Best tuner for Windows Media Center 2005?

May 1, 2008 1:57 AM

What are the best ATSC tuners to use with Windows Media Center 2005?

I'm starting over with my media center PC (I have the worst cable company in history) and want to do it right. I've got a rig with a
500GB HD, an Nvidia 7300 with HDMI, a Gyration Media Center remote, the AntennasDirect DB2, and now I just need to decide on tuners.

I had the Hauppage 950 USB tuners before, but performance was nominal at best. I think I want to go with external or PCI tuners this time, but am open to USB. I thought about the HdHomerun, but I'm not going to be using QAM for awhile (till I move) and it lacks an analog tuner.

Please keep in mind I'm looking for 2 ATSC tuners and at least 1 analog tuner to meet MCE requirements.

PS Any extra advice for the setup (besides "Just use MythTV!") would be appreciated.

Thanks!

posted by lattiboy to computers & internet (3 answers total)

Just saw this on ebay. Seems interesting....

I'm willing to upgrade to Vista Media Center if it's any better.
posted by lattiboy at 2:00 AM on May 1, 2008

Bare minimum, MCE works with 1 analog tuner.

I have two Pinnacle HD pro stick USB tuners. They work great in MCE 2005 and OS X (EyeTV). The only downside is that they change channels a bit slowly.

I also have the Hauppauge HVR-1600 PCI. Does not work in MCE 2005 (although it claims to). Works great in Vista, changes channel fast. I'm only using it for ATSC HD, but it includes an analog tuner.
posted by wongcorgi at 11:07 AM on May 1, 2008

Thanks. I picked up 2 of those at Circuit City just now. We'll see how this goes.


PS Does anybody know the cable plan the cable company HAS to offer. It's basically the local channels, but without paying $20 a month for "basic" cable.
posted by lattiboy at 5:32 PM on May 1, 2008