[olug] Hauppauge TV card recommendations

[Curt Safranek]

I have been using a Hauppauge 350 with Cox TV input (non-HD) for 2-3 years
now with no issues.  The software used is SageTV - the Windows version (it
was all that was available from them at the time); they have since come out
with a Linux version (it is not open source like MythTV, however).  I also
have the remote for the card, but I don't use it.  The reason being:  I also
have a couple of Hauppauge MediaMVPs (the wired Ethernet versions, not the
wireless ones) throughout the house that are connected to the SageTV server
(where the Hauppauge 350 card is housed and all the video is stored) in the
basement.  The MediaMVPs come with remote controls that are then used to
navigate menus, pause/rw/ff, etc.

Anyway, I have been really pleased with this setup and haven't had any
problems with the Hauppauge 350.  I think the only difference between this
card and the 500 is an additional tuner (i.e. you can record two shows at
the same time if you want).  If you are considering HD TV you should
probably make sure whatever card you choose will support it - I'm not sure
any of these particular cards do...sorry, I don't have any details on this
aspect since I don't subscribe to HD.

Finally, I just have to say that once you start using one of these (a DVR)
your life will change :-)  No more commercials, no more "worrying" about
missing your favorite shows, etc.  The only thing you have to worry about is
hard drive space and the only thing that sucks is when you are actually
watching live TV (i.e. a program that you haven't recorded) and realize that
you have to actually sit there and watch the commercials...


Curt
 


-----Original Message-----
From: olug-bounces at olug.org [mailto:olug-bounces at olug.org] On Behalf Of Eric
P
Sent: Friday, April 18, 2008 12:34 PM
To: olug at olug.org
Subject: [olug] Hauppauge TV card recommendations

Hi,

I'm trying to put together a MythTV setup, and it looks like Hauppauge TV
cards (w/remote and IR emitter) may be the way
to go.

I don't have cable TV, but I will be getting a digital converter
whatchamajig for my analog TV and 9' antenna.  So I'd
like to run the signal from that through the Hauppauge TV card/MythTV setup
on the way to the TV.

I'm looking on eBay for something relatively on the cheap.  Can anyone tell
me their experiences with any of the
prevalent models?  I'm seeing these Hauppauge card models: 150, 250, 350 and
500.  Also, I'm seeing Hauppauge WinTV Go
cards as well.  So I'm a little at a loss of what I should be aiming for.

Any help is appreciated!
Eric Pierce
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