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Is this TV tuner express card correct/recommendations

  • 22-02-2007 01:46AM
    #1
    Q&A
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 587 ✭✭✭


    Hi,

    Looking for advice from more experienced/knowledgeable sources. I recently purchased a HP laptop which came with Microsoft Media Centre and a TV tuner express card (as far as I can tell it is a Yuan EC300 DVB-T TV Tuner Driver). I basically want to use my laptop as a HD recorder as a replacement for my video. But I’ve run into a few issues. I’ve managed to get the digital part of the tuner working and can successfully pick up the RTE digital test transmission. However, I have been unable to pick-up NTL digital when I connect it to my NTL digital receiver i.e. aerial out section which would run to the back of the TV. During the setting up process I select Ireland as my region but I keep getting a message saying “the TV tuner does not support the TV format in your region”. I’ve searched the internet/this forum and have found conflicting reports about the EC300 tuner some say it can picks up analogue signals, as well as digital signals, others say it can’t.

    Basically I want the express card TV tuner (I think it’s the best/easiest option for a laptop but please correct me if I’m wrong) that will work with RTE digital test transmission and NTL Digital/Sky digital (I’m assuming this can only be done correctly via an analogue tuner) which is compatible with MCE. Is this the EC300? If so can someone explain where I’m going wrong? If it is not can anyone recommend an express card which will do the job?

    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • #2
    riddik
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 362 ✭✭riddik


    i could be wrong, someone might correct me, but it sounds like u fed it a digital signal, which it can decode no problem, however then u fed it the aerial out from the ntl box, the rf feed, which is not a digital transmission, thus not mpeg2 like the test channel. was the test trans source fed through a scart/component lead? or even through a digital aerial [i imagine this test transmission from rte is terrestrial ] does the card have a scart-in or more probable, the three component inputs? try feeding the signal in that way, itl pick up ur stuff then, i think

    i also see i said feed quite a bit. sweet


  • #3
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    riddik is spot on, the Yuan EC300 is a digital only device it accepts DVB-T transmissions only. While the NTL signal may be digital in origin the output is analogue via the set top box.

    Expresscard is a PCI-e interface for laptops that replaced the older PCMCIA interface, there are not a lot of MCE certified tuners in this interface yet.

    There is also the issue that MCE does not support multiple guides so you could only use the RTE DTT service or the NTL service not both at once however if you wish that functionality alternative Media Centre programs are capable of this like GB-PVR and Media Portal.

    The only external analogue MCE certified tuner I can find is in USB form as your notebook does not support the older PCMCIA interface I assume. It is possible to get dual digital/analogue tuners but ones compatible with MCE are very hard to find but this model will work with other media centre software.


  • #4
    Q&A
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 587 ✭✭✭Q&A


    Thanks guys. I think you’ve confirmed my suspicions. I have to be honest I’m not a 100% clear on the exact differences between expresscards and PCMCIA – but my searching seems to suggest what you say that a PCMCIA is a no go on my laptop. I did find the Cinergy model but was put off by the “Unfortunately, receiving analog television with Windows MCE is not possible.” http://tven.terratec.net/modules.php?op=modload&name=News&file=article&sid=255.
    Not to keep asking questions but I think I’m left with a few Q’s to follow up. Given that the majority of TV I will watch come from NTL (Digital) can anyone recommend an single analogue tuner which will work with my MCE? Do people recommend the GB-PVR or Media Portal and how does it compare with MCE. If I go with either option will the Cinergy express card pick-up my NTL?

    As always your help is most appreciated


  • #5
    Tom Dunne
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 23,202 ✭✭✭✭Tom Dunne


    Q&A wrote:
    Do people recommend the GB-PVR

    Most certainly. It is a little quirky to set up, but once you get it going, it is does exactly what it says on the tin. There are still a few rough edges, but nothing that would stop you enjoy using it. I have never used MCE, so I can't coment on the differences.

    As for sources, I am in a kinda similar situation to you - I have Sky digital FTA and rely on the analogue rabbits ears for RTE & co. Sky is connected via a SCART connector and GB PVR has no problem switching between the two sources. I use a Hauppauge USB PVR2 as my tv tuner card. It also has no problem with the Hauppauge remote control. I believe the PVR2 is MCE compatible too.


  • #6
    8T8
    Closed Accounts Posts: 4,757 ✭✭✭8T8


    PCI-Express is the latest interconnect for add-on peripherals in computers it replaced the old PCI interface which has been around for ages.

    Expresscard is the mobile version of PCI-e for laptops it replaces PCMCIA which operated on the old PCI bus so essentially it's a bus swap. Expresscard is still fairly new so their are a lack of peripherals to buy in general.

    As for NTL digital this external USB analogue tuner will allow you to use MCE with the NTL set top box if you get a scart to composite/s-video adapter. You will also need the IR blaster to control the set top box.

    For connecting a set top box to a PC tuner read more here.

    The Cinergy HT Express wont work with MCE and it has an analogue and digital tuner only it has no analogue video input ports like composite/s-video just so you know. It will work under Windows through other media centre software though.

    I'm not sure about hooking up the output from the RF of the NTL digital box to an analogue tuner technically it should be possible, perhaps someone else has already done it and can verify.


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