Freeview windows 8 TV tuner card options.

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leaplae

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#116709 7-May-2013 16:48

Hi,
I am making a new computer for my granddfather, upgrading from his old windows xp box. It had a FM radio and analog tuner in it, and he has specified that his new computer must be able to do the same.

Here are the specs I am looking at currently:

A-RAM Value DDR3 PC10600/1333MHz CL9 2x4GB

Seagate Barracuda ST1000DM003 64MB 1TB

Intel Core i5 3570K 3.4Ghz Socket 1155 Box

Silverstone Strider Essential ST40F-ES 400W

Samsung SH-224BB

Asus P8H77-M LE

Microsoft Windows 8 Professional Eng (Upgrade)

BitFenix Merc Alpha (Black)

I would like to know what TV tuner cards work with windows 8 professional. I am looking for the cheapest internal one that would work. He would like FM (not essential), and doesn't care how many streams it can receive, as long as it is one digital.

Also what software would work with the card? Does the software come with the card/windows/third-party?

Is the Intel HD 4000 good enough for HD stream from the card?

Thanks

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#813049 7-May-2013 17:02

I have AMD Trinity A4 and running Windows 8 pro and using hauppauge hvr3000. PCi slot an oldie but works marvelous in it

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

sbiddle

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#813073 7-May-2013 17:24

If you really are after the cheapest option USB is the way to go. Somewhere around $20 will get you a single tuner device.

If you're after the best option it's to move away from USB/PCI and move to a network tuner such as a HDHomeRun.

leaplae

218 posts

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#813093 7-May-2013 17:46

I have looked at a HDHomerun, it is too expensive for what it is going to be used for.

Would these work?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=589102902
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=590120788

I would get a USB one, but the cheapo mobo only has x4 USB 2.0 ports on the back - Unless there is a way to use an internal USB header, and put the antenna cable through the watercooling hole?

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#813112 7-May-2013 18:23

leaplae: I have looked at a HDHomerun, it is too expensive for what it is going to be used for.

Would these work?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=589102902
http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=590120788

I would get a USB one, but the cheapo mobo only has x4 USB 2.0 ports on the back - Unless there is a way to use an internal USB header, and put the antenna cable through the watercooling hole?

cant say for the 500 but as I said before the 3000 works perfectly for me. Windows 8 pro automatically installed the drivers as well

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

leaplae

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#813126 7-May-2013 18:42

Are you using windows media center or other software?

Gilco2

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#813128 7-May-2013 18:46

leaplae: Are you using windows media center or other software?

I am using windows media center, had thought of using wintv but in the end used media center

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

richms

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#813193 7-May-2013 19:44

Intel HD 4000 in the cheap-as i3 I have here works beautifully for freeview in windows 7 media center. No driver headaches like nvidia or amd, just worked.

Richard rich.ms

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Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

Gilco2

1556 posts

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#813211 7-May-2013 20:05

richms: Intel HD 4000 in the cheap-as i3 I have here works beautifully for freeview in windows 7 media center. No driver headaches like nvidia or amd, just worked.

no headaches with AMD Trinity graphics either. They work perfectly out of the box.

HTPC Intel Pentium G3258 cpu, Gigabyte H97n-wifi motherboard, , 8GB DDR3 ram, onboard graphics. Hauppuage HVR 5500 tuner, Silverstone LC16M case, Windows 10 pro 64 bit using Nextpvr and Kodi

leaplae

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#813374 7-May-2013 23:13

Thanks guys for that, nice to know! I have picked up a cheap DVB-T USB dongle, and if it doesn't work / causes to many issues, then I will go for something else (undecided - cross that bridge if I come to it!)