TV Tuner - internal vs USB2

[sgs]

Was leaning towards USB2 (external) type for portability, but heard that external type may cause bottleneck. Request comment.

Leaning towards the Hauppage series but unsure if I need NTSC tuner or PAL/SECAM tuner. Request guidance.

If I go Hauppage internal with one of the MCE versions, is there a freeware substitute for Sage TV or Beyond TV that will compensate for my not having MCE?

For popularity, leaning towards the Hauppage series and would like dual tuner version. Heard that the WinTV-PVR-500 MCE type A card is good but the type B card (samsung tuners) are bad. How can I avoid the type B version when buying online?

Do I need 2gb memory? Can I avoid buying a sound card?

My rig:

P4-3000 MHz, 1gb memory
ATI Radeon 9200 SE 128MB AGP 8X Graphics Card.
aopen ax4c II mobo with onboard sound (no other sound card yet), supports agp.
plenty of 7200rpm storage, sata internal and ata external.
Win XP pro (not MCE edition)
10 yr old, 32 inch sd Quasar TV with coax and composite inputs

[Midknyte]

why would you need portability for your tv tuner? I'd stick with the pci version.

GBPVR is a good MCE substitute:
http://www.denguru.com/2006/04/25/ht...ap_with_gbpvr/

here's a good resource:
http://www.htpcforums.com/

[mobo57]

Was leaning towards USB2 (external) type for portability, but heard that external type may cause bottleneck. Request comment.

Yes external USB's can cause bottlenecks. Go internal

Leaning towards the Hauppage series but unsure if I need NTSC tuner or PAL/SECAM tuner. Request guidance.

Where are you located at? US, NTSC, Europe, PAL.

If I go Hauppage internal with one of the MCE versions, is there a freeware substitute for Sage TV or Beyond TV that will compensate for my not having MCE?

There are many freeware programs out there that will do just about anything you want with your tuner card, if you get the right one. Hauppauge's come with a very good bundle.

Do I need 2gb memory? It would help.

Can I avoid buying a sound card? Depends on what you are going to be doing.