TV Tuner/PVR

Can anyone recommend a good card or external device for watching and recording TV (via a PC, of course) and for converting videos to DVD?

 

http://www.ati.com/products/tvwonderproremote/index.html

You can use this one to record tv in mpeg, mpeg2, avi and divx. It comes with a dongle to hook up a vcr, dvd player, x-box or anything else you want to import that uses rca cable inputs. It usually goes for $99

 

I've been looking at that one for quite a while. Still a little expensive for my taste. $95 at the egg though.

 

I got mine at compusa. They have some great prices! I got mine for like $45

 

There are five different models out now (included the recent TV Wonder HD with remote). Are you sure you didn't get this one? It wouldn't be realistic for them to sell the pro w/ remote for less than 50% of the MSRP.

For the original post, if you're looking at the ATI boards...

TV Wonder VE can only record in mono and has the standard co-ax cable input and a basic video composite input (the yellow jack on the back of your TV). $48. For $30 more you can get the remote to go with it.

TV Wonder Pro can record in stereo and has an S-video input (higher quality, more functions) instead of the composite. $64. Same deal with the remote.

There's also the E-Home Wonder Line, if you can find them. As far as ATI is concerned, I think they're extinct. Newegg has 'em. One version has FM and composite inputs (along with cable of course). The other has just cable input (the most basic ATI card I can see). $73 & $64 respectively. Note: these cards are intended for use on the WinXP Media Center Edition OS. I'd bet they work fine with Home & Pro. Best stick with the TV Wonders if you're not sure.

There are of course decent & much more popular tuners from Leadtek (winfast) that you might want to have a peek at, as well.

 

Anyone familiar with the Hauppauge line?