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Im looking for a TV tuner card which is completly compatable with Windows Vista's media centre

As many of the below as possible on one card:

- Dual tuner
- Free view
- Digital
- Remote
- Time shift capable
- PAL version (UK)

The spec of my PC is a high gaming so spec isnt a problem.
I will be using it in the UK

So can anyone recommend any TV tuner cards that will fill my requirements?

Q: If i just plug my ordinary arial cable into the rear of the tuner card will i only recieve analogue channels or will the tuner card allow me to view digital channels (free view) because i would like all the fre view channels without having to buy an extra box.

Thanks guys.

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by Shimonmh

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Brief, practical answer up top: for Windows Vista Media Center in the UK the goal is a BDA/PBDA‑compatible DVB‑T tuner (DVB‑T2 only if Freeview HD is required), implemented as a true dual‑independent tuner (not a hybrid that switches modes). A card that explicitly lists “Works with Windows Vista” / “Media Center” (or is MCE‑certified), provides a Media Center remote, and includes a hardware MPEG encoder for analog streams will give the cleanest timeshifting/recording experience. (en.wikipedia.org)

Key compatibility notes and why they matter:

  • Freeview reception requires a DVB‑T tuner; Freeview HD uses DVB‑T2 and needs compatible tuner/hardware. Older “HD‑ready” sets or tuners may not receive DVB‑T2 HD without explicit support. (en.wikipedia.org)
  • Windows Media Center expects BDA/PBDA‑style drivers so the OS can see the tuner; Media Center also supports up to two tuners (so a true dual tuner card lets one watch while recording another). Vendor driver support for Vista is the single most important purchase check. (learn.microsoft.com)

Timeshifting and disk usage:

  • Pause/live rewind requires a live buffer on disk (or RAM disk). Typical SD streams use roughly 1–2 GB per hour; HD streams are much larger. If low CPU overhead is needed, prefer cards with on‑board hardware encoding. ()

Quick checklist before buying:

  • Spec lists “DVB‑T” (or “DVB‑T2” for HD) and “dual independent tuner” (not single/hybrid).
  • Vendor provides Vista/Media Center drivers (BDA/PBDA) and MCE‑certification or explicit “works with Windows Vista” wording.
  • Remote included and EPG/MPEG codec support (H.264 for DVB‑T2 HD).
  • If in doubt about long‑term driver support, consider an external Freeview STB/PVR or a vendor known for active Vista drivers. Note: analogue terrestrial broadcasts in the UK were switched off region‑by‑region and completed in 2012, so modern purchases should focus on digital DVB reception. (learn.microsoft.com)

Context for this thread: asked for a Vista/MCE solution for the UK; earlier replies correctly stressed driver quality and tuner type — driver support and whether a card has two independent tuners are the practical deciding factors.

Member Avatar for Member #129437

I went through hell trying to get a decent TV tuning card. This is on XP though. I had 2 Pinnacle and a Hauppage card before I eventually settled on these guys who are absolutely brilliant: http://www.nebula-electronics.com
They work round the clock to improve the software and release drivers and they have a beta version on their Vista driver out now. Their current software runs on Vista no problem. I would be confident buying their card in the knowledge that a proper Vista driver will be out very soon. The beta prob works well though knowing these guys.

Different cards have different capabilities. Some are analogue and digital and some are just one of the other. The Nebula card is both (I think). I have it set to just tune in digital stations though. This card can do all you're asking for. You can record straight to DVD if you have a DVD-rewriter, or of course to Hard Disk. You can pause TV, its digital and has a remote. The software is very solid, clean and well made. The only criticism I have is that I can't get the EPG as of late won't work but it did work flawlessly for ages.

It may be a bit more expensive than other TV tuners but it is worth it, trust me.

Member Avatar for Shimonmh

For users in the USA I would suggest my companies Saber DA-1N1-I and Saber DA-1N1-E tuners. Yes I am biased, but they great none the less. These are high quality Combo Tuners. They have 1 HDTV tuner and 1 analog tuner with hardware encoding. Not a hybrid ( they have 1 tuner that is either digital OR analog). It has 2 really fine tuners on the card.

Shimon

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