Which PVR card to buy?

[marsh9man]

I want to control two dishnet 301 receivers with sage. Do I want two PVR-150's, or is there a card that can handle two receivers?

[GKusnick]

The PVR500 has two tuners on one card, but no IR blaster. You'll need a separate multi-zone blaster (such as the USB-UIRT) to control more than one STB.

[marsh9man]

Thanks for the reply...it looks like this card only has one set of s-video/stereo inputs. How would the second receiver connect?

[carlgar]

The card comes with this adaptor. http://registration.hauppauge.com/we...oduct=av_cable

[GKusnick]

There's an optional accessory bracket that plugs into a header on the card and carries the second set of input jacks. You'll need a free backpanel slot for that bracket, but it doesn't have to have a PCI slot behind it.

[toricred]

There's also the VistaView Saber2020 that has a dongle outside the card to connect both S-video connections. It is available in a PCIe x1 card and only takes one slot in the back. I understand there is a current driver problem with Vista, but they are aware of it and are working hard to get it fixed. It works perfectly on my XP system.

[marsh9man]

Originally Posted by carlgar

The card comes with this adaptor. http://registration.hauppauge.com/we...oduct=av_cable

According to the Hauppage website, you can add this to a pvr-150 also. So, am I understanding correctly, that I can turn a pvr-150 into a dual tuner with this $15.00 part?

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by marsh9man

According to the Hauppage website, you can add this to a pvr-150 also. So, am I understanding correctly, that I can turn a pvr-150 into a dual tuner with this $15.00 part?

No. The 150 has just one tuner on board. Adding an outboard bracket won't magically give you the ability to tune two channels at once.

I'm guessing the only reason to use this bracket with a 150 would be to break out the audio input into separate RCA jacks.

[carlgar]

Originally Posted by GKusnick

I'm guessing the only reason to use this bracket with a 150 would be to break out the audio input into separate RCA jacks.

I think it is to allow component input to the 150. I don't have one, but I do not see any conponent input. I do see the white connecter.

[marsh9man]

Thanks...it seemed too good to be true.

Can anyone comment on advantages/disadvantages between the pvr-500 and the vista view saber 2020?

[toricred]

The PVR500 is only available as a PCI card and the Saber2020 is only available as PCIex1. The 500 requires 2 slots to input 2 S-videos or composites, the 2020 requires only 1 slot. The 2020 has a dongle on the outside of the computer that I have had get knocked out of the its connection when I was moving the computer to add more memory (I just have to remember to re-connect or at least check the connection when I move the computer). I think the picture from the 2020 is better, but the drivers are a little more finicky to get it working. I use both, but I'm out of PCI slots so I'll be heading to the 2020 in the future since I have lots (well more available) of PCIex1 slots.

[pat_smith1969]

I have a 150 and a pvr500, I must say I am pretty unhappy wiht the video quality on both. I have done some research and most feel that the ATI Theater 650 PRO has better PQ.

It is only a single tuner card though so you would need two.