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Customer Reviews for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Model: 1191
SKU: 9234205
UPC: 785428011912
Tune in to live television broadcasts on your PC with this PCTV USB 2.0 stick and watch and record your favorite TV shows with ease.
Average Customer Rating:
3.7
out of 5
(95 Reviews) 95
Rating Snapshot 95 reviews
5 stars
38
4 stars
26
3 stars
10
2 stars
6
1 star
15
69% of customers would recommend this product to a friend
(
66 out of
95)
Customer Reviews for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Review 1 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Great with Window 7 remote
Customer Rating
4.0
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
3.0
Ease of Installation
3.0
What's great about it: Watching cable on my widescreen pc
What's not so great: remote does not work.
http://www.hdtvtunerinfo.com/win7mcqamsetup.html. This link really helped me set up my device. I can lay in bed and use my remote that came with my PC that I linked to watch Netflixs and my local cable. My cable provider made me use and additional box on my HD ready tube tv. After the purchase of my pc I really did not see the need to buy another tv. So I installed this device. Works great except the remote would not work. It took three days of research to find the step that I was missing to make it work on Windows Media Center. If you are not using a cable box you will not get channel guide info. Very happy over all with the product!
I would recommend this to a friend!
Other Best Buy Products I Recommend
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 2 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Major Overheating issues
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: Aleos
from Honolulu, HI
on 05/20/2012
Value for Price
1.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
4.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: Easy Install
What's not so great: Overheats when its not even being used
There are alot of good reviews for this product, but they are all from people who just installed it. I've had the unit for over 5 months and it overheats even when not in use. I've had it hanging from my pc's usb for the past 5 months without noticing the problem. Then when I switched cable modems I went to pull the coax out, and wow the tv tuner usb was hot to the touch. It won't last much longer and Best Buy won't give me my money back, because its past the 30days. As for the picture its pretty grainy, I've switched coax cables, usb ports, and moved all electrical wiring from the unit but the graininess doesn't go away. If you google Wintv-hvr 950q overheating, others have had the same issue. Don't buy this, you may damage other components in your pc.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 3 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Great sustitute of a TV
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Nelher
from NJ
on 05/19/2012
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
4.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: It really is Highdefinition
What's not so great: As always we would like a better price
This item solved my problem. Im moving to another state and can't take my two 55" TV with me. so i desided to buy this little gadget and sell my 2 TVs.
It was easy to install and the image is great, I recomend it.
It was easy to install and the image is great, I recomend it.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 4 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Worked great right out of the box
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: JVinTulsa
from Tulsa, OK
on 05/15/2012
Value for Price
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
Features
5.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: Turns your PC into a TV set and digital video recorder all in one
What's not so great: Needed to go to Hauppauge web site to download some updated drivers and more in-depth instructions
I was hesitant to buy this thing because of all the negative reviews from people who could not get it to work. I want to be able to watch and record Over-the-air (OTA) TV using an antenna. I have a not-so-great HP Elitebook laptop running Windows 7 Professional. I followed the directions in the box to get the device recognized by the computer, I installed the latest drivers from the Happauge website (just Google "Hauppauge 950Q manual" to find the page with lots of additional resources, instructions and drivers), went through a first-time configuration of Windows Media Center, and I was watching, pausing and recording TV shows. It's that easy.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 5 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Doesn't work with XBOX 360
Customer Rating
3.0
What's great about it: TV works ok...
What's not so great: Not a great solution for video-in, in general
I bought this hoping to use it not only for TV but also for playing my Xbox 360 through my laptop. While it does theoretically work, the connection is so slow and choppy it is not playable. The TV aspect works ok.. it lags a little also. And it doesnt matter what type of PC you have, it's going to be slow. I know this b/c my laptop is state-of-the-art ultra fast gaming rig and yes it did have usb 2.0. Still very slow and choppy on the video.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-1point
0out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 6 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Save for a TV instead
Customer Rating
3.0
Posted by: Al77
from Cicero, IL
on 04/15/2012
Value for Price
2.0
Compatibility
2.0
Features
1.0
Ease of Installation
4.0
What's great about it: Easy to set up
What's not so great: Works less than half the time.
In theory it's a great idea. In practice, its performance is poor. It freezes up way too much, and works less than half the time. If you're really desperate to get one like I was after my tv stopped working, get it and have much patience. If you can wait, just save up for a new tv.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
0points
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Review 7 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Know what you're getting
Customer Rating
4.0
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
2.0
Features
2.0
Ease of Installation
2.0
What's great about it: When it works, it works
What's not so great: Takes forever to get it to work.
I bought this product so I could display a game console on my PC during talks about game development. For that purpose, with a few tweaks of some hidden settings, it works.
The software crashes on launch more times then it works. It is really slow to start and forces a reboot to properly close. However, once it's up, it works for the purpose I bought it.
If I needed a reliable solution, I wouldn't buy this product. I don't know how it works as an HDTV tuner, because I have not interest in that.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
-2points
2out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 8 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Good TV Tuner
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: techservergal
from Dublin, OH
on 03/09/2012
What's great about it: Easy to set up and I am able to pick up 70 channels.
What's not so great: You have to make sure that the cable is connected securely and entirely to the back of the TV Tuner.
The Hauppauge TV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR is very easy to assemble. I had some initial issues with the configuration through Windows Media Center, but on a second attempt I was able to get the device working correctly. The box comes with the TV Tuner, a credit card size remote control and a mini antenna that can be used in case an end user does not have digital cable. I configured the device for use with a digital cable connection. It is not necessary to have a desktop cable box. I plugged in the cable connection straight from the wall jack and after configuration was able to pick up 70 channels.
The first time I connected the cable to the TV Tuner but apparently it wasn't tight enough (even though it was pretty tight!) and only picked up 13 channels. After unscrewing and re-screwing the cable connection the second time around I picked up 70 channels.
The first time I connected the cable to the TV Tuner but apparently it wasn't tight enough (even though it was pretty tight!) and only picked up 13 channels. After unscrewing and re-screwing the cable connection the second time around I picked up 70 channels.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 9 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Take that, Dish Network
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Controlfreek
on 02/15/2012
Value for Price
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
Features
5.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: Works great, does what it claims, get's back a Dish Network!
What's not so great: Does heat up on use, I don't think it'll burst into flames however!
Purchased Hauppage 950Q while away from home on business. Installed in minutes on my Windows 7 Home edition laptop; searched and found 7 local broadcast channels. Watching TV within 1/2 hour of start of install.
Wasn't sure how it would work in my home location; live outside of town kind of down in a valley. Erased the channel database and scanned for my home channels; worked great, got FOX, CBS, NBC, PBS and another local METV station that I didn't even know existed! I also installed product on a 9 year old Windows XP Pro desktop, my children bet me it wouldn't work---works great! No problem with install or drivers.
One thing I've noticed is the appliance does heat up with use. I'm going to purchase another so those at home can use it when I'm on the road.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+1point
2out of 3found this review helpful.
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Review 10 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
does not work on windows 7, 64 bit
Customer Rating
1.0
Value for Price
1.0
Compatibility
1.0
Features
1.0
Ease of Installation
1.0
What's great about it: if it works on your system
What's not so great: not compatalbe with windows 7, 64 bit system
Installed as per directions. Nothing worked. Visisted web site. Said I had to install updates and drivers for windows 7. Still did not work, later found that it is not compatable with a 64 bit system and windows 7. Cool concept, price would be ok, if it worked.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+2points
10out of 18found this review helpful.
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Review 11 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Works better than I thought
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Fernseh
from Seattle,WA
on 01/12/2012
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
4.0
Ease of Installation
3.0
What's great about it: Can record high quality videos.
What's not so great: Software is bit difficult to install
I was looking for a way to record High def television on my Quad cord computer running MS Windows Vista. I first bought the Hauppauge 850, but I soon found out that it would not record QAM from cable, so I returned it and bought the 950Q. I tried using the Windows Media Center, but it didn't have a QAM tuner. I installed the tuner on a Windows 7 PC, and the Windows Media Center software worked great. It was very easy to schedule recordings. However, I didn't like the format of the recordings. I wanted a format that I could use in my video editor. I eventually was able to install the WinTV software that came with the tuner. At first, I had a lot of problems with the install, probably due to my anti-virus software. Once installed, it worked better than expected. I have not had any problems with it locking up so far. I figured out how to configure the software to record in mpeg-2 format, so now I can play the videos on my Blue-ray player, or use them in my video editor.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
4out of 4found this review helpful.
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Review 12 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Seems too easy.
Customer Rating
5.0
Value for Price
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
Features
5.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: Price & easy to install
What's not so great: Haven't found anything yet, so far.
Use this to record on my PC. It was soo easy to install. I didn't install the software that came with the device. I let Windows 7 recognize the device and use Windows Media. Works great!
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 13 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Worth the money and the effort
Customer Rating
4.0
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
4.0
Ease of Installation
2.0
What's great about it: Free HD TV
What's not so great: The install.
I was paying nearly $100 a month for cable, no premiums, just some HD channels. I paid less than $70 one time for the Hauppauge TV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR and I get over 25 channels, most in HD over the air, for free.
The installation is a bit tricky. Luckily, there was a young man at Best Buy who walked me through it. When the program says that the tuner is not found, you have to go into the step up and select the correct tuner. For some reason, the install program installs two and defaults to the bogus one.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+2points
2out of 2found this review helpful.
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Review 14 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Over all good product
Customer Rating
5.0
What's great about it: Watch tv on computer
What's not so great: installation.
Bad: the software that came with it was a pain, I had to re install 4 times, my advice is to downlaod it from the website as it works better this way. Windows media center said it found 16 channelles, I was disappointed but when I actually started watching, I found that there are more than a hundred, but for some reason windows media center doesn't mention them on the screen untill you start watching.
Good: It's amazing if you actually have some HD channelles. using my cable it Found more chan than my big screen TV.
Good: It's amazing if you actually have some HD channelles. using my cable it Found more chan than my big screen TV.
I would recommend this to a friend!
0points
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Review 15 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Less than perfect software
Customer Rating
2.0
Posted by: LaptopGuy
from Long Beach, CA
on 01/05/2012
Value for Price
2.0
Compatibility
1.0
Features
1.0
Ease of Installation
1.0
What's great about it: USB and HD Recording in 1080i
What's not so great: Everything else. Especially the software.
I was looking to remove one of my cable boxes and record HD over the air, or from the cable coax connected to this USB Tuner.
Using a just bought Win7 i5 8gb laptop, the initial install was easy and I then updated the drivers as recommended.
The software takes forever to "search" for channels on the antenna or with the cable coax. Sometimes the program just "freezes" and appears to be running in task manager but it takes a Win7 reboot to get it to respond.
Emailed tech support - their "canned answer" to why channels on my tv's tuner are viewable but not on the WinTv was "Re-install". I was told that over and over.
I ended up using the S-video output and getting the cable box back which is not at all what i wanted because I cant record in 1080i HD with svideo.
If I had a large powerful antenna, it might be worth the $$.
But the software is a nightmare. I tried using MS Media and it worked better but still couldnt find several channels that my Dynex TV found easily.
But the software is a nightmare. I tried using MS Media and it worked better but still couldnt find several channels that my Dynex TV found easily.
No, I would not recommend this to a friend.
+1point
1out of 1found this review helpful.
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Review 16 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Great Product
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: LK82
from North Bergen, NJ
on 12/07/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
Features
5.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: Price, Quality, User Experience
What's not so great: Nothing
Worked perfectly with my windows 7 Dell XPS. Received 20+ digitial (ATSC) channels using the portable antenna supplied with it. I live on ground floor and even my cell phone signal reception is weak there. I put the portable antenna outside window and I received blu-ray quality HD channels like CBS CNBC ABC and lot more.
Planning to buy a digital antenna with long cable so I can receive more channels.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+5points
5out of 5found this review helpful.
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Review 17 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Works well
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: Asuna
from Arlington Heights
on 11/16/2011
Value for Price
3.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
5.0
Ease of Installation
4.0
What's great about it: Easy to use!
What's not so great: Remote was a pain in the rear to get to work, but it works now!
I got this for the Sole purpose of moving out of the VCR age where you need a converter box to use a vcr to record, got it home, installed it, easy to use and set up a set time for recording! Recorded the desired show at what I can tell the time I set it for, was out at the time. Not bad file size, about 7.5 gigs for a little more than an hour recording.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 18 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Tuner is great for using computer for access to TV
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: HopeEternal
on 11/03/2011
Value for Price
4.0
Compatibility
4.0
Features
3.0
Ease of Installation
3.0
What's great about it: Allows watching, scheduling and recording shows on computer
What's not so great: It's only one tuner, when recording can't watch another show
This tuner works very well and basic install was straight forward.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+6points
6out of 6found this review helpful.
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Review 19 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Awesome product, easy install, free HD TV!
Customer Rating
5.0
Posted by: Matteo56
from Fargo, ND
on 09/15/2011
Value for Price
5.0
Compatibility
5.0
Features
4.0
Ease of Installation
5.0
What's great about it: HD, Broadcast Channels, Little to no set up
Bought this last night and install was basically painless. I didn't use any of the software that came with the product & decided to go with Windows Media Center (Running Windows 7). I literally plugged it in, scanned for channels, and was off to the races. I bought a separate pair of bunny ears for better reception ($10 bucks). If you are thinking about it, take the plunge and cancel your cable.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+11points
11out of 11found this review helpful.
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Review 20 for Hauppauge PCTV HD Stick USB 2.0 TV Tuner with PVR
Works Good
Customer Rating
4.0
Posted by: jwf404
from Graham, NC
on 07/27/2011
What's great about it: Small, Cheap, Works Good
What's not so great: Remote
I was looking for an inexpensive way to watch and record TV and I thought I'd give this a try. It's pretty amazing. We get some 30 channels over the air with a set of amplified rabbit ears. 9 of them are in HD. We also get clear QAM and analog cable signals, but it will only do one or the other at a time and when you switch you have to rescan.
There was some difficulty in finding the clear QAM channels in Windows Media Center. They are apparently assigned virtual channel numbers by the cable company. The WinTV software that came with this product did find the these QAM channels, and it will show you their real channel number if you right click on the channel in the lineup. Then you can manually add the real channel number to Windows Media Center.
Windows 7 64 also appears to have a problem with the analog signals when connected to a flat panel via HDMI and Windows Media Center is set to 1080p. This is resolved by switching back to 720p for analog channel surfing. It does fine on 1080p when using the antenna or on clear QAM.
Sadly the remote never worked at all, so I got a wireless keyboard.
I would recommend this to a friend!
+4points
8out of 12found this review helpful.
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