HD viewing

[adams828]

I have the Dell 2405wfp screen. Right now I have a standard TV tuner card with a cable feed.

If I upgrade to a HDTV tuner, my question is whether or not I would be able to see the difference between SDTV and HDTV on my monitor. Since the screen is small (relative to say a 42" LCD TV), would I really benefit from moving to HDTV tuner?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Unless you sit like 15-20+ feet away from your monitor, you will see quite a large difference between regular TV and HDTV. I watch HDTV on my 2005FPW and I'm very happy that I got a tuner.

Depending on your cable provider, you might be able to receive some HDTV channels over the cable line you already have (if you get a tuner that supports QAM). Usually this will just be the local HD channels (and you should be aware that for the most part, they don't broadcast HD all day, just for most primetime/latenight programming, big sporting events, and a few other things). If you live relatively near a good-sized city, you should be able to pick up all or most of your locals with an antenna too.

 

[IeraseU]

There is a monstrous image upgrade from standard cable to HDTV. There isnt much HD content out there, but what does exist is stunning.

 

[Rage187]

if you go from a cable box to the monitor, make sure you go via dvi. Component looks like ass on a 2405.

 

[HN]

do this:

grab a trailer or video clip that's 320x240 (or, hell, 640x480) and view in full screen.

now, grab one of them 720p/1080p trailers (let us know if you can't find them) and view in full screen.

now, you can see for yourself if there's a difference or not

(oh, and my guess will be a resounding YES)

 

[adams828]

Okay just confirming my thoughts. So second question:

If I get a Vbox Cat?s Eye DTA-150 (or if anyone can recommend another HDTV tuner), do I have to use Windows MCE to use it? And if so does it require a NTSC tuner at the same time?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: adams828
Okay just confirming my thoughts. So second question:

If I get a Vbox Cat?s Eye DTA-150 (or if anyone can recommend another HDTV tuner), do I have to use Windows MCE to use it? And if so does it require a NTSC tuner at the same time?

I think I remember reading that the Vbox tuners don't come with their own software, so you would have to use MCE or another third-party tuner/PVR software package. I don't have any experience with any of their stuff, although I'm very much looking forward to the Cat's Eye 164e (dual ATSC/NTSC tuners).

Other tuners you might consider are the ATI HDTV Wonder (some people have software issues, especially with Nvidia video cards), the MyHD MDP-130 (I have this one with the DVI daughtercard and I love it, but it's pretty expensive), and the DVICO FusionHDTV5 cards (my brother and a friend both have the Lite version and it works well for them). I'd probably recommend the DVICO card if you're not looking to spend too much money...

 

[adams828]

How would this work out for me? Only reason I am interested is that I have a $50 concession coupon, so it would come out to ~$30 AR. The only thing is that it's missing QAM. Does that mean if down the line I pay my cable company for HDTV cable, I won't be able to run it to my computer? I would just have to run it straight from the cable box to the 2405fpw right?

edit: forgot the link! this is what i was referring to

 

[Rage187]

Originally posted by: adams828
How would this work out for me? Only reason I am interested is that I have a $50 concession coupon, so it would come out to ~$30 AR. The only thing is that it's missing QAM. Does that mean if down the line I pay my cable company for HDTV cable, I won't be able to run it to my computer? I would just have to run it straight from the cable box to the 2405fpw right?

well it's possible to run the HD cable box to your PC via Firewire but it takes a little time to set up.

 

[adams828]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: adams828
Okay just confirming my thoughts. So second question:

If I get a Vbox Cat?s Eye DTA-150 (or if anyone can recommend another HDTV tuner), do I have to use Windows MCE to use it? And if so does it require a NTSC tuner at the same time?

I think I remember reading that the Vbox tuners don't come with their own software, so you would have to use MCE or another third-party tuner/PVR software package. I don't have any experience with any of their stuff, although I'm very much looking forward to the Cat's Eye 164e (dual ATSC/NTSC tuners).

Other tuners you might consider are the ATI HDTV Wonder (some people have software issues, especially with Nvidia video cards), the MyHD MDP-130 (I have this one with the DVI daughtercard and I love it, but it's pretty expensive), and the DVICO FusionHDTV5 cards (my brother and a friend both have the Lite version and it works well for them). I'd probably recommend the DVICO card if you're not looking to spend too much money...

How would the ATI HDTV Wonder compare to the DVICO?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: adams828

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Originally posted by: adams828
Okay just confirming my thoughts. So second question:

If I get a Vbox Cat?s Eye DTA-150 (or if anyone can recommend another HDTV tuner), do I have to use Windows MCE to use it? And if so does it require a NTSC tuner at the same time?

I think I remember reading that the Vbox tuners don't come with their own software, so you would have to use MCE or another third-party tuner/PVR software package. I don't have any experience with any of their stuff, although I'm very much looking forward to the Cat's Eye 164e (dual ATSC/NTSC tuners).

Other tuners you might consider are the ATI HDTV Wonder (some people have software issues, especially with Nvidia video cards), the MyHD MDP-130 (I have this one with the DVI daughtercard and I love it, but it's pretty expensive), and the DVICO FusionHDTV5 cards (my brother and a friend both have the Lite version and it works well for them). I'd probably recommend the DVICO card if you're not looking to spend too much money...

How would the ATI HDTV Wonder compare to the DVICO?

To be honest, I haven't used it so I don't know. Assuming you have no problems with the software, it should work fine for OTA HDTV broadcasts (as well as analog cable, IIRC). I do not know if the card supports timeshifting (which I've grown to love). But they are pretty cheap these days, and I think it even comes with a pretty decent antenna, so by all means give that one a try.