Problems with tv-tuner cards

TV-tuner cards provide video inputs for a computer (cable, video in) as well as audio inputs (FM radio antenna input) and various other inputs.

For some reason, many a time these cards have been prone to be hell for computer users. Problems running the proper application and various driver conflicts. Although these problems can be resolved with either searching for documentation on the product, or entering in keywords of the problem into a search engine as well as the product name, can often resolve the issue.

My problem was much more severe. I had an MSI TV@nywhere MASTER TV-Tuner card. It caused AGP problems with my video card. Specifically, no direct3d tests could be completed in dxdiag. Also, AGP texture acceleration was 'unavailable'. When i tried to run direct3d tests, this is the error message that was displayed on the screen:

The problem was so bad that I could not run my 3daccelerator-required games, unles hardware Acceleration was turned down all the way:

So, I made it a high priority to fix this problem I searched everywhere on the web for a solution (using Google) finding many forums for Netmeeting and/or PCI Texture size being too large and/or directx version issues/bugs. I finally figured out that it was my TV-Tuner card. I found this out by simply removing the card. All of a sudden every thing worked. I uninstalled all TV-Tuner card software and drivers. By the way, none of the drivers had any conflicts. Then, I put the card in a different PCI slot. No difference, the exact same problem arose. I returned the product and my computer became quite happy from that point on.

Many problems have been established with tv-tuner cards, perhaps because of all the resources they hog? Anyway, until I figure out what the tv-tuner card is screwing up, I am not going to buy another tv-tuner card because 1. It costs alot. 2. I don't have time right now to do it -- I will at a later date.

Well. it looks like the problem has risen from the dead and now I point to a windows update, however I am uncertain which one as of yet, or if that really is the problem. Get back to you on that in a few weeks. RIght now I do not have time to explore the problem.