AboutMike Expertise Areas of expertise: PC Hardware, Peripherals, Barcode Scanners, Printers, and Applications, Basic Networking, Microsoft Applications. I am good at researching issues and have a lot of contacts. So if I can't directly answer a question I can likely find the answer.
Areas I won't be much help in: Apple Computers, Linux, older Networking topologies like Token Ring.
Experience I'm currently an IT Support Technician for a contract circuit
board manufacturer in Oregon, USA. I've been working on PCs from a hobby standpoint for better than 25 years. I've been doing it professionally for 3 years.
Expert: Mike Date: 6/27/2008 Subject: wireless keyboards and tv tunners
Question Do wireless keyboards work well with new desktop computers with vista, also do tv tunners do what they say they can do, record and watch tv?
Answer Wireless keyboards (and mice) are like most things, you get what you pay for.
If you're looking for a solid, dependable wireless keyboard then make sure you buy one that is decent quality. Microsoft actually makes some decent quality keyboards that range around $40-$70 for one that will probably be what you're looking for.
As far as Vista is concerned, most new keyboards work fine with it. Just check the box and make sure it says Vista Compatible on it and you'll be good.
The one negative to keep in mind is that wireless keyboards tend to go through batteries pretty hard. Some work with rechargeable batteries, some don't. So if you buy rechargeable just keep in mind that they might not work in the keyboard.
Most wireless keyboards have a little power switch on the bottom so for the sake of getting as much battery life as possible out of them always make sure to turn off the keyboard when it's not in use.
TV tuner cards do indeed work as they say they do. You can watch and record television on your computer. It essentially turns your PC into a digital video recorder. The only other thing needed is software and that generally comes with the card.
One thing to always make sure of is to make sure it's a good quality tuner card with a decent amount of video memory, probably at least 512MB. Also make sure it supports digital television, not analog, due to the elimination of analog TV signals soon.
Both ATi and nVidia make solid quality cards so just check around and see if one sounds good to you. Keep in mind as above, you get what you pay for so don't buy cheap card.
If needed you can find a make/model that sounds good to you and come back here and I'll give you an opinion on it before you spend the money.
