Not exactly sure which TV tuner to buy

D

drdave

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Hey folks I was looking at the MSI Analog TV Receiver VOX II (V2.0) USB 2.0 Interface at newegg (deactivated) and was thinking about purchasing this unit.

I am confused as to the difference between the different models. I just want a sophisticated one that that effectively program and schedule recordings and can work on either my Vista Laptop or a desktop PC. Tips on other good features to look for welcome. Especially your past experiences advising me of a good one to buy. And BTW where to buy? US preferred especially due to shipping time.

My PCs

Desktop Specs...
Windows XP (SP4)
Pentium 4
1.70GHz
1GB RAM
120GB (85GB Free)
Matrox Millenium G450 Dual Head


Laptop Specs...
Dell Studio XPS 13 2.40GHZ
Windows Vista 64Bit
Inter Core Duo P8600
4GB DDR 3 RAM
NVIDIA GeForce 9400M Graphics
320GB HD (105GB Free Space)

Thanks
Dave

 
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Well, the main thing to look for is what type of TV transmission you receive.

Analogue - analogue signals are transmitted over the air, but you get a limited range of channels. In the USA, I believe you can also receive analogue TV signal through cable. An analogue tuner (with suitable A/V inputs) is also suitable for connecting an external set-top box, games console, or any other device with A/V outputs, although picture quality will suffer as a result.

Digital - Digital TV is the future. Most digital tuners receive digital TV signals through an aerial. DVB tuners work in Europe, Australia, Japan, and many other parts of the world. In the USA, you need an ATSC tuner to receive digital TV over the air (OTA).

Hybrid - Hybrid cards incorporate both types of tuner in one device.
 
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I have cable and digital signal (channels) coming through the cable modem box. I do have digital TV. I have a Motorola SB5120 Surfboard Cable Modem connected to a router. I have no idea what aerial (or if I even have it) or what ATSC type tuner is. I am assuming I do not have one since the cable is supplying both digital and analog signals. I know many folks were using the Digital Converter boxes to receive digital reception.

But I do not quite clearly understand how this concept works with the vox tuner and how to go about purchasing the right tuner box and where to purchase from. I've google'd but I am trying to order from a company here in the U.S. if possible. If someone know of a company they consider reliable for purchasing these products I will appreciate it.

Thanks
Dave
 
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Maybe someone in the US can advise you better, as I only have experience of UK/European TV setups. If your area does not receive analogue TV through an aerial (on your roof, or via a 'portable' TV antenna) then the Vox may not be suitable for your needs. However if you use a set-top box (connected to your TV), then you may be able to use the A/V outputs to connect to your Vox. However picture quality will be reduced, and you'll only be able to record what you're currently watching on your set-top box. Also, you'll still have to manually change the channels on your set-top box, the Vox won't be able to do it.

MSI doesn't really offer many TV tuner devices for the US digital TV market unfortunately, as the US chose to do things differently to the rest of the world! :rolleyes:
 
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The Digi@nywhere A/D, a PCI card, may be your only option in the USA.  I'm having a tough time finding a retailer though.
http://us.msi.com/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1454&maincat_no=132

There are many parts of the world that use ATSC and not DVB.  Often it comes down to that part of the world was once a colony, protectorate, territory, providence of Europe or the US.
 
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Mike,

He might have a hard time fitting that in his notebook! ;) (I think he's after a USB device he can use with both his desktop and notebook PCs.)
 
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Yeah, I just realized it was a notebook....I think he may have to seek another manufacturer unfortunately.  It's too bad MSI is not making a dongle for ATSC. 
 
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Agreed. Much of MSI's TV tuner range is geared towards the Far Eastern / European markets, where DVB-T is the digital broadcasting standard. I'm not normally one for recommending other brands here, but a US hardware manufacturer such as Hauppauge is probably more likely to have tuner hardware geared for the North American market.
 
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I wish I could point him to an MSI dongle...I wish I could get an MSI one for the USA market(don't have any at the moment).
 
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>>but a US hardware manufacturer such as Hauppauge is probably more likely to have tuner hardware geared for the North American

market.<<

Yes, I was recently looking at a few of those. Still not sure yet if it will work. I will visit Fry's Electronics here in the US
when I get a chance. They are a major electronic chain. I thing they might sell them as well as WalMart. They must work if they are
selling them for the US market but if not, it's back to the store for my money back.

Actually my friend gave me his MSI VOX (that's it! No other number except P/N 8609-070. Pictured here...
http://www0.shopping.com/xPP-input_adapters-msi_vox It's the first one for $30.00 or it closely resembles it. Which he used during the pre-digital tv era and he swore by it.

I tried several options but he cannot find the software so I only successfully installed the drivers. I think with the software it
will work. At least for analog.

DVB is all over the US now! No DVB no TV.

Thanks for your time folks.

Dave
 
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DVB-T is for Europe and many other countries around the world.  The USA, Canada and Mexico use ATSC.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ATSC_%28standards%29
 
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I tried several options but he cannot find the software so I only successfully installed the drivers. I think with the software it will work. At least for analog.
Click to expand...

Drivers and software for the Vox are here:
http://eu.msi.com/index.php?func=downloaddetail&type=driver&maincat_no=132&prod_no=615
 
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Ok I might have tried that software before on xp machine but it prompts for serial number which is on the CD disc and package according to the website. If I had the cd then of course I won't need the downloaded version. Same problem in Vista.

Thanks anyway guys for been so helpful. If he cannot find the cd then I will just have to hang it up.

Thanks again
Dave
 
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it prompts for serial number which is on the CD disc and package according to the website. If I had the cd then of course I won't need the downloaded version.
Click to expand...

Have a look in this thread here...
https://forum-en.msi.com/index.php?topic=66899.0

:emot-tip-wink:
 
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Awesome it worked!

My friend will be happy. He is a quadraplegic which explains why he can't look for the cd and his wife is not into that sorta stuff so it's no big deal to her.

In Windows Vista however it crashed after installation but  that is because I got warning that it was not compatible. On the XP machine it works. Just a matter of probably upgrading some hardwares. Sometimes jerky video but I will keep experimenting with it and adjusting my system.

The main thing is that it is up and running. I am trying to learn how to edit videos and audio.

Depending on how things work I might still buy an new tuner. We'll see.

Thank you guys so very much for your kind help.
Dave
 
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Thank you for reporting back and the kind words.  We really enjoy helping people find solutions, which is, for me, the biggest reason I post here.  I first came here as a regular user 5 years ago with an issue which was solved swiftly--I've been here ever since and sticking with MSI.  Feel free to stay and help users...no matter what level of knowledge you have.  Thanks to all who've posted about the tuner and assisted--personally never used a tuner.
 
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