TV Tuner Card Help

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hazenz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#28126 19-Nov-2008 13:05

Hey not sure if I'm meant to post under this section or not...but here goes.

Situation is, I have bad reception at my house to normal TVs.
I've decided I want to get a TV Tuner card as I have recently brought a nice 24" LCD screen on my computer.
But the problem is, I don't want to buy a TV Tuner card to find that I will end up getting the same reception as I would on my normal TV, can anyone confirm if the reception that I currently have will have any effect on what I will get with the TV Tuner card?

Oh, and also I can plug in the Sky dish to my TV Tuner card aswell if that works? because we currently use the Sky dish with the freeview decoder and thats crystal clear(freeview decoder is outside in living room which parents use).

Thanks in advance

Quidam

291 posts

Ultimate Geek

#178807 19-Nov-2008 13:51

Hi.

Your explanation is a little ambiguous, but it sounds like you mean the existing analog terrestrial signal is poor, but you can get crystal clear freeview via DVB-S.

If that is the case, then clearly what you want to get for your PC is a DVB-S digital tuner. Obviously you will also need to get a splitter for your satellite cable, and I'd also recommend you purchase good quality cable for the connection to your PC.

You may or may not be aware that Hi Definition is only available via UHF terrestrial, and since you know you have bad analog reception, coverage sounds doubtful

Have you also given any thought as to what application softtware you will use to watch TV with? The software bundled with the cards is typically pretty limited.

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eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#178810 19-Nov-2008 14:03

Check http://freeviewnz.tv/index.php?section_id=16 to see if you're covered under Freeview HD, which is an ideal solution for higher quality. You might just have bad alignment, bad antenna, bad connections or a bad cable, but actually be in good reception - it pays to check.
The TV quality you get now will kindof have an effect on Freeview HD reception, however the Freeview UHF signal is a lot stronger than analogue.

If you can't get reception, then Satellite it is. As Quidam said:

Quidam:If that is the case, then clearly what you want to get for your PC is a DVB-S digital tuner. Obviously you will also need to get a splitter for your satellite cable, and I'd also recommend you purchase good quality cable for the connection to your PC.

You may or may not be aware that Hi Definition is only available via UHF terrestrial, and since you know you have bad analog reception, coverage sounds doubtful

Have you also given any thought as to what application softtware you will use to watch TV with? The software bundled with the cards is typically pretty limited.

Remember good quality cable doesn't mean buy that 'monster' rubbish. Just get some RG6 Quad shielded for connecting up satellite or Freeview HD UHF.

hazenz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#178811 19-Nov-2008 14:03

I'm not a pc whiz, not sure about all the terms >_< but I think your answer is what I'm looking for.
I'll have a play around, not sure what software.. (TBH all I want to do is watch good quality TV on my pc :P)
Thanks alot.

Spyware

3761 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#178828 19-Nov-2008 14:37

eXDee:

The TV quality you get now will kindof have an effect on Freeview HD reception, however the Freeview UHF signal is a lot stronger than analogue.

Digital transmitter power levels are actually lower than analog, e.g., Maori, Prime and Sky channels transmit from Sugarloaf with EIRP of 64 dBW - 2.5 MW. Digital transmitters on Sugarlaof output only 47 dBW - 50 kW.

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eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#178838 19-Nov-2008 15:04

Really? I heard they were were more powerful, so covered a greater area so thats why they needed so few for 70% of the country as opposed to the very many analogue transmitters.

hazenz:I'm not a pc whiz, not sure about all the terms >_< but I think your answer is what I'm looking for.
I'll have a play around, not sure what software.. (TBH all I want to do is watch good quality TV on my pc :P)
Thanks alot.

Well lets keep things simple.

Freeview HD is a terrestrial signal, broadcast over the UHF band like Prime for example, so you need a UHF antenna. HD meaning high definition, which means higher quality, but you'll need a faster or newer PC to decode it.

Freeview Satellite, or just known as Freeview, is obviously satellite and is standard definition, but pretty good quality. It's probably easier to get going on a computer since the requirements are lower.

Hope thats a better explanation, feel free to ask.

hazenz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#180432 26-Nov-2008 14:25

Hey again,

I'm back and I've found something that might work.

http://www.einfo.co.nz/shop/product_info.php?products_id=8750

system requirements say I need a digital sat dish & LNB which I sort of have? (not sure if the sky dish is a digital sat dish?)

what you guys reckon? split the cable 1/2 way from where it currently is running

Dish - > Freeview Decoder -> TV

Changed to

Dish -> Freeview decoder -> TV
-> Twinhan USB Box -> PC

My PC is fast enough duo core 3.1ghz beasty gfx card etc etc.. its a gaming pc so should be good. Using Windows Vista 32bit

Thanks alot :)

PS: Only need channels 1-2-3-4, Freeview channels arent that exciting :(

eXDee

4032 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#180483 26-Nov-2008 18:00

That's simply a usb satellite tuner pretty much.

Your gaming computer sounds like it will do Freeview HD fine, considered this rather than freeview satellite?

What area are you located in? Go here: http://freeviewnz.tv/index.php?section_id=16 which will tell you if you can get the UHF HD service, which means if you have a UHF antenna it will pick it up.
Freeview HD tuner cards such as the Nova T 500 HD or HVR-2200 are good.

If you dont have coverage or have no UHF antenna then satellite is possible. You'll need to buy a splitter for your sky satellite dish, and then run cable to a satellite tuner card.
For Freeview satellite the Nova S is a good option.

Or the HVR-3000 will do satellite and UHF, so if you can't get one, you'll be able to get the other.

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hazenz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#180549 26-Nov-2008 22:22

sweet!!! thanks very much for the help!
cant wait now :D