What should I do about digital TV coming?

traveler

I have always loved using my ATI AIW cards. But digital TV is coming in a little over a year from now.

I've been having problems just like many members have had with AIW and driver updates and OS. I was thinking of doing a lot of trials to get it to work right. But now I think, why bother. Digital is on the way and that puts my analog ATI TV cards out of business as well as the LeadTek and other TV cards and software I was considering.

So what should I do? What TV card should I be looking at to satisfy the digital TV need soon to be here so I can record and watch and store forever to watch again selected TV shows? I don't do cable or any paid for signal. I do strickly free over the air TV. But if I did get cable or satallite, what should I know about that?


??? ???

H3X4D3C1M4L

If you don't want to buy a card with a QAM/CableCard setup you can always just get an HDTV receiver and change channels using that and leave the computer tuner on channel 3 so you effectively get HDTV on your PC. Then the HDTV receiver is good in other places too. However its lame if you have to purchase one for your PC AND your TV etc.

That's one option. You could just get the receiver, plug it into your PC then plug the TV into the PC and go that route, but you lose "true" HDTV that way.

Note I said HDTV: I'm assuming that's what people get because more people have it than not these days (or so I find) but the same is true of digital cable: Doing it this way effectively converts it to analog.

Judas

As far as i am aware, there is no AIW capable of taking an analog HD signal or digital signal in.... only standard analog defintion.....

Now a TV card, that's one thing i'm looking for is a HDTV PCI-ex card that allows me to attach component HD video in (such as a xbox360/ps3/wii) up to 1080p and play it through my computer.. and record it if i want.

H3X4D3C1M4L

Hence why I suggested getting a receiver? They will convert it to an analog signal for older TV's or devices that are sans digital receiver

Judas

well i was slightly confused as it sounded like you has mentioned that you could turn it into a analog hd signal that the aiw could use... anyways.. just a bit of confusion..

HD/Standard Digital to Analog Standard only will work with most tv cards today.... The newer cards are already available mind you.....

H3X4D3C1M4L

Errr... a receiver will work with any analog supporting device back to your first color TV from 1950

If the TV supports an analog coax signal and the receiver will generate that... it works... no funny stuff involved....

Judas

lol i know that..

sorry maybe i'm having a hard time reading atm...

bdubslawman

Hi,
The Govt. has a coupon program to kick in up to $80 (2 x $40 coupons towards a digital converter (down-converts) the signal that will plug right into your ATI AIW cards. No need to buy anything else.
https://www.dtv2009.gov/AboutProgram.aspx

H3X4D3C1M4L

Still not right that you should be FORCED onto the new system IMHO. Rebates may soften the blow but need there be a blow in the first place? (So to speak)