New to BTV. Dual Tuner Question (HVR-1600)

[Jackalope]

I just purchased the Beyond TV and Dual-Tuner Hauppauge PVR-500 MCE Kit (PCI) because I was looking for a dual tuner in a single card setup. I don't have any HD TV's in the house, nor do I plan on purchasing one in the near future, but then I read about the new Win TV-HVR-1600 card and how BTV 4.6 will see this as a true dual tuner card. Does anyone know if the HVR-1600 card will act similar to the PVR-500 in terms of watching one show while recording another (non HD content)? I'm curious because the PVR-500 is $40 more than the HVR-1600 and if they will do the same thing (for non HD content) than I should consider switching cards. I've been putting off going the DVR route until it became an almost necessity.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Kilrsat]

No, the HVR-1600 will allow you to simultaneously record 1 SD and 1 HD show, but it will not do 2 SD shows.

[kojigushi]

I just bought it the other day , good deal from CC . I already have a 150 and a HVR-950 which I plan to sell off and keep the 1600. I am currently on version 4.5 . I was reading the blog and I looked all over to figure out if I can do simultaneos recordings or watch one record one of SD and HD content. and am glad to see that it is the case. It is kind of suprising that Haupp is not tauting this as a major feature, they mention two tuners in one, but dont say simultaneous is possible. The ATI HDTV tuner had the similar capability, but it could do one or the other not both.

and since this card does both, I can get rid of the 950 and 150 and install one card only. Now the question is that whether v4.5 support the 1600 as two tuners or I should wait till 4.6 comes out and then install this card?
thanks

[Kilrsat]

4.6 is required to support the card in the "dual tuner" mode.

[yle]

The card works fine in earlier v4.x versions, except for not being able to record from both sources at once. I am using it with 4.6rc1 and have been very happy so far.

[Darkk]

I recently picked up the 1600 card to go with the PVR-350. Let me tell you it's the best $80 (after rebates) I ever spent. The 1600 was able to pickup several HD stations and no studdering in video at all. Very pleased with it.

Just wish the close caption would work better with it.

I am using BTV 4.5 and it works well. 4.6 will allow dual tuner capablity for it.

Darkk