Question about HDTV Wonder

Keshav52 · 09-23-2005, 06:38 PM

I've read in several places that the HDTV Wonder requires a Radeon 9500+ (preferably 9600 or whatever) and Windows XP etc. to run the HDTV features with an antenna.

On my computer, though, I only have a real old Geforce 4 TI4400 chipset video card, and Windows 2000 (although I have an XP CD, but I haven't installed it yet, but I can if I have to).

Would anyone be able to tell me if the HDTV Wonder will work with my nVidia video card and Windows 2000 for the analog TV functions, if I DO NOT try using the HDTV features? And if the TV viewing software for the HDTV Wonder is only for XP, I should be able to find some Windows 2000 program that can let me watch TV, right?

Also, I'm wondering about the picture quality of analog cable with the HDTV Wonder: does anyone know how it might compare to the ATI TV Wonder Elite, for example, which supposedly gets the best picture on the market according to a review at anandtech.com? Will I get a decent picture?

My current situation, if anyone's curious, is that if I want to buy a new video card to watch HDTV using the HDTV wonder, I'll need a new motherboard (for PCI-e, for one of the latest ATI cards), CPU, etc., and I don't have the money to get a whole new computer right now. What I'm hoping to do is to buy an HDTV wonder for the analog TV tuner (which I need ASAP) and down the line when I have cash and need to upgrade for games (and can buy an antenna), I can use the HDTV features. I don't want to buy ATI's regular analog TV tuner for $150 (the ATI TV Wonder Elite, I saw it at newegg.com) when I can get one with HD capability for the future for $140!

I've looked around the web for days, but I haven't found any reviews of the analog picture quality of the HDTV Wonder compared to the TV Wonder Elite or any other TV tuners. Only the HDTV quality is discussed in the reviews I've found. I've also not been able to find out if I can use the card with older specs if I don't use HDTV.

Thanks in advance for any replies =)

Keshav52 · 09-24-2005, 01:14 AM

Update: I think I've made my decision.

I've heard rumors that in the future, most likely before I earn enough money for a new computer/before I need to upgrade my computer, HDTV Tuners for PC will be out with CABLE CARDS, so by that time, I'll have to upgrade my TV Tuner anyway. So for now, I should get the $140 ATI TV Wonder Elite, since it has a stereo FM tuner, which is awesome for me because I don't have a radio either, or a DVD player if I buy a regular TV (but I have a DVD player on my computer).

So, I most likely don't need any replies to this topic unless anyone has any word on the cable card TV tuners coming out for PC!

cowsgonemadd3 · 09-26-2005, 03:51 PM

Might want to read more reviews on the ATI HDTV wonder. I thought about buying one but read bad things about its software. Type in at google "ATI HDTV wonder review"...
Many said its software and drivers arent ready yet.
Hope this helps...

RSawdey · 09-26-2005, 09:10 PM

We won't see CableCard until the PC is a secure environment... Longhorn version of Windows, HDMI output on vid card, Firewire with HDCP, etc.

09-23-2005, 06:38 PM	#1
Keshav52 What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2	Question about HDTV Wonder I've read in several places that the HDTV Wonder requires a Radeon 9500+ (preferably 9600 or whatever) and Windows XP etc. to run the HDTV features with an antenna. On my computer, though, I only have a real old Geforce 4 TI4400 chipset video card, and Windows 2000 (although I have an XP CD, but I haven't installed it yet, but I can if I have to). Would anyone be able to tell me if the HDTV Wonder will work with my nVidia video card and Windows 2000 for the analog TV functions, if I DO NOT try using the HDTV features? And if the TV viewing software for the HDTV Wonder is only for XP, I should be able to find some Windows 2000 program that can let me watch TV, right? Also, I'm wondering about the picture quality of analog cable with the HDTV Wonder: does anyone know how it might compare to the ATI TV Wonder Elite, for example, which supposedly gets the best picture on the market according to a review at anandtech.com? Will I get a decent picture? My current situation, if anyone's curious, is that if I want to buy a new video card to watch HDTV using the HDTV wonder, I'll need a new motherboard (for PCI-e, for one of the latest ATI cards), CPU, etc., and I don't have the money to get a whole new computer right now. What I'm hoping to do is to buy an HDTV wonder for the analog TV tuner (which I need ASAP) and down the line when I have cash and need to upgrade for games (and can buy an antenna), I can use the HDTV features. I don't want to buy ATI's regular analog TV tuner for $150 (the ATI TV Wonder Elite, I saw it at newegg.com) when I can get one with HD capability for the future for $140! I've looked around the web for days, but I haven't found any reviews of the analog picture quality of the HDTV Wonder compared to the TV Wonder Elite or any other TV tuners. Only the HDTV quality is discussed in the reviews I've found. I've also not been able to find out if I can use the card with older specs if I don't use HDTV. Thanks in advance for any replies =)

09-24-2005, 01:14 AM	#2
Keshav52 What is HD? Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 2	I Have Found My Solution Update: I think I've made my decision. I've heard rumors that in the future, most likely before I earn enough money for a new computer/before I need to upgrade my computer, HDTV Tuners for PC will be out with CABLE CARDS, so by that time, I'll have to upgrade my TV Tuner anyway. So for now, I should get the $140 ATI TV Wonder Elite, since it has a stereo FM tuner, which is awesome for me because I don't have a radio either, or a DVD player if I buy a regular TV (but I have a DVD player on my computer). So, I most likely don't need any replies to this topic unless anyone has any word on the cable card TV tuners coming out for PC!

09-26-2005, 03:51 PM	#3
cowsgonemadd3 A HD newbie! Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 59	Might want to read more reviews on the ATI HDTV wonder. I thought about buying one but read bad things about its software. Type in at google "ATI HDTV wonder review"... Many said its software and drivers arent ready yet. Hope this helps... __________________ Come visit my channel for the newest videos from me: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/784425...t_yard_battle/ -Austin Z Prayer changes!

09-26-2005, 09:10 PM	#4
RSawdey Mr. Wizard Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Ferndale, Michigan Age: 61 Posts: 5,981	We won't see CableCard until the PC is a secure environment... Longhorn version of Windows, HDMI output on vid card, Firewire with HDCP, etc.