confused with TV cards...

[knaadhan]

Hi guys

I am on the lookout for a new PCI internal TV tuner card...however Pinnacle is out of my list! Its too costly...so i was given the following options

MSI TV card - Rs.1800/-
MAZ TV card - Rs. 1200/-

most of the features i checked for just advertised PAL/SECAM/NTSC compatible...most of the models have remotes

but what important specification should i look for before buying the card? any suggestions for other cards?

My basic requirements is to watch TV and schedule my recordings when i go out...another thing...some cards claim to record directly to mpeg1/2/4... can i record in one format and then convert to another if i buy a TV card that doesnt have this feature?

Please help me guys!

Kamal

[Rollercoaster]

the costly tv tuner cards are due to the media center software that comes with them and better remotes.. otherwise basic hardware is quite same.

if u are comfy u can buy one of the basic models and then find lots of software on the net that can do the jobs such as recording, scheduling n burning but if u want it all rolled up in one neat package that can be IR remote controlled and has media center capabalities then u have to buy one of the premium models

[royal]

well unlike other manufacturers, Pinnacle does not use Philips chip but its own hardware ... that's why it is costly

[knaadhan]

hi guys...its me again...is an amount of Rs.1800/- ok to invest on the MSI card? Is MSI a reliable company? Once i purchase nothing can be done...they are giving a lot of software with it...

[knaadhan]

hi guys...i decide to buy the MSI model for Rs.1800/-...i hope i am making the right choice...they have bundled many softwares with it and the card looks decent enough...what do u guys think? Is MSI a company that can be relied upon?

[shrenik007]

go for it knaadhan bhai !!!!!!!!!