Usefulness of a TV Tuner

I have narrowed my search to two HP computers, and they each come with a TV tuner.

http://www.compusa.com/products/product_info.asp?pfp=BROWSE&N=200334+400547+502424&Ne=502422&product_code=343931&Pn=Pavilion_dv6275us_Notebook

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=8223282&type=product&productCategoryId=pcmcat103700050028&id=1166840116155

How useful is a TV tuner on a computer? Does anyone use them, or are they sort of novelties that are fun to have but not worth any extra money for them?

By the way, if you are so kind as to look at the specs of these two computers and include any feedback, I would appreciate it.

Thanks.
Bill

 

It's quite beneficial esp. if you're on the road or sit behind your notebook for most of the day and would like everything on 1 screen. However, do NOT get the Pinnacle Pro ****Stick because that device is truly a piece of junk and they do not stand by their product. Their tech support and support in general is poor and warranty deceptive.

 

but don't you need some kind of cable feed? how can you get tv on the road?

 

with a small antenna, you can watch on the road if you do not have cable

its not a bad thing per say

 

They both have the best video cards for those HP models, though the 17" has the better card of the two (GF 7600). The 15.4" has a fast processor (1.83GHz v. 1.6GHz), though.

The prices you found are great! I would look at Costco.com and built your perfect HP through their website to see how much it is compared to the preconfigured models (add ~$50 if you have to get a membership)

If you haven't already, look at the reviews on this website for both models, before you buy.

 

Get the HP from bestbuy. I ordered mine 2 days ago, its a suberb notebook!

 

A TV tuner is likely not a bad thing but not a needed thing either. I could see it as interesting if you travel and do not have access to streaming TV over the web. But then again if you travel you might know they have TV's in your room already, right?

Personally I would rather use a Sling Box connected to my DTV when on the road or out of the house. A bit more costly (ok a LOT more costly...but a cool toy none the less... ) But if I ever do this I might not get ANY work done...

As a footnote, if you are wanting an HP buy from COSTCO. If by chance you do not like the system or get a haunted one their 6mos. return policy simply cannot be beat anywhere. Even if you pay an extra $50 or whatever I imagine it's worth the cost. I would never purchase anything from BestBuy. Open it up and pretty much it's yours forever unless you pay them extra for the privilege of getting a refund.

And either system you show looks GREAT for the price...

 

ya know I did some peeking around the web and the dv9235nr you found from BestBuy...seriously is an AWESOME DEAL. Best I can find on the Costco site is just under $1600 for the same system config. And having used an HP dv9033us for a while, I can say it's a wonderful system. A few things you might need to get used to but nothing really serious.

I take back the mean things I said about BestBuy...saving $300ish is worth the trade-off's... Saving money is a good thing.

 

Grumpy,

Thanks for your response. I ordered the dv6275t from CompUSA earlier this morning and just now received notification that it has shipped. I really considered the 17 in. but felt the 15.4 would better suit my needs. Like the It's great to have good choices. For $1299.99 plus tax (reg. $1499.99 plus tax), it's the best I've seen for a comparable 15.4.

Bill

 

I like having TV Tuners. It allows you to record your programs, or watch TV when it is inconvenient to have the TV on. Overall, I think they are worth the money.

 

broadus:

EXCELLENT...congrats on getting a wonderful deal on a really mice system..hope ya have fun with it and also get some good use too...

 

Watch TV without moving to the lounge and also to record TV series

 

A tuner came with my HP 9035nr and I haven't used it once. I thought it might get used occasionally when I want to record something specific, but I haven't felt the need yet.

It did make me want to build a desktop HTPC though.

 

Circuit City has the same 17" HP for slightly lower, but it does have a slightly smaller hard drive

 

I had a TV tuner on my desktop. While I never used it to actually watch live tv because there was a TV right next to the computer. I used it as a DVR all the time. With Windows MCE, it downloaded the TV guide automatically from the internet, programmed itself to what channel was what, and could set it to record specific shows, a series, only new showings, or new and reruns.

 

Thanks, Grumpy. It came yesterday and I've enjoyed getting to know it. The more I use it, the better I like it. Saving $200 didn't hurt either.

Bill

 

I have a TV Tuner, but I rarely find that I use it (mines an PCMCIA card one rather than built in).

Overall they have their uses, and if it's not much more I'd say get one just to have it, but if it's more than say $50 more for JUST the TV Tuner don't bother (IMHO).

I use mine sometimes to watch TV/record TV and also to play PS2 games using my laptop screen (when I'm on the road).

 

What's wrong with buying from www.hp.com ? You get free shipping from them...

S.

 

Nothing at all is wrong with buying from hp.com. I configured a notebook four years ago and bought from there.

However, I found a deal at compusa.com ($200 in savings plus free shipping, BTW), that was significantly less than hp.com. The HP at CompUSA with the tuner was less than what I could configure the same computer at shopping.hp.com without the tuner. Plus, I got it in a few days instead of 2 or 3 weeks.

Sometimes, though, the HP site has a really good discount that makes configuring one there very attractive. Plus, you can build it exactly as you like. I bought from CompUSA because of the excellent sale last week and because the computer was configured just like I wanted. And it was like I got a free TV tuner (though I realize that nothing is really free! ).

Bill