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<blockquote data-quote="mm1352000" data-source="post: 690975" data-attributes="member: 82144">Not a dumb question...The problem is that some analog tuners require two small pieces of software called encoders in order to function. One encoder for video, one encoder for audio. Their job is to convert the raw TV output from the tuner into something (technically: usually an MPEG 2 stream, but sometimes an h.264 stream) that the rest of the computer can deal with. These encoders are relatively hard to come by. The tuner manufacturers often (but not always) provide encoders with the tuner, however performance (CPU required), video/audio quality and compatibility of these encoders varies quite widely. This thread provides three or four encoder options for those users that weren't supplied with encoders by their tuners' manufacturer, as well as users who would like to try other encoders to see if they provide better quality or performance than the ones they already use. Hope that makes sense <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile&nbsp; &nbsp; :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />.BTW: those analog tuners that do not require this software have dedicated hardware to do the job (so-called &quot;hardware encoders&quot;). Hardware encoders do exactly the same job as software encoders. Tuners with hardware encoders generally produce better quality video and audio, but tend to be more expensive too.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="mm1352000, post: 690975, member: 82144"] Not a dumb question... The problem is that some analog tuners require two small pieces of software called encoders in order to function. One encoder for video, one encoder for audio. Their job is to convert the raw TV output from the tuner into something (technically: usually an MPEG 2 stream, but sometimes an h.264 stream) that the rest of the computer can deal with. These encoders are relatively hard to come by. The tuner manufacturers often (but not always) provide encoders with the tuner, however performance (CPU required), video/audio quality and compatibility of these encoders varies quite widely. This thread provides three or four encoder options for those users that weren't supplied with encoders by their tuners' manufacturer, as well as users who would like to try other encoders to see if they provide better quality or performance than the ones they already use. Hope that makes sense :). BTW: those analog tuners that do not require this software have dedicated hardware to do the job (so-called "hardware encoders"). Hardware encoders do exactly the same job as software encoders. Tuners with hardware encoders generally produce better quality video and audio, but tend to be more expensive too. [/QUOTE]

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