Help picking out a tuner

[skidooosl]

Hello,

Could anyone please guide me in the direction I need to look for a good TV Tuner? I am building a new HTPC and am unsure of which tuner to get. Curently I have the PVR-150 but thinking of moving to the HVR – 1600 so I can get HD over the air for free and use my Direct TV for other recording.

Would the 1600 be a good choice or should I look for a different model / make? There are so many different cards that all look the same and so many formats people are talking about that I cant make heads or tails of it.


There also seem to be several different HVR 1600’s with different numbers such as 1183wb 1101wb 1178??

Is one example of what I was looking at
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116007

Basically I just want the best and smoothest recording possible.

If this helps
I live in North America (MI)
Use Direct TV so I need the IR Blaster or similar
Would like to record over the air HD
Maybe record over the air and Direct TV at the same time
Basically looking for the smoothest and best recording quality I can get

Thanks

[LandShark]

here's a very good comprehensive tuner guide --> http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2034&Itemid=232

most of the differences of a single tuner card is what's in the box. some is just a bare card itself, some comes with other stuffs that you might or might not needs (e.g. the one you link comes w/ a remote).

you don't have to limit yourself w/ one that comes w/ a IR blaster. depends on your PVR application, you can use/purchase USBIRT, IR Blaster, or serial cable to tuner your DirecTV box. (I'm using a serial cable and a USBIRT to tune 2 of my DirecTV boxes)