TV tuner

[lazerman]

So what do I need to look out for a TV tuner?

Can you get HD and such?

ect

Whats the best around I can get?

Thank you,
Jake

[Recursion]

Take a look at the PCI TV Tuners Hauppauge do, you can get ones that do digital, analogue, satellite, cable, AV inputs, HD etc etc

www.hauppauge.co.uk

I currently have their HVR-1300 and HVR-3000 cards teamed so I can record and watch at the same time in Media Center.

[lazerman]

Another problem with these TV cards is that do they have subtitles on them???

No point if there none

[Recursion]

Media Center shows subtitles whenever I mute it and it is possible to turn subtitles on so yes.

Subtitles are streamed over the air with the program IIRC, so the only time they wouldn't work is when this isn't happening.

[Firehorse]

Normal digital signal doesn't come in HD, only Sky or Cable service for that. I'd recommend getting a simple usb tuner from ebay. I paid £15 including postage and the device is no larger than a pen drive and picks up a good quality digital signal. It can be plugged into the house's aerial or you can use its own portable one for use whilst out and about - possibly in hotels etc.

A PCI one will do the same job - only difference is you don't have the option of using it with a laptop or it being in any way portable.

Picks up everything your normal digital tv would - including subtitles (on the program it came with anyway).

[Recursion]

Most PCI cards take load of the CPU by using onboard MPEG2 hardware encoders, whereas you don't get that with the USB (also cant use the Freesat and Cable features, which can broadcast in HD for free, on USB sticks)

[Firehorse]

Most PCI cards take load of the CPU by using onboard MPEG2 hardware encoders, whereas you don't get that with the USB (also cant use the Freesat and Cable features, which can broadcast in HD for free, on USB sticks)

the cpu load is minimal, and the other features I guess are the OP's decision.