Which External TV Tuner for Audiovox 6600 recording playback

[Kitre]

My laptop running MCE 2000 died, and I need to purchase a new one and was looking at XP Pro with an upgrade to Vista Business. (I use for small biz and home). My question is do I NEED MCE software to add an external tv tuner to record tv for playback to my Audiovox 6600 (Media Player 9 NOT 10, 2003 SE) or do some provide software which will work so MCE 2005/Vista Home Premium is not needed? If so, which external tv tuners and formats work...Pinnacle, Hauppagge, etc.?

I've used Orb before but it doesn't work well with regular Vision. I've set up my husband's 6700 and the stream looks good since its EVDO.

I really think I need a good external tuner for new laptop that I can record in some format the 6600 running WMP9 likes (what formats are they-can't find???) Any suggestions on tuners?

Kitre