I have dish network, and use a computer to power my PJ. if i get a pci tv tuner, would it work? or do i have to get something like a kworld tuner box? I want to get this going soon so I can see some big screen NFL football action. Thanks in advance for the help!

A regular TV tuner card will not work with directly with the satellite, you must use your satellite box, then:

1) You can use the coax output of the satellite box with a regular TV tuner card set to station 3 or 4. I believe this should handle both video and sound.

2) You can use the s-video output of your satellite box and use a simple card such as the ProLink XCapture card (with has composite and s-video inputs) and then use this with a free program such as DScaler v4. Audio must be handled seperately either directly from the satellite box to an external receiver, or as an input to your sound card on the PC.

3) You can use a card like the Hauppauge PVR-150 if you want some DVR functionality. The setup is similar as described above, except there is an IR blaster for changing channels on the satellite box. Audio should run through the PC as going directly from satellite box to receiver will introduce a big lag between picture and sound.

Option 2 is a cheap, but quality method, if your not interested in DVR functionality. DScaler v4 is one of the best programs for de-interlacing that i've found.

HTH.
gs

I agree with Dscaler with software cards on windows.

I would also like to recomend geexbox.org if you're PC is a little older.
I use an 800 mhz P3 & can bump the input on a software card up to 1024x768 with de-interlacing & deblocking for when you scale it up.
It uses mplayer & the menu is a little clunky but you can get used to it.

Actually, I believe both dscaler & mplayer use the same open source code to do scaling.

i have dvr on my dish network reciever, so i dont need that function on my HTPC. Thank you for your information, im going to get a tv tuner card today then and hopefully get it set up this evening. I"ll let you know what my results are. Thanks again!

If you plan to use a TV tuner card, I would suggest something that is compatible with DScaler v4. I know the software that came with the PVR-150 card just didn't look as good as DScaler (which is free). You can check the DScaler forums to see what chipsets are compatible.

Good Luck.
gs

I don't know why it won't "act" like a regular TV tuner. I have a USB TV tuner with remote (forgot the brand) and if I use channel 2 or 4 I can use an 'outside' source such as VCR, Sat, etc.

I was saying you can't plug your dish directly into a tuner card in your PC, you must use the satellite box. After it passes through the sat box, then yes, you can use it like a tuner card on channel , 3, 4.. whatever... That is "option 1" as I outlined.

There are options for DVB-S input cards where you can plug your satellite dish directly into this card (no external satellite box), but not if you want to get all the Dish programming that you're signed up for (as that is encrypted).

cheers,
gs

ok, so i just got my tuner card today. its a leadtek2000 xp rm. the picture looks great, except for two things...

1. its in black and white, and i cant for the life of me figure out how to make it color! i've been playing with the configurations for the last 3 hrs, and can't find anything.
2. there is no sound! I'm running rg6 coax from my satellite box to this tv card, and like i said, there is no color and no sound. what the hell am i doing wrong? could my driver be installed incorrectly?

Got Direct Tv hooked to my old Win TV - To Go Card running a composite video cable and stereo out of the direct tv box into the aux input on my computers sound card.. using program dvr-3 works like a charm .. Only drawback is that every channel seems to have a diiferent color and brightness issue so I am forever adjusting the contrast and brightness.... Damn Direct -TV //// I watched the Saints get there butt's whooped by the Colts.... And then Last Night watched the Bengels beat the Ravens ( Poor Poor Air Mc Scare Mc Nair )

The Guy just keeps getting hurt...

What software are you using & do you have the right format set?
PAL or NTSC depending on where you live?
This will cause black & white in my experiance.

Not sure about color issue, but I think you need a line going from the TV card audio OUT, to your sound card audio IN, then of course you need to be sure the input level for your sound card is not muted or level set too low to hear.

Another thought:
You could also use the s-video or composite connector to see if this solves the color issue you are having, and run the sound seperate.

i dont have an audio OUT from the tv card. as far as using s-video, i'd have to get a super long s-video cable, as the dish network reciever is a dual tuner, and sits upstairs from my home theater setup. that is an option, just have to wait longer and order more parts i guess...

I am currently running the software that came with the tv card. it is WinFast PVR. I'm going to download Dscaler tonight and see if their software might solve the problem.

edit: I now have color! (the tuner was set for cable tv mode, not antenna mode) but its weird that i could get the picture (B/W) off cable channel 116. hmm

you HAVE to have an audio out on the TV card... somewhere. I'm not sure of the exact model of you card, but there appears to be several versions. Some have internal audio connections to your soundcard and others have external ones. Some require the use of the external breakout cable as it has the audio out plug used on it.

check this guide, page 3 to see how to connect the audio out feature if this is your card version:
ftp://ftp1.leadtek.com/tv_tuner/TV_Card_M...05G0134(A)E.pdf

check this guide, pages 1 & 2 to see how to connect the audio out feature if this is your version:
ftp://ftp1.leadtek.com/tv_tuner/TV_Card_M...oard_layout.pdf


HTH.
gs

haha thanks, i found it. all working excellent now. color, sound, VIKINGS GAMES. YES!!!!!!!! Thanks everybody!

go PATS !