Another TV-tuner card question (HDTV)

[PrObLy]

Hey everyone, I purchased the nice Dell 20.1 inch LCD (http://accessories.us.dell.com/sna/productdetail.aspx?c=us&l=en&s=dhs&cs=19&sku=320-4688) the other day and am contemplating an HD setup.

I've been looking at HDTV tuners such as the DVICO FusionHDTV (http://www.fusionhdtv.co.kr/eng/Products/HDTV5usb.aspx) and the ATI HDTV Wonder (http://www.ati.com/products/hdtvwonder/index.html).

From what I have gathered, a pretty beefy system is required for smooth HD playback, even though the cards state fairly low system requirements. I seem to be in the grey area performance wise running an XP 2100 @ 2500 clocks.

My questions are these:
Has anyone had any experience running an HD tuner card?
Are there any other cards that may perform better?
Would it just be easier for me to buy a standalone tuner such as this Samsung (http://shopper.cnet.com/Samsung_SIR_T351_HDTV_tuner/4014-6487_9-30581247.html?tag=pdtl-list)one and connect it through DVI directly to the monitor?
Or, should I just pay the 10 dollars a month to Comcast (plus box rental) to get all the offered channels and connect it via DVI?

I like how the DVICO card can decode QAM signals; however, this isn't necessary since I live just outside of Chicago and should have ample OTA availability.

:cheers:

[Devhux]

What does it mean that the Fusion can decode QAM signals? Would this mean I could take advantage of my cable provider's digital cable services without buying the typical set-top box?

(I live in Canada, so a true OTA HD solution isn't really available for me -- but if I can at least get digital/non HD feeds, then that would be great).

[PrObLy]

What does it mean that the Fusion can decode QAM signals? Would this mean I could take advantage of my cable provider's digital cable services without buying the typical set-top box?

(I live in Canada, so a true OTA HD solution isn't really available for me -- but if I can at least get digital/non HD feeds, then that would be great).



I think it's a YMMV type thing.
Many cable companies will send the typical local HD channels Clear QAM, which the card can decode. However, you probably won't be able to get the encrypted 'pay' channels like ESPN HD, for example.
I've heard some cable companies even encrypt the standard local HD channels' signals too.