in8snotes

Repairing Ovation Guitars

by Al Watsky

December 27th, 2010, 04:44 PM
I repair guitars.
Tak and Ova. have different owners and factories AFIK. That from a sales rep who should know. May have another distributer.
Ovation has given many a guitar away to "endorser" types. Helps market the product.
On the plus side they are light weight, generally are very playable and have a serviceable pickup.
I have played several that sounded great ! Luck of the draw a good top will sound good.
The Adamas line is the high end the low end is the Applause.
The difficulty I have is that they don't repair easily. Their bracing is "unusual" and tall.
Its difficult to clamp in certain ways because of the bowl back. All of their glues are synthetic, many of the materials used are synthetic. The bridges and braces and all other materials are glued together using cyano and or epoxy which makes the instruments difficult or impossible to repair effectively .
I have a nylon in my shop now that has had the bridge reglued 2 times by Kaman and has come off again.
It was glued onto the top with a gully of cyano under the bridge that is at least 1/16th of an inch thick.
It doesn't allow for an effective repair using normal methods.
It is possible that the top was bleached or otherwise treated to accept the very thick poly finish , which made the bridge fail in the first place.
When the tops crack on an ovation you have a devil of a time making things right because the top is glued to the plastic back using cyano .
None of their build method favors longevity, none of their methods have anything to do with guitars in any way. You can not reset the necks normally.
If you look inside of one you are confronted with a mess of major proportions. Dripping glue , unsanded and ill fit braces. Mistake after mistake covered with gobs of non removable glue.
I refuse them under normal circumstances.
The one in now is a charity case.
I have repaired some "celebrity" owned ovations while under contract.
There is a butt for every saddle.
They have their place in the market.
YMMV

from http://www.tdpri.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-251040.html

Last saved: 10/01/2012
Links: /media/music / ovations.txt

Reflections on Bardic Circle

I'm almost embarrassed to send anyone the latest Bardic Circle CD after listening to the Revelwood tracks Bragg gave me. While the Revelwood recordings are neither polished or perfect, they all display great musicality and originality. The stuff I've been doing of late seems to lack both of these characteristics. It's gotten me to start thinking about making a change musically, we'll see. The first three CDs I did were when Tim and I were spending a lot of time together in 2006-2008. We would invite other folks over to play with us, and I did a lot of the recordings by myself (many without Tim) just tracking the various instruments. After 2008 we started playing more seriously with Sport and Cate (and Sean) and what got recorded became more limited. We were no longer practicing at my place, but over at Sport's so we didn't have the gear - and we were trying to create a new sound. Then we ended up doing gigs and our practices were more geared toward that goal. As Tim started having less time to get together with us, we transitioned to recording so we could get some of the tunes down before they disappeared entirely, but it was too late. We had a couple recording sessions and Tim and Sean were apparently totally out of the picture (hopefuly this is only temporary, but it seems unlikely), and as Samhain 2011 approached and it was rumored that there was likely to be a fairly large turn out, I decided to attempt to put together a collection which represented what we had been doing for these three years. We didn't have a lot of time, but I brought the recording stuff out to Sports several times to capture some of the stuff we three had been working on alone this year, and I dug into the old recordings to try to find tunes with Tim and Sean that were worthy. I'm a bit disappointed with the result, but happy that I took the time to compile it anyway, because while it doesn't really do our efforts over these years justice - it does serve as a marker in time so we don't forget the great times we had together doing this stuff.

Last saved: 11/23/2011
Links: /media/music / bardiccircle.txt

How to transcode FLV to mp3

post by Loubie, Apr 14, 08
http://blog.hartwork.org/?p=58

This method allows you to extract the audio using VLC grafical user interface. The mp3 file generated will also play in other media players like Winamp, Windows MP and Real:

1. Open the flv file with VLC and stop it as soon as it starts playing.
2. Open the VLC Wizard by clicking on File> Wizard…
3. Select Transcode/Save to File. Next
4. Select your file from the Playlist. Next
5. Check only the Transcode Audio checkmark, Leave Video unchecked). Select 192 KB BRate, and MP3 as the Audio codec. Next
6. Select MPEG-1 for encapsulation method. Save the file with any name, but with the extension MPG.(Don’t use MP3 at this time). Press Finish.

Once the bar runs it course, repeat exactly from 1 through 6, except for: a) Choose the MPG file you just created as your input file, b) Change the encapsulation method as RAW and b) Save the new file with the extension MP3.

Last saved: 07/20/2010
Links: /media/music / flv2mp3.txt

ACDC's logo in ASCII

        ,.             .s.                        .s.              .s.
     ,d$$$$b.        ,d$$$b.                 ,s$$$$$$$$s.        ,d$$$b.
   ,d$$$$$$$$b.   ,d$$$$$$$$b.      ssssss 4$$$$$$$$$$$$$b.   ,d$$$$$$$$b.
  $$$$$$`$$$$$$$ d$$$$$`$$$$$$b    d$$$$$'   $$$$$$`$$$$$$$b $$$$$$`$$$$$$b
  $$$$$$  $$$$$$ $$$$$$  "$$P"    $$$$$P     $$$$$$  "$$$$$$ $$$$$$  "$$P"
  $$$$$$  $$$$$$ $$$$$$          $$$$$P      $$$$$$   $$$$$$ $$$$$$
  $$$$$$ee$$$$$$ $$$$$$         $$$$$$$$$$"  $$$$$$   $$$$$$ $$$$$$
  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$        d$$$$$$$$'    $$$$$$   $$$$$$ $$$$$$
  $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ $$$$$$  .s.      d$$$P      $$$$$$   $$$$$$ $$$$$$  .s.
  $$$$$$  $$$$$$ $$$$$$bd$$$$b.  d$$P'       $$$$$$.s$$$$$$$ $$$$$$bd$$$$b.
 ,d$$$$$bd$$$$$b."$$$$$$$$$$$P" d$$'       zd$$$$$$$$$$$$$"  "$$$$$$$$$$$P"
 "$$$$$$""$$$$$P"  "$$$$$$$$"  ;$'          "$$$$$$$$$$P"      "$$$$$$$$"
  "S$S"   "S$S"       "S$S"    '               """"""""           "S$S"

Last saved: 05/06/2010
Links: /media/music / acdc.txt

Art Scene

In the very early 90s, before the internet was available to regular folks the BBS (Bulletin Board System) scene was where the geeks were. For those who weren't into it, it involved using a PC and a modem to dial into other people's computers where software running there provided an electronic forum. The BBS documentary tells the story of the BBS, but this episode describes how the ASCI art scene grew in this medium as a competition between what is a lot like "gangs" of grafitti artists. Some of the art that was produced by the time the "art packs" were coming out was flat out amazing.

Artscene tells the rarely-heard history of the ANSI Art Scene that thrived in the BBS world, where art was currency and battles waged over nothing more than pure talent.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-8368209864515842287#

Last saved: 04/23/2010
Links: /media/graphics / artscene.txt

Re: Set dances?

(from: http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/206/comments)

As a dancer and musician I hope I can help out here. It seems to me that this is the complete list of traditional sets danced throughout the world:
The BlackBird - These first four are required when
The Garden of Daisies - doing your TCRG (Teacher's Exam)
The Job of Jourbey Work - and ADCRG (Judge's exam)
St Patricks Day - .
Three Sea Captains
King of the Fairies
The White Blanket
Jockey To The Fair

A list of the remaining 'standard' set dances can be found on http://www.irishsetdances.net/tunes/ with the minimum speeds set down by An Coimisiun. (The minimum speed for Is The Big Man Within is 114 for 9/8 step, and 69 for 6/8 set). But these 30 are only a small subset of the some 80 set dances I know, some beautiful tunes have been left out that are thankfully still danced by the other organisations apart from An Coimisiun. Including The Four Masters, The Storyteller, The Wandering Musician, The Galtee Hunt (posted recently), The Fiddler Round The Fairy Tree, The Roving Pedlar, The Blue Eyed Rascal, The Piper's Dream, Planxty Hugh O'Donnell, ... need I go on?

Hope this helps,

GK

Last saved: 02/15/2010
Links: /media/music / setdances.txt

Tempo of traditional tunes

(from http://www.thesession.org/discussions/display/7222)

If you are playing for yourself then please yourself. If you are playing for an audience (performance/concert/gig) then play whatever you think the punters will enjoy without compromising yourself or the music too much. If it is a session it will depend on the mix and mood of other musicians.
If it is for dancers then this another whole question.
From Kevin Warrens and Colm Keoghs CD
Category Dance Tempo
Beginners Reel (122)
Beginners Light Jig/Figure Jig (116)
Beginners Slip Jig(128)
Beginners Single Jig(132
Beginners Treble Jig(88)
Beginners Hornpipe(138)
Intermediate/PreOpen Reel(116)
Intermediate/Pre Open Slip Jig(116)
Intermediate /PreOpen Single Jig(118)
Intermediate/PreOpen Jig(76)
Intermediate/PreOpen Hornpipe(116)
Traditional Set Dance-St. Patrick's Day(90)
Traditional SetDance-Blackbird(142)
Traditional Set Dance-Job of Journey Work(142)
Traditional Set Dance-Garden of Daisies(142)
Traditional Set Dance-Three Sea Captains(85)
Traditional Set Dance-King of the Fairies(133)
Open Reel(113)
Open Slip Jig(113)
Open Single Jig(116)
Open Jig(73)
Open Hornpipe(113)

Cheers
Donough

Last saved: 02/15/2010
Links: /media/music / tempos.txt

Bob on transposing instruments

ok got it. thought that sounded right. However, most band instruments are transposing instruments that music is transposed from concert pitch to the pitch of the instrument. For instance (by the way) when you are learning the fingerings for this tin whistle (which is really a "C-instrument"), you are really learning the 'standard' instrument fingering - that is to say, that for a standard 'wind' instrument, left hand 3-closed pads/holes is a 'G' fingering and both hands 6-closed pads/holes is a 'D'. These fingerings are basically the same for a flute, clarinet, sax, oboe, etc. But the actual frequency of a given fingered note varies with each of these instruments and that is according to what is called the "key of the instrument". For example, the tin whistle is really a C-instrument which means that fingering a C will result in a note of the same frequency as concert-C, which is the same as a C on a standard guitar, cello, or any other C instrument, and matches the C-note on a piano. An "A" on that instrument will be 440 Hz. Since you are learning the standard fingerings, you can play a C-flute with these same fingerings, no problem. I used to have a C-melody sax which I just threw away. These used to be very popular because they used standard fingerings and give concert-C pitches. No transpositions necessary. Play guitar or piano music directly. Trouble is, they were cheap and sound like crap and fall apart. Instead, a natural key for the tenor-sax is Bb. That means that since the horn itself is two half steps lower than concert pitch (or 10 half steps higher), you have to finger 2 half steps higher to get the same pitch as a concert instrument. That means that to play what sounds like a C on a piano, you have to finger a D on the tenor.... It is a bit tricky to explain quickly, but because tenor is flatted two times (2 half steps lower) the song would be transposed down 2 half steps to Bb (on the cycle of fifths) (two flats, Eb and Bb) to get the correct fingerings to match the key of the song. So if you call blues in "G" with one sharp then I know that I will play (finger) in "F" with only one flat (Bb). The other sax I play is alto which is in Eb which means I always think of as either 3 half steps lower or more frequently as 10 half-steps higher than concert-C.

Last saved: 01/05/2010
Links: /media/music / transposing-instruments.txt

About Charlie Brown music

@Alex: by the way, when you say "Charlie Brown music" you mean Vince Guaraldi's jazz compositions. One of my all time favorite Christmas shows is A Charlie Brown Christmas. There are a couple subtle things that made that Charlie Brown movie great - not least the lack of a laugh track. It's hard to find many kids shows without one, and personally I think they insult your intelligence. For another, they used real kids voices which was awesome (although I can't imagine how much work that must have been!) and to include a jazz sound track is sheer genius, not to mention that Guaraldi's music is phenomenal.

Last saved: 10/29/2009
Links: /media/music / charliebrown.txt

Ovation Guitar notes

I own only two guitars, an acoustic-electric Ovation and a Gibson SG electic. Here's the specs on the Ovation, for reference:

SN 314779
Model 1612 - last made 1983 (at which time it sold for $705)
Custom Balladeer

DISCONTINUED ITEMS Custom Balladeer
Model 1612

Body Type: Deep Bowl
Top: Sitka Spruce A
Bracing: Ovation Modified X
Scale Length: 25 1/4"
Fretboard: Ebony
Fret Inlay: 15 Pearl
Bridge: Walnut
Pickup: Piezoelectric
Nutwidth: 1 11/16"
Machines: Deluxe Chrome

This may be wrong! I can't find this exact serial number in this list
http://www.ovationfanclub.com/serials.asp
or the one on
http://www.ovationguitars.com/?fa=codesix
302670-303319 1984 Elites Only
315001-339187 1984 Balladeers Only
(1971-Present (Except Adamas) (Number range)

Gives
First Digit: FIXED ID (almost always "1" except as listed)
Second Digit = TYPE: 1. Acoustic roundbacks (also semi-hollowbody electrics)
Third & Forth Digits = DEPTH/TYPE: (Acoustics and Acoustic/Electrics)
Folklore or Josh White (deep bowl)
COLOR CODE: (Follows hyphen after model number)
Beige/Adamas and ClearVintage Natural 87C and Nutmeg Lennon

Last saved: 11/03/2008
Links: /media/music / my-ovation.txt

Creating Motorola RAZR V3 ringtones

from http://www.wirelessforums.org/alt-cellular-cingular/how-transfer-pictures-video-ringtones-motorola-razr-v3-14006.html
01-02-2007, 09:05 PM
Robin Colleen Moore
Guest

Posts: n/a
Default Re: How to transfer pictures, video, & ringtones for Motorola RAZR V3
My first ringtones were distorted and almost blew the speakers so here's
what I found out that I WISHED I had known when I created my first set of
ringtones.

Hints on creating Motorola RAZR V3 ringtones.

• Create a 21 to 25 second WAV file using Audacity freeware on WinXP
• Don't go any higher than a sampling rate of 22.05 Khz
• Effect Fade In at about 2% and Effect Fade Out at around 19%
• Make sure you "Split Stereo Track" into a single track
• Then, close one of the two tracks
• Ctrl+A, Quick Mix,
• Increase volume with Ctrl+A, Effect, Equalize to +9 db at 1000 Hz
• Remove base with Ctrl+A, Effect, High Pass Filter, 150 Hz
• Compress to MP3 with RazorLame freeware
• Set constant bitrate by unchecking the variable bit rate (VBR)
• Set bitrate 32 kbps mono, set sampling rate to 22.05 kHz
• The final ringtone file size should be less than 120 kb on disk

Transfer the ringtone to your Motorola RAZR V3 using Motorola Phone Tools
or P2KTools.

Last saved: 04/14/2008
Links: /media/hardware / razr-ringtones.txt

Select Behind

from http://www.illustratortechniques.com/stroke_091407.html
The Stroke September 14th, 2007 By Press Editor

To select an object hidden behind another object, select the top object, and then press Command-Option-left bracket ([) (PC: Control-Option-left bracket). That will select the next object, below the selected object. Keep pressing the same shortcut to select the next object down. To select back the other way (Select>Next Object Above), press Command-Option-right bracket (]) (PC: Control-Option-right bracket).

Last saved: 03/01/2008
Links: /media/graphics / illustrator-select.txt

Concertina notes

also see - http://www.concertina.com/merris/bibliography/english-tutors.htm

from http://www.wikihow.com/Play-the-Concertina
# There are several types of concertinas, but you'll likely only run across the two major ones: Anglo-German and English. The Anglo concertina plays different notes on push and pull (diatonic, much like a harmonica) whereas an English concertina plays the same notes on push and pull (chromatic, like a piano accordion). The easiest way to tell the two apart from pictures is that the Anglo has a wrist-strap while the English has a thumb strap with a metal "J" at the bottom for the pinky finger.

# An Anglo is good for Irish music or folk music, with push/pull on the bellows quickly changing the notes. An English is more versatile having additional buttons for the accidentals (sharps and flats). If you are used to playing accordion or want more choices in the music you play choose an English.

An Anglo will typically have a particular chord associated with it "C/G" or "G/D" for example, and have rows of chords. An English will have columns of buttons, the middle 2 columns are the natural or "white notes", and the outer two columns of buttons are the accidentals. A 30 button English will have some missing places for sharps/flats, whereas a 48 button English should have all 4 columns filled with buttons.

A concertina has about the same range as a violin. Sheet music for the violin is playable on the concertina.

# Chords are playable on concertinas, but start with simple melodies first. On an English or Duet concertina just about any major or minor chord can be made, if you are dexterous enough. An Anglo is more limited in that regard.
Because it is diatonic (different note on push/pull) an Anglo can be more difficult to play for experienced musicians with other instruments. A lot depends on the type of music or sound desired. For more questions ask on a Concertina forum such as at www.concertina.net. Some players prefer one over the other than many players do have strong opinions about their chosen style.

Last saved: 02/24/2008
Links: /media/music / concertina.txt

How to compress speech in lame

Wednesday, March 28th, 2007from http://howto.dubbo.org/category/audio/

I’ve been playing round with getting good quality compressed speech.
Here’s what I’ve found.

1. SMALLEST FILE SIZE ACCEPTABLE QUALITY.
For very small file size (4MB for 20 minutes) and acceptable quality,
use the LAME encoder (the the separate article on Itunes songs to find out about the LAME encoder) with the following arguments in the ‘Encoding options’ Box:

-V 9 –vbr-new -mm -h -q 0

2. An even better option than above but slightly more complicated is:
Firstly convert the file to 22khz sample rate and mono, (eg in Audacity)
then use the following LAME settings:

-V 8 –vbr-new -h -q 0

3. BEST QUALITY AND ACCEPTABLE FILE SIZE.
For about twice the size files (8MB for 20 minutes of speech) but very very good quality try this in LAME encoder:

–preset voice

OR

-V 8 –vbr-new -h -q 0

Last saved: 08/14/2007
Links: /media/music / lame-settings.txt

The artwork is by the artist Michael Korb. His idea was to create children's book out of the story, and asks on his website for anyone who can get Ian Anderson to see it, or help him get it published to please contact him. I didn't get his permission to do this and I wish I had put a little more work into it (I was just learning how to use iMovie at the time), but it is what it is.

For the originals see:
http://www.michaelkorb.com/Story.htm

Last saved: 02/26/2007
Links: /media/video / jethro.txt

ABC music notation

I played 'cello for many years and then traditional Irish music on guitar as my brother played fiddle. I played in the Dowling Orchestra for awhile when a friend had told me they needed Cellists, but it had been so long and I wasn't very good. After lots of practice, I was getting a bit better, but that was many years ago now. I wanted to get back into the 'cello, and remembered the ABC notation system I had run across awhile ago. I thought it would be easy to find some kind of editor that could transpose the (mainly) treble clef stuff I found online into bass clef (since I would prefer to read bass clef than struggle with the treble). It seems like I can almost do this in BarFly.

I ran across a wonderful site by Laura Conrad, http://www.laymusic.org/ which, incidentally is run by bloxsom! Laura sings medieval music and has transcribed a multitude of songs into ABC notation, and provides them on her site. http://www.laymusic.org/music-publish.html However, BarFly has trouble with her stuff (although it can read other ABC notations fine), in fact the lillypond software has troubles with her files too - I've given up on reading them for now.

Lillypond
http://lilypond.org/

Open source music engraver program

Mutopia
http://www.mutopiaproject.org/

All music in the Mutopia Project is free to download, print out, perform and distribute. There are now 592 pieces of music available!

Last saved: 12/04/2005
Links: /media/music / abc.txt

Beatles - Rubber Soul, 1965

1. Drive My Car
2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
3. You Won't See Me
4. Nowhere Man
5. Think For Yourself
6. The Word
7. Michelle
8. What Goes On
9. Girl
10. I'm Looking Through You
11. In My Life
12. Wait
13. If I Needed Someone
14. Run For Your Life

Last saved: 09/03/2005
Links: /media/music / Beatles-rubbersoul.txt

In response to John's post about CBGBs, NYC

I was only there once - with you I think, amidst a sea of blue and
green pointy-haired punks. What a dive. Hey, if more places like this
can't make the $40,000 / mo rent in the city, maybe they'll move out
to the island and we could actually get a music scene here someday?
I mean a 'music' scene - not a rave scene, and no more rappers, thanks -
we already have our fill of that.

Last saved: 03/13/2005
Links: /media/music / CBGBs.txt

Deep Space Nine History from Season 5

Ronald D. Moore serves as co-executive producer of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine. Moore
joined ST:DS9's production team as supervising producer in its third season.

For those of you who've been away for a while....

The Dominion War began at the end of Season Five and pits the
Federation/Klingon/Romulan Alliance against the Dominion and the Cardassians. The
Cardassians joined the Dominion under the leadership of Gul Dukat, who saw the
alliance as a way to restore the power and prestige of the Cardassian Empire which had
fallen on hard times ever since its retreat from the Bajoran Sector.

The Dominion is ruled by the Founders, a race of Shapeshifters, who exercise their power
through their Vorta underlings and Jem'Hadar soldiers. The Vorta are
genetically-engineered to worship the Founders as gods. The Vorta are also cloned, with
each succeeding copy receiving a download of the precessor's memories and
experiences. The Jem'Hadar are also genetically engineered to worship the Founders,
but are also addicted to a drug called Ketracel White as a way of insuring their undying
loyalty to the Founders.

The Founder on Cardassia has no name, but is referred to simply as the Female
Shapeshifter. She spent a great deal of time with Odo, trying to bring him back home to
his people in the Gamma Quadrant, but has met with limited success. Odo clearly wants
to go home to his people, but is repelled by the Dominion. (Also, Odo is in a relationship
with Kira, and has said that if it weren't for Kira, he would have returned to the Link one
way or the other.)

The Founders themselves have contracted a deadly disease which is affecting the entire
Great Link (the pool of "goo" in which they naturally live). If a cure is not found in time, the
entire race could be wiped out.

The Dominion's aim is to conquer the Alpha Quadrant and bring their version of "order" to
the galaxy.

Cardassia is now ruled by Legate Damar, who once served under Gul Dukat. Following
the retaking of Deep Space Nine by Starfleet, Dukat fell into Federation hands and
suffered a bout of mental illness, thus rendering himself incapable of leading Cardassia
on both counts. Damar became his sucessor, but is now chafing under the thumb of the
head Vorta, Weyoun.

Dukat himself was last seen leading a cult of Bajoran Pagh-wraith worshipers. In Bajoran
mythology, the Pagh-wraiths are the evil antithesis of the benevolent Prophets who live in
the Celestial Temple or the Wormhole, as our Starfleet characters refer to it. It was a
Pagh-wraith which killed Jadzia Dax at the the end of Season Six. Dukat's fascination with
the Pagh-wraiths, who seem intent on bringing harm to Bajor in their plan to retake the
Temple from the Prophets, goes deeper than a simple ploy. Dukat has found something
meaningful in the Pagh-wraiths, and it's not clear what he plans for the future.

Sisko has been told by the Prophets that he will face a great test and that he is "of Bajor."
What that means is unclear, but clearly the Captain is fast approaching his destiny. Sisko
is currently in a serious relationship with Kasidy Yates, a freighter captain.

Worf is dealing with the presence of Jadzia's successor, Ezri being aboard the station.
After Jadzia died, the Dax symbiont was transferred to young Ezri Tigan, in an emergency
procedure. As a result, Ezri was completely unprepared for the experience of being Joined
and has struggled with the memories of her past "lives" ever since. There is palpable
tension between her and Worf, who is extremely uncomfortable with having this "ghost" of
his dead wife walking around the station.

Both Quark and Bashir have expressed more than casual interest in Ezri.

Morn still drinks a lot.

Last saved: 03/02/2005
Links: /media/video/trek / deep.space.nine.up.to.date.txt

Shuttle PC suggestions

First off lets revise your setup a little here:

HITACHI HARD DRIVES: Now do you REALLY want a HArd drive that just reuses IBM drives? the IBM drives were the worst drives out there and even IBM got into a LOT of legal troubles over those drives. Do not be fooled by their huge capicities. Their drives are junk. So are Maxtors. Go Seagate for a nice big 5 year warrenty and reliability. Or Samsung or Western Digital.

6600GT: By far the most unreliable video card series out there. If you must have a Geforce card then get a 6800GT. If not then go to the superior company and get a ATI card. They run cooler, quieter, and better then any Geforce card. Do a search on 6600GT on these forums and you will see reports of caps blowing up, dying, overheating, artifacting...the whole works. Save your self the pain and hassle of that series.

TV TUNER CARD: Currently the only TV TUNER cards that work with MCE 2005 are as follows:

ATI E- HOME WONDER
ATI TV WONDER ELITE
ATI HDTV WONDER
NVIDIA TV TUNER MCE
HAUPPAUGE PVR MCE350
HAUPPAUGE PVR MCE500 ( DUAL TUNER GOODNESS IN ONE CARD )
ATI ALL IN WONDER 9000 and up ( requires hacked drivers )

all of these cards use HARDWARE ENCODING except for the AIWs

Keep in mind that if you decide to go AMD MCE 2005 will not work correctly for tv as it requires a hyperthreading CPU. This has been bypassed in my hacked drivers....but has not been tested in a 64 bit setup yet.

Also keep in mind that if you decide to go with a P chassis like that SB95P that it has no normal PCI slot...so a normal TV TUNER card will not fit until they make PCIe1x versions. ( soon to come according to ATI )

Building your own PC is more rewarding and cheaper. Go for it!

Hope that this helps you out.

-------
Sudhian Rules!!!!!
SHUTTLE SB95P
INTEL PENTIUM 530J 3GHZ
CORSAIR VALUESELECT 512MB DDR2 RAM
ABIT X600 PRO 256MB
NEC ND-3520A BLK DVD BURNER
WD 80GB IDE HDD
WINDOWS XP MEDIA CENTER EDITION 2005
MAXTOR AND XFX AND 6600GT's SUCK BALLS

Last saved: 02/21/2005
Links: /media/hardware / shuttle-sugg.txt