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| Date Reviewed: 11/03/2006 |
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Strengths: Relatively simple setup; It works!
Weaknesses: WinTV software isn't that good;
Quality of TV signal is affected by computer's performance;
must manually update software;
radio antennae stinks!
Summary: Bought this product from a well-kwown computer chain store when it was on sale!
Setup wasn't bad but all the wiring involved made it frustrating! Just connect the cable to the device then to the computer.
Software setup was relatively easy. WinTV2000 software to view shows is Not that good though it does work!
No option is available for users to be notified that software updates are available. Must manually check every few months for driver/software updates!
Forget the automatic scan! MANUALLY enter the channels and their NAMES to get it correct! This applies to BOTH the radio and television settings!
Scanning only helps with SOME channels found but NO NAMES!!! It's Time consuming for the scanning process and FRUSTRATING having to enter all the associated NAMES of the channels/stations.
After clicking the WinTV icon, there's a delay ~5-10 secs. from when the software pops up and opens the tv channel. Most likely it has to cache a portion of the signal before delivering it for viewing.
I have a 19" LCD monitor with a resolution of 1280x1024. The screen picture isn't that great like that of a television but it's good enough for a computer monitor. It'll probably look better with a higher-resolution display or HD connection.
The TV and Radio sound is good considering I have a high-quality sound card. The antennae really stinks because it's not powerful to bring in signals whether via TV or radio (esp. from the strong local stations).
Performance of the video is affected by the performance of the computer (i.e. buring a DVD) or download files while viewing the tv. You can tell when the sound does Not synche with the picture.
Overall, the product is pretty good. At least I'll still have the USB unit whenever I decide to later donate or upgrade my current computer or when I want to use it on my laptop.
It's still a bit pricey though for an External USB TV Tuner.
 100% of People (2/2) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 02/24/2005 |
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Strengths: Gives a great picture. In some instances, the picture is actally better than my TV. Included software works great. Also works great with SageTV, including the remote commands. USB2 is convenient.
Weaknesses: Had problems using this on a USB2 PCI card. Product would randomly reset on the USB2 hub. Problems were fixed when using directly off of the motherboard USB2.
Summary: Overall, I would say this is a great product. I use it to make my computer into a TiVo, but it's also good if you want to use it convert old VHS tapes to DVD. Although, for that use, there are probably cheaper PCI cards. I decided to go the USB2 route so that I could easily move it between different computers, but if you only have one computer than you should look at PCI cards that are available.
94% of People (17/18) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/05/2004 |
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 Installation on WinXp was not that easy. Ther are ... Strengths: Great Picture quality and Recording Quality.
Weaknesses: Difficult installation for Win XP, Win Tv2000 software not the best, needs improvment.
Summary: Installation on WinXp was not that easy. Ther are a lot of glitches and pauses while first few seconds of launching program. More options and control and an updated software bundle would definately help. Also the ability to control channels directly from the application w/o the help of a remote is lacking i.e skipping from channel 20 to 45 is not possible w.o the remote, whereas lots of other programs give you the ability to control channels from the software itself. Over all the qaulity is nice once you get it to setup BUT a few imporvments would make it alot better.
92% of People (23/25) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 06/19/2005 |
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Strengths: Easy to Install, Very good performance, versetile
Weaknesses: software is not impressive but operational. Radio is not that useful
Summary: I had to spend a $75 card from CompUSA so went for this one. Installation is quite a snap ... nothing much to expect. Just plug in all the cables, connect to one operational USB port and it will be recognized by XP. However in my case, I actually had to supply the driver (using there CD) as XP didn't find its driver (contrary to their manual claim). I think MCE version would carry that driver. But it really doen't make any difference.
After install it takes few minutes (may be 15 minutes or so) to scan the channels. Once it is done ... you can watch your TV in ur PC and it also provides all PVR features (like Pause, Record etc). It also works quite well for scheduled recording as it interfaces with TitanTV's guide. It actually opens up the WinTV2000 software in recording mode and switches to specific channel. I was expecting little bit sophestication there. Right now I have to ensure that I mute the PC or atleast make my other PC active so that people doesn't wake up in the middle of night when it starts recording. I shall dig up some moreresearch and then update.
However I like the Hardware mpg encoding which literally let you work on your PC while TV is been recorded or running.
Unlike others, I recieved ULEAD Movie Factory 3.0 SE ... which is a nice tool. Already recorded one show and created ISO from there. Don't want to burn DVD of everything ... rather keep the mpeg and use mce extender to watch it in TV. But the quality and other things are pretty neat so far.
Main purpose of purchasing this unit is to convert old tapes to mpeg ... and use this with MCE version of Windows. Haven't done either yet ... but will update as make those happen.
So far ... its working fine .. small tiny little unit with great power ... I would recommenbd it.
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 01/21/2005 |
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This item comes with several programs that are a g ...
Strengths: Powerful software package, built-in FM tuner.
Weaknesses: Customizing channels is a user-unfriendly pain.
Summary: This item comes with several programs that are a great complement to the hardware, and may make watching TV on a computer a better prospect than it was a few years ago. It can also bring in outside video (as from a camcorder) and FM radio stations (a ribbon antenna is included, but reserve some space if you intend to use it). The WinTV 2000 software fails miserably when one tries to customize channels (inputting the call letters, station name, etc.); this takes an annoying dance of mouse-clicks and typing that really gets on one's nerves after the 20th channel or so. If you, like me, have 50-plus on cable, beware.
89% of People (8/9) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/20/2004 |
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Strengths: Picture Quality, Installation, Ease of use, Connectivity options, FM Tuner
Weaknesses: Large, Eyesore in den with home theater
Summary: I bought this pvr because I wanted to add TV to my laptop and this is the only way to do it. It was vey easy to install as you plug it into a USB 2.0 slot and install the drivers. Nothing more. I didn't install the WinTV application that came with it because I am using Snapstream's Beyond TV program. I can watch and record tv through that program using the Hauppauge PVR. You can also listen to FM radio and connect a vcr or dvd player by svideo or a/v cables. Overall a great product especially if you don't want to open up your desktop computer or you have a laptop.
88% of People (7/8) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 09/12/2005 |
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Strengths: - Does a great job recording VHF/UHF signal to my PC. Took a little troubleshooting but now I am quite satisfied.
Weaknesses: -definately the software. Though that was totally resolved when I purchased Sage TV.
Summary: I had researched the PVR options fairly thoroughly before purchasing the Haupagge PVR USB II, but I was still a little uneasy. Now I am happy that I did not choose the ATI model. At first things did not work smoothly but after some troubleshooting, downloading a driver, buying Sage TV, and reconfiguring the remote (it is fairly easy to modify the config text file) it works like a dream. I am using a PC running XP with 1GB ram and an 80 GB hard drive.
86% of People (6/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/18/2004 |
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Strengths: Easy to set up, Easy to use interface, lots of features you would expect and want...
Weaknesses: A bit larger than appeared at first, no AM radio reception
Summary: Ordered from 2buystore.com after doing a pricegrab and I am extremely pleased with the product. I already owned a hauppauge tv card for my desktop and the USB2 is perfect for my laptop. The remote control makes it all the more user friendly and it has a bunch of options you wish it would have. The scheduler and recorder coupled with an external hard drive eliminates the need for any other older (VHS) systems I used to use to record my favourite shows. The A/V/S-Vid input jacks on the front give it that much more compatibility... using those I have played my xbox on the PC while away from home. This is a great product, I would recommend it! A+
82% of People (9/11) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 10/26/2004 |
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Strengths: Great piece of hardware. Easy to setup.
Weaknesses: Software could be stronger. I would recommend using Beyond TV.
Summary: The hardware is very easy to setup, however the manual is a little light. More information about the capabilities of the remote control would be useful. The software is average, I would suggest using a more robust scheduling program.
81% of People (13/16) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/11/2005 |
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Strengths: Works as advertised, unlike others. Easy to install and use. Won't find yourself ending at "PC hell" -- the one thing you bought the item for, it can't do.
Weaknesses: Remote works in conjunction with the PC, so it's slow.
Summary: At first, purchased ATI's TV Wonder PCI card from BestBuy. Packaging said it would work with a Pentium II (oldie but goodie 400mhz Dell). Wrong. It was only after I installed the card, made the connections, installed the software, re-installed the software, re-installed the software, tried to call tech support, had to search where to call and to register!, then called tech support, deleted and cleanly re-install the software while on line with tech support (still would not work), transferred to a "higher level" tech support, that the "higher level" tech support said it would not work with the Pentium II. (Agreeing with me that the packaging was wrong.) In other words I found myself in "PC hell". Returned the card as quickly as I could. Basically wasted one day.
So I was leery of Hauppauge's WinTV for my old 400mhz Dell. Wrong again. I was pleasantly surprised at how simple it was to intall the software and use this external solution through a USB 2.0 connection. Everything worked as advertised. This integrity should be rewarded.
80% of People (4/5) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/24/2005 |
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Strengths: Easy Installation, Excellent graphics, Free Scheduler, and DVD editor
Weaknesses: Works best with Cable. Does not have an out to TV option
Summary: The USB PVR is working great. I have already used it Tivo features of pause, play, and rewind live TV. I am looking forward to editing my home VHS videos and burning them on to a DVD. I have also noticed that the cable/satelite signal received through the composite/S-video is better than the signal on the television! I would highly recommend this product to an individual looking for a substitute to Tivo
71% of People (5/7) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 12/05/2005 |
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Strengths: Provides good images for most stations, using antenna.
Weaknesses: None, works as advertised.
Summary: I couldn't test all products but read reviews before deciding on this product. I'm very satisfied with it.
Only complaint: The user interface is adequate but could be better. For example, there are two UI programs and I would have preferred to use the one with a standard windows menu, but it doesn't seem to have all the options.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 08/12/2005 |
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Strengths: DVD copying capability, PVR capability, good cost, does everything you would want in such a product.
Weaknesses: This product does get rather hot after being in use for several hours.
Summary: This product is excellent. I opened the box and, within 10 minutes, I was watching and recording television on my laptop computer. The software and hardware was easy to set up and the product is even easier to use. Just open one of the many software applications included in the box and you are on your way. You can take screenshots, pause and record tv, copy DVDs, listen to FM radio, and more. If you are looking to use your computer as a PVR, this is your device.
67% of People (2/3) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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| Date Reviewed: 03/04/2005 |
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Strengths: Very simple to install
Works great
Nice quality picture
Weaknesses: None
Summary: Took it out of the box and hooked up a cable line to after connecting it to my computer. Installed the drivers from the CD and thats it.
Media Center downloaded the channel guide and I was watching TV in less than 30 minutes.
Highly recommended especially as a second tuner so you don't have to open the case.
61% of People (11/18) found this review helpful. Was this review helpful or unhelpful for you?
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