How to get an ATI ALL IN WONDER (AIW) card to work on Windows Vista

ATI does not (currently) support their TV tuner functionality on their ATI cards even though they are certified to run on Vista. This tutorial will teach you a way to get tuner functionality back to a point where you can use your card again. Note however, this tutorial will not get your MCEin Vista working with an ATI card.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Windows Vista
• ATI All in Wonder Card (tested with AIW 2006)
• Chris TV Lite Edition

1. First download the ATI Catalyst 7.2 Beta Vista Driver from:
   http://downloads.guru3d.com/download.php?det=1577
   
   You will need to install this driver and customize the install to include the T100 drivers.
2. After you reboot you will need to update these beta drivers, which includes your catalyst control center. Go to http://ati.amd.com/support/drivers/vista32/common-vista32.html
   
   You should install option 2.
   Catalyst Software Suite (32 bit) Multilanguage
   and suggested to install the AVIVO package if you can.
   
   Note if the ATI link is changed or updated from above, you can upgrade your catalyst drivers by going to the main ati page and picking your card. Running the newest version of the catalyst should update the drivers in the beta package you installed above. Reboot your computer.
3. Download ChrisTV lite (or if you want to support their excellent software one of their other packages) at:
   http://www.chris-tv.com/chrisdownload.php?action=count&id=2
   Note I am not affiliated with chris-tv, but I do like the software.
4. Reboot your computer.
5. You will want to go through the Tuner setup, selecting a combo card setup when prompted.
6. You will also want to allow ChrisTV to scan for channels, you can go through their documentation for all available features, but I will help you with one other important feature sound.
7. Many AIW cards do not have sound that is sent through the sound card, but instead over the pci-express bus. This being the case with my card you need to go into chris-tv and set this up. Right Click on Chris TV display window and choose program settings.
8. From the left pane, go down and click on driver settings.
9. Click advanced settings tab on the right hand side.
10. Click on Audio Settings
11. Check the box that says use TV card audio through PCI bus.
12. Restart ChrisTV, and enjoy watching your TV card again.

Tips & Warnings

• The lite version is free, if you need recording consider purchasing the pro version, or look into getting a program like VirtualVCR working.
• Microsoft will not allow this card to access its MCE because of DRM implications of using its recording software. Until ATI makes drivers or decoders that MS is happy with, this feature will remain unsupported with AIW cards.
• ATI and Microsoft do not support this method yet.