Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150

[Caleb828]

Hey guys.
I've been tempted to get the $200 dollar all-in-one-solution pack but now I'm not so sure.
I've heard that the picture quality of the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 is lacking compared to other cards.
Is this true? Thanks.

[balticgreen]

I don't think so. I have two and am happy.

[jkoon]

If you are going to be doing just standard def. stuff, then I think hauppauge is the way to go.

[Caleb828]

Thanks for the answers.
One more. Can I watch one show and record another with one card? Or do I need two?

[HomeyFour]

Originally Posted by Caleb828

Thanks for the answers.
One more. Can I watch one show and record another with one card? Or do I need two?

With only 1 card, you can watch an already recorded show, while recording another. To watch live TV and record another show, you will need 2 cards. I have 2 150's and they work great.

[jsereda]

Get a PVR500 instead of (2)150's, I think the 500 is (2) 150's.

[jrshan]

I'm very happy with my 150. In fact, the picture quality is better than out of my TiVo, and I thought the TiVo was happenin'.

Now it took me a while to get happy with it - I messed with it for months. At first the picture didn't seem sharp, the contrast was messed up, and it looked hazy. Then I swapped out the ATI9250 graphics card for an MSI NVidia FX5200, and the difference was huge and immediately obvious. I became a happy man, and have never looked back. It makes me wonder how many people blame the input and never consider the output.

A question for those with multiple 150's - can you use the IR blasters independently? In other words, if I had 2 satellite boxes, and 2 150's, could I control each box from it's associated 150's blaster, or can you only have 1 blaster per BTV?

[btvfreak]

A question for those with multiple 150's - can you use the IR blasters independently? In other words, if I had 2 satellite boxes, and 2 150's, could I control each box from it's associated 150's blaster, or can you only have 1 blaster per BTV?

You should be able to use 2 PVR 150's, each with their own blaster connected to their own cable box.

[jrshan]

Thanks for that answer on the IR blaster thing, btvFreak.

[jsereda]

Originally Posted by btvfreak

You should be able to use 2 PVR 150's, each with their own blaster connected to their own cable box.

I would take a double check into this. I had problems getting an IrBlaster to work with a PVR 150 and a PVR 250, hauppauge claims they don't support the use of (2) PVR cards to work with either the remote or the ir blaster. I know the PVR 250 is a differant card, but the same concept should be there.

[Rich A]

Originally Posted by jsereda

I would take a double check into this. I had problems getting an IrBlaster to work with a PVR 150 and a PVR 250, hauppauge claims they don't support the use of (2) PVR cards to work with either the remote or the ir blaster. I know the PVR 250 is a differant card, but the same concept should be there.

I know there is an issue with the MCE version of the 150 and remotes. That model doesn't have an IR port of any kind.

On the quality issue, I remember reading here a few times that people who have had both (250/350 and 150) say the 150 is "better" quality.

[viper15]

Hello, I'm new to the pvr stuff. I am home schooled and I get the school over satellite. I want to be able to record a lesson while watching another. Is that possible on the WinTv pvr 150.

Thanks.

[HomeyFour]

Originally Posted by viper15

Hello, I'm new to the pvr stuff. I am home schooled and I get the school over satellite. I want to be able to record a lesson while watching another. Is that possible on the WinTv pvr 150.

Thanks.

In BTV, in order to watch anything live and be able to record another any program, you will need *2* of any capture card, including the PVR-150.

[viper15]

The lesson I would be watching will have been previously recorded, not live.

[jkoon]

Then yes you can watch a previously recorded show while recording another.