Five plus years ago, there weren't many "must have extras" to include on your do-it-yourself list of desired PC components, minus that relatively expensive Sound Blaster and a pricey, yet affordable, 3D Graphics card. In fact there weren't too many extras to consider in a configuration other than perhaps an optical drive of some sort, or maybe a SCSI controller for a Jaz drive or Plextor burner.  Fast forward a few years and the whole scene has changed. We've got a lot of new technology now, and a larger selection of it, to provide solutions for a new breed of digital multimedia technology; MP3 players, PDAs, TV tuners, DVD recorders, Wireless Mice, and Wireless Keyboards to name a few.

With all of these new enhancements most computer users, even those not so familiar with the latest and greatest technology, know enough to be willing to dip slightly into their budget for a that faster GPU or CPU, in an effort to make room for a TV tuner. This goes doubly for the TV and movie aficionado. A TV tuner is still by definition an "extra," in our book, but who doesn't want a digital copy of their favorite TV episodes or better yet, TV in a window while you work? Then there are those living in limited quarters like dorms rooms and small apartments.  A TV tuner on a computer doesn't completely replace the true blue TV-tube unless you have a large monitor but it sure does save a lot of space.

Let's look at just such a solution, as we get into ATI's TV Wonder Elite and explain some of the core technology used in TV tuners, in general.

Features and Specifications What You Get

We need to make a slight disclaimer - This article is partially a crash course in TV tuners and relative quality. So, if you end up unhappy with your current config in your entertainment room or personal video recorder (aka PVR) card after this, don't say we didn't warn you.