Combination digital and analog tuner?

[bryan_chow]

Hi all,

Is there a tuner that supports both ATSC HDTV and analog TV (preferrably with hardware MPEG encoder)? (Yes I did search the forums.)

Thanks,
Bryan

[tscales]

Not that I know of. The dual HD/SD tuners are only supported on 'one side', meaning that you can use one or the other but not both.

Tom

[bryan_chow]

Thanks for the info Tom. Looks like I'll just have to add a dedicated HD tuner.

With a HD and an SD tuner, will my program guide still show up as a single guide? I'm using the web-based EPG plugin.

[Kilrsat]

The original batch of hybrid cards (HD + software SD) are supported by BTV for use in both modes. You can configure HD and SD on the care, however you can only be recording in HD or SD at any given point in time.

The only HD + hardware SD card is the ATI Theater 650. Again, BTV supports configuring this card for both HD and SD, but with the same restriction. At any one point in time you can be recording HD or SD.

BTV creates a single unified lineup from all of the configured lineups. In the case of HD, the channels will be in the 1000 range.

[nanook105]

Originally Posted by Kilrsat

The original batch of hybrid cards (HD + software SD) are supported by BTV for use in both modes. You can configure HD and SD on the care, however you can only be recording in HD or SD at any given point in time.

The only HD + hardware SD card is the ATI Theater 650. Again, BTV supports configuring this card for both HD and SD, but with the same restriction. At any one point in time you can be recording HD or SD.

BTV creates a single unified lineup from all of the configured lineups. In the case of HD, the channels will be in the 1000 range.

But, isn't ATI recalling all of these ?

[bryan_chow]

The ATI Theater 650 sounds like EXACTLY what I need! I'm not too concerned about recording 2 shows at once.

Is it recalled? Do you know what was the issue nanook?

[Kilrsat]

Originally Posted by nanook105

But, isn't ATI recalling all of these ?

Since I can't seem to find one in stock anywhere, it looks like they've been removed from the retail channels. ATI has still not publically acknowledged a recall.

Buying direct from ATI says the 650 is not currently in stock and will ship when available. All signs point to them trying to release the card again at some point in the relatively near future.

[bryan_chow]

Well, it's confirmed. From Forbes of all sources:

http://www.forbes.com/markets/equiti...markets09.html

Some good info in the comments section here:

http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=3969

[tscales]

I have a 650 and it is garbage (long story on why I still have it).

As for SD/HD, the guides will combine and the HD channels will start at 1xxx (or 2xxx if you already have channels there).

Works great.

P.S. Dvico Fusion 5 USB

Tom

[bryan_chow]

Hi Tom,

Please elaborate on why the 650 is garbage. All the reviews I read were very positive.

Any negatives with a USB HD tuner?

Thanks

[Kilrsat]

Originally Posted by tscales

I have a 650 and it is garbage (long story on why I still have it).

As for SD/HD, the guides will combine and the HD channels will start at 1xxx (or 2xxx if you already have channels there).

Works great.

P.S. Dvico Fusion 5 USB

Tom

Since Forbes seems to have gotten word straight from ATI on the recall and an acknowledgement that it was a hardware issue, I'd go back to trying to get ATI to replace your card. This should be easier now than it was back before any formal recall.

[jebbbz]

Originally Posted by bryan_chow

Hi all,

Is there a tuner that supports both ATSC HDTV and analog TV (preferrably with hardware MPEG encoder)? (Yes I did search the forums.)

Thanks,
Bryan

The only other HDTV/Analog TV tuner with hardware encodingthat I know of is an external USB box, the On-Air Creator:

http://www.copperbox.com/lite/onair-...7b79532a5c8e15