Fusion Card - USB or PCI?

aperry · #1 11-29-2005, 04:35 PM

I have an opportunity to get either the FusionHDTV5 USB Gold or the FusionHDTV5 Gold Plus (PCI). So, I'm wondering which one you all would recommend.

Are they basically the same? I kind of like the idea of the USB one since it seems that it would be easy to connect up, and I like the idea of the external reset button on the box in case something goes horrible wrong. I have two other USB items currently getting their power from the USB bus, the Microsoft infrared receiver for the MCE remote and the receiver for my Gyration keyboard and mouse.

Anyhow, are there any integration issues I need to be aware of? Does one version work better than the other, at least in regards to SageTV? What are the general impressions of the two versions?

aperry · #2 12-05-2005, 12:29 AM

For what it's worth, I went with the USB version. If there's interest, I'll post if it works or not...

Goodspike · #3 12-05-2005, 08:19 AM

If you have a slot available, I'd go PCI. Not only it is less expensive, but you're also not going to run into any problems related to USB, such as insufficient power to your USB hub, increased CPU utilization issues, a USB device not being recognized after standby, etc.

I've not tried the Fusion USB product (I have the PCI one), but those types of issues are common with USB devices.

bkbonner · #4 12-05-2005, 09:55 AM

I'd like to know if the USB Model works. I'm in the market for an HDTV card and I can afford more HDTV usb slots than PCI right now. It's also more flexible for me.

Divco says the Fusion 5 USB Gold supports 64/256 QAM. Does Sage TV 4 support this?

Brian

Goodspike · #5 12-05-2005, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bkbonner

Divco says the Fusion 5 USB Gold supports 64/256 QAM. Does Sage TV 4 support this?

Brian

No, as far as I know the only options for QAM are the Fusion cards with their own software, or the MyHD-130, which is a much better card, but doesn't support Sage or MCE or the likes at all.

aperry · #6 12-08-2005, 12:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Goodspike

If you have a slot available, I'd go PCI.

Thanks for the tips, but as I stated, I had already gone with the USB version. I could get either for the same price, so I opted for the USB.

The standby issues shouldn't be a problem (unless you're talking about Sage's standby).

Ghost · #7 12-08-2005, 06:11 AM

I'm interested to hear how it works out for you. I may be getting one in the next few months. Keep us posted.

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