CurtPalme.com Home Theater Forum

[Spanky Ham]

Hey, I got a gift card from my sister for my birthday from Frys. I was wanting to get some feedback on some of the tuners that they have. Here is a list: http://shop4.frys.com/search?query_string=&sort=price&order=asc&order_by=p03a&cat=-46704&pType=pDisplay&from=0&to=24

I will probably use this both with XP and Linux, so it needs to be compatible with both. I think the Pinnacles and Hauppage 950 work with Linux. Also, the local store has the Aver Volaire Max for $89. That has gotten good reviews. I hope to keep this under $100.

[ecrabb]

Don't know if you want PCI or USB, but I've been using a USB stick tuner from elgato for about a year now. I use the elgato tuner with a Mac, but I think the hardware is an OEM design that's used in the Hauppage 1191, HP, Pinnacle and a few other manufacturers' USB stick tuner. They all look nearly identical. Several of them even have an identical plastic case.

Anyway, it's as good a tuner as any HD tuner I've had recently. It's neat having a little USB stick that you can throw in a notebook bag and be able to watch or record TV somewhere away from home if you want. Or, be able to easily and quickly throw it on another computer without cracking cases open, etc.

I've taken mine to the office for several big events, like during March Madness last spring. We set a computer and the projector up in the conference room and watched a bunch of the games in HD.

SC

[Spanky Ham]

Thanks crabb. I will probably go USB. I saw the Pinnacle at Frys, but the online price is higher than what I remember. I thought it was around $69. Now that I am looking at these prices compared to Newegg, I may have to hold off. The 950 is $15 more expensive at Frys. I believe the Hauppage works in Linux as well.