HDTV Card

[tmelo38]

Hello everyone,

just purchased one these and was wondering if anyone's familiar with it. Did I make a mistake?

http://www.hdtvonpc.com/proddetail.php?prod=hop_x8000a&cat=5

Thanks.

[redwudz]

Not familiar with it, but there are probably a lot of new cards coming out now that HDTV is available in most areas. Considering the price, (Less than $50US) it may work well for you. Hopefully you have a strong HDTV signal locally, as that's one problem with HDTV cards. The two HDTV cards I have both cost more than $150 a couple of years ago, so hopefully technology has improved since I got them, along with the prices.

If you're not familiar with it, you also might take a look at AntennaWeb for HDTV reception info for your area and your specific location: http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

[Soopafresh]

If it works well, you'll be very happy. I have a MyHD MDP120 which displays all of the HD channels in my area with great clarity. And as redwudz mentioned, the antenna will be a determining factor in your reception ability. Digital HDTV channels either come in, or they don't. There's no "snow".

[tmelo38]

Thanks guys.
I get the regular channels (CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS, NBC + a couple more) through my basic cable account on my Sharp HDTV, and those are the channels that are important to me.
If I'm lucky enough to get the same channels on my PC using this card, I'll be more then happy.
I know this card is Vista compatible but it doesn't necessarely mean it's compatible with Vista Media Center, right?

Once again, thanks for the help.

Tony

[jagabo]

I get the regular channels (CBS, ABC, FOX, PBS, NBC + a couple more) through my basic cable account on my Sharp HDTV, and those are the channels that are important to me.

That card will not be able to record HD off of the cable signal. You need a QAM tuner for that. The card only has an ATSC (over the air) tuner. If you want to use the ATSC tuner you have to use an antenna.

The next model up has a QAM tuner:

http://www.hdtvonpc.com/proddetail.php?prod=hop_8350a&cat=5

Verify that your cable company carries the local HD channels in clear (unencrypted) QAM. They should but you never know...

[tmelo38]

You're right, I completely forgot about the QAM tuner.
Guess I'll have to sell this one and get the right one.

Thanks.