 dollars to spend on this computer
thanks

Most of us shop at Newegg!

They also have a lot of reviews from users for their products.

www.newegg.com

Agreed. I also buy my Taiyo Yuden DVD+Rs from newegg.com

[Super Warrior]

Most stores probably have similar terms, but we have to do our "homework" before buying.

The reason I like Newegg is their instant RMA exchange for defective products. I haven't
had to exchange anything for a long time, so maybe their policy for that has changed.

BTW... Interesting avatar. Reminds me of the old "Hee Haw" television show!!! :P :P :P

Yeah being able to effortlessly return anything for a refund/exchange, makes newegg an especially attractive buying decision.

A lot less risk in "trying" things out too. Like purchasing a motherboard or stick of ram from a brand you've never tried before, or unsure if it'll be compatable with your system...

If it turns out to work well then Great, but if its garbage instead or simply not compatable with your setup needs, then newegg lets you return it for a refund.

Very nice and useful for comp builders, even if theres a restocking fee.

[Capmaster]

Most stores probably have similar terms, but we have to do our "homework" before buying.

No. Most don't. Some larger online retailers:


Tiger Direct - Charges a restocking fee only if the return is incomplete or damaged:

Products returned for exchange must be in new condition, original packaging and include all disks, registration cards, packing materials and other accessories and be received within 30 days of the invoice date. We reserve the right to refuse for return or charge a restocking fee for damaged or incomplete returns.

http://www.tigerdirect.com/sectors/aboutus/legal.asp#return

CDW - No restocking fee for defective returns:

Please contact CDW Customer Relations at 866.SVC.4CDW, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week or via e-mail at Customer Relations, to obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) before shipping product back to CDW. This will expedite and help ensure the proper action or credit upon processing.

http://www.cdw.com/webcontent/inside/salesagreement.asp

Computer Geeks - Restocking/return fee for non-defective merchandise only:

Return of non-defective product within the first 30 days from date of purchase will be subjected to a 15% Return Fee

http://www.geeks.com/policies.asp


many more ....

Yet Newegg can charge you 15% to return and refund something that was their fault .... As long as everyone gets a glazed, far-away, enraptured look in their eyes at the mere mention of "Newegg" .....willing to accept such terms because they'll throw in FedEx super-saver shipping ...a $5 value .....Newegg will keep doing this We vote with our wallets, after all.

[Mr. Dweezel]

@Capmaster...

You did enough "homework" for all of us! Thank-you!

I never order anything online to "try it first". That's why I'm really only
interested in buying, and not returning.

It's interesting that you mentioned Tiger Direct. That's the first company
that I ever ordered online from! Way back in 1995. The owner's manual
for the product was wrong and Tiger went out of their way to correct the problem.

[Dr_Layne]

I've never had issues with Tiger Direct or Newegg. Never had to return anything to Newegg. Tiger Direct, my online order got botched when I bought a dvdrom drive, and I was sent and billed for two. The sent me a UPS return tag, and credited the second dvdrom drive right away.

[budz]

I've never had any restocking fee from Newegg when returning any computer component that was "DOA" or defective. I've had 1 "DOA" motherboard, 1 dvdrw defective and 1 motherboard that was defective after the 30days return period. Newegg credited me for the "DOA" motherboard & the motherboard that died after a month. The dvdrw they sent me a brand new one.

I'd recommend Newegg to anyone who needs computer components. I also buy stuff from Computergeeks.com and Svc.com because they ship USPS to Hawaii.

[Capmaster]

@Capmaster...

You did enough "homework" for all of us! Thank-you!

I never order anything online to "try it first". That's why I'm really only
interested in buying, and not returning.

It's interesting that you mentioned Tiger Direct. That's the first company
that I ever ordered online from! Way back in 1995. The owner's manual
for the product was wrong and Tiger went out of their way to correct the problem.

I just hate to see people getting ripped off, and charging a fee for a bad part is inexcusable.

Yeah, Tiger Direct used to be "the place" to get PC gear. Same with CDW. Both their prices are a bit higher than most, so I don't use them often. But they do have excellent customer service 8)

I used to be a fanboy of Newegg, like most here. That is until I ordered a UPS unit that arrived deader than doo-doo about a year ago. I called to get an RMA and they informed me of the 15% charge. I just about blew a gasket ......

I did just order some Corsair RAM, a HD and a graphics card from them recently, only because of the price and because I would get a replacement if DOA, and not a refund. The parts were all just fine

[Mr. Dweezel]

@Capmaster...

You did enough "homework" for all of us! Thank-you!

I never order anything online to "try it first". That's why I'm really only
interested in buying, and not returning.

It's interesting that you mentioned Tiger Direct. That's the first company
that I ever ordered online from! Way back in 1995. The owner's manual
for the product was wrong and Tiger went out of their way to correct the problem.

That is until I ordered a UPS unit that arrived deader than doo-doo about a year ago.

Ohhhhh.... Don't say that!

I just ordered this.....

http://www.provantage.com/minuteman-pro1500-e~7MTMN01V.htm

It will arrive next week and hopefully it will work!!!
So far I've had good luck with Provantage!

[Capmaster]

@Mr. Dweezel - Not to worry. Statistically only one UPS ever will be shipped DOA. I happened to get it

[Super Warrior]

I never order anything online to "try it first". That's why I'm really only
interested in buying, and not returning.

Well sometimes when looking for a good deal on a part or component, you'll spot something that Looks nice at a great price, but is made by a brand never bought before and there is always a certain amount of RISK to giving it a shot.

With newegg's easy return service, it makes risking trying out the different brands better. Since if it turns out to be crap you know it can be RETURNED.

Example: looking for a DVD-RW drive for a relative with only moderate burning needs, and spotting a decent looking model at a great price, from a brand you have never tried before, whos quality might be suspect.

And of coarse being comfortable in buying a part for your system that you aren't sure will work properly(like buying another stick of DDR2 ram at a different frequency speed, and being unsure if that'll effect anything with current ram speeds).

So yeah, Newegg's hassle-free return service is pretty nice, IMO

[edDV]

I want to build a computer to capture Digital TV. I'm not sure what type of capture card to use what kind of motherboard and processor or where to shop online for parts.
I have 600 dollars to spend on this computer
thanks

MasterShredder, define what you mean by "capture Digital TV".

Are you expecting to put up an antenna?
Run your address through http://www.antennaweb.org/ to see how far you are from the DTV stations.

ATSC DTV tuner selection is tricky. All have pro/con so read the user reviews.

"capture" is fairly easy if you have a good signal. Display may be difficult depending on your display card or raw CPU power for MPeg2-TS decode.

You will needs an additional disk since typical bitrates result in ~8-10GB/hr for HD and 3-10GB/hr for SD. Currently most stations are upscaling SD to HD bitrates. Only secondary channels are at lower bitrate.