TV Tuner Question

[Author-ized]

I've been reading much about tv tuner devices for two of my systems. One runs WinXP while the second XP Media Center. Well, it has become apparent that the more I read the more confused I get. From tuner, remote and software compatibility to performance...The questions seem to be never-ending.

One of the many reviews I've read:
MCE TV Tuner Roundup

I'm basically looking for a PVR with a remote (packaged or third-party). It will hook up into a cable box which has both coax and S-Video connections. Do the tuner software and remote really make a difference?...Or is it a matter of preference?

Here are the cards I'm considering:

ATI TV Wonder Elite Remote Control Edition PCI
Hauppauge 1042 PCI Interface Win TV150 PVR-MCE
Hauppauge WINTV-PVR-150 PCI
Hauppauge 980 ( WinTV-PVR-250 ) PCI Interface TV Tuner Card
eVGA 016-P1-NVTV-TX PCI Interface NVTV TV Tuner 16M SDR PCI
MSI Theater 550Pro MS-8621-010 PCI

Which cards should be a serious contender (eliminate or add if needed)? To work with the cable box, which software and remote do you recommend?...Or will the packaged versions work? Other factors I should consider?

[SHS]

WinTV-PVR 150
This come with 45 button Remote and IR Receiver/Transmitter and work with a few 3rdparty PVR software package.
SageTV, BeyondTV and GB-PVR

WinTV-PVR 150MCE or 500MCE
Come with FM tuner and REAL RCA Audio jack but no 45 button Remote and IR Receiver/Transmitter
So there for you need something like the USB-UIRT and work with any IR Remote and work with a lot 3rdparty PVR software package.

Theater 550 Pro aka TV Wonder ELITE
Nice but has a few problems
Run Hot which can be fix by add heatsink+fan
Audio vol way to low, to me it like 20 to 30% to low
Only well support under BeyondTV rigth now, Note I have not test GB-PVR or any other 3rdparty package.

[Author-ized]

Thanks SHS for the reply.

Unless I'm mistaken, the Hauppauge 250 is also a discontinued product...So, I'll consider going with the 150. The GB-PVR seems to be highly recommended here so I'll take a look at that software. If it doesn't work for me I'll head straight to BeyondTV.

Will the packaged softare and remote work with the cable box?

[mike909]

Author,
what card/setup did you end up choosing and how did it work out for you?