Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-USB2

WinTV-PVR-USB2 Review, by Emru Townsend January 3, 2005

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• Reviewed by: mchan1

  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!

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: dpyang

  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.

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: johntdow

  Strengths: Provides good images for most stations, using antenna.

  Weaknesses: None, works as advertised.

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: zeeb8

  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.

  Overall: 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.

• Reviewed by: btranch

  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.

  Overall: 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.