Customer Reviews: Read 2 more reviews...
 Save your money, especially if you have Windows Media Center March 19, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
The hardware works really well. I'm getting 3 HDTV stations and 5 or so analog stations with an amplified indoor antenna. The software, by ArcSoft, leaves an enormous amount to be desired. It is really unstable.
First of all, the hardware won't reliably display HDTV unless I restart the computer with an HDTV channel selected. If I've watched an analog station for any length of time, its about 80% likely I'll have to reboot to watch HDTV.
Second, the recording software is a day behind. For instance, if I have my computer date set to 04/02/2007, the intro screen will display the date correctly, but the actual recording software thinks its still o4/01/2007.
Third, unless I enable time shifting while recording, at least one HDTV shows people with light blue skin, and women with dark blue lips. Enabling time shifting fixed that problem; and I have no idea why.
I've gotten minimal support from KWorld. I told them about problem one, and they suggested I load the most recent graphics driver, and ActiveX 9.0.c. I did that, and the original problem persists.
I've emailed them about the other problems, and so far, no response. I think I'll re-install 9.0.a and see if problems 2 and 3 go away.
If this hadn't been free, I'd regret buying it, and attempt to return it.
 Awesome!!!!!! February 13, 2007
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
This TV tuner works great!!!!!!!! It comes with a video jack and an audio jack but you need an adapter for the audio jack. The video jack is just a normal RCA jack. It's also much smaller than it looks.
****Warning for onboard sound!!!!! No Support - Product seems good February 8, 2007
2 out of 3 found this review helpful
I ordered this product, it came in good time. Had previous TVTuner and had issues getting this one to work. After finally getting a hold of the manufacturer, they were able to get me set up. Only problem is I have a nVidia nForce 2 with onboard sound. There is a crackle in the sound once installed. They told me they have issues with onboard sound but couldn't figure out a fix. Sent back to manufacturer to have them look at the unit. They are slow to respond and you have to keep following up with them to find out what's going on. Also had to pay for shipping back to KWorld. Still waiting for a resolution, as they still have the unit.
A product that doesn't disappoint. January 9, 2007
7 out of 8 found this review helpful
Easy setup, no crashes. Now I'm watching and can record high-definition TV on my computer monitor. The detail is terrific. There's never any ghosting..if the signal isn't strong enough the picture stutters or there's no reception at all. I get 23 channels in midtown NYC--some are repeats of a high-def channel only in standard def. I only wish there was more extensive programming in ATSC high def in this area instead of just the basic major broadcast networks, which has nothing to do with how well this tuner works.
My only criticism is that the remote's keys shouldn't require such a firm pressure, a more finger-friendly keypad would have been much easier to use. Also, the infrared beam must be aimed directly at the receiver eye or it won't register the remote's signal.
All in all, I'm extremely happy to get high def reception for free over the airwaves. Out of 23 channels I can currently receive, Ch. 2, 4, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 World are in stunning high def. The rest are in standard def. A great deal for under $100!
The only HDTV PVR to really work December 2, 2006
7 out of 7 found this review helpful
So far I bought 3 HDTV PVR solutions and this is the only one that actually works. It runs on a single core intel 3.6 Ghz proc and uses about 30% CPU at worst case. The system was built with the intention of making an HDTV recorder and would not run the ATI card (HDTV wonder) product, which is when I finally started looking at USB devices.
The only complaint is the software's first generation documentation has features that the actual software lacks (such as editing your recordings) - but as for capture and playback of a full 1080x1920 picture it does the job. I am using a 24" dell 1200x1920 LCD monitor with a digital (DVI) connection to a NVIDIA 7900 card and 4GB of ram in the motherboard. Two seagate 750 SATA drives are raid-0'ed to make a 1.5 TB storage disk for HD recordings.
Ignoring the money I wasted buying the ATI solution, this cost less to build than the sony HDTV recorder, and I can write things I want to keep off to DLT tape (80 GB per tape) or when HD DVD RW discs come of age, I can use that solution. For now, the 1.5 TB disk has plenty of room for well over a hundred hours of 1080x1920 HD recording.
The playback and recording are perfect - the sound in always in sync - and the timer never misses an event (which can be scheduled LONG in advance).
The only thing I have not tried is a DVI-HDMI interface cable simply because my other HDTV sets are older and lack the HDMI interface.
You should also orient the front of the box towards the seating area for the remote to work as it has an integrated remote IR receiver in the USB box.
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