The big advantage I see with a HTPC over set-top DVR's is the ability to upgrade easily. When my Series 2 TiVo (with a lifetime service contract) recently started acting up, I was forced to replace the hard drive. Something I would not suggest for the novice computer user. But eventually my trusty Series 2 is going to go completely belly up and my lifetime service contract will go with it. I needed options and considering the rate at which I upgrade my computer, building a HTPC with last years parts was a very attractive option. Cruising the SnapStream (BeyondTV) web site, I noticed a HD capture card in one of their bundles and decided to contact the maker directly. I talked to a very nice woman by the name of Carol Wong and a short time later I had a Dvico FusionHTDV5 Gold Plus TV Capture Card delivered to my door. Dvico doesn't have quite the same recognition of say Hauppage, but neither brands are exactly household names. Dvico was founded in 1998. And in 2002 Dvico introduced the very first software based HDTV card. Dvico is also the parent company of TViX, a maker of stand alone multimedia devices. With many awards to their credit and partnerships with industry leaders such as BeyondTV, make no mistake Dvico is a serious player.



Link: PC Apex