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SpeedDaemon
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- Review count1
- Helpfulness votes1
- First reviewJanuary 10, 2010
- Last reviewJanuary 10, 2010
- Featured reviews0
- Average rating5
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- Answer count2
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- First answerJanuary 10, 2010
- Last answerJanuary 10, 2010
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SpeedDaemon's Reviews
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.
Posted by: SpeedDaemon
from Madison, WI
I've been playing with HD tuner cards ever since the very first Hauppauge HD card, with its awful 'Janus' Windows driver. This thumb-sized device is every bit as capable as any PCI(e) card tuner. I still wouldn't use it for a permanent installation because the standard high-quality RG6 RF cabling can lead this little unit to tear up its fragile USB plug too easily. The included USB extender is good to use. I carry a short length of more flexible coaxial cable, and gaffer's tape to prevent things from coming apart at both ends.
I regularly travel, staying at chain hotels and corporate guest suites. I have yet to see one equipped with a HD TV set. What I have discovered is that there is QAM HD content coming out of many of those cables. Now that I have a wide screen laptop, I picked up this gadget so that I can watch local TV programming in full HD glory. Still no joy with premium channels, of course.
I live VERY close to the antenna sites of all of my local TV stations, and expected to be able to use the included 'stubby' antenna for OTA broadcasts. No such luck. A length of bare wire works better. Maybe Hauppauge can find something that supports VHF frequencies better, like a helical design.
The bundled software is the best Windows software yet from Hauppauge. But it lacks a program guide, with no replacement after Hauppauge dropped the so-so Gemstar Guide+. This is a major omission! Fortunately, this device is supported by open source PVR software that do include program guides.
The included remote is a bit weak. That's an acceptable price to pay for being so small. I suppose that I could try a full-sized remote from a PVR-150 card...
What's great about it: The size!
What's not so great: RG6 Cable w/ This
I would recommend this to a friend!
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SpeedDaemon's Answers
window 7 recovery disc or ISO
I plan to buy a HP dv7 laptop, no recovery disc is listed on software. Best buy says they do not get one, but I can download from new computer to 3 DVD's to save for reload if necessary. My problem is I don't want all the unecessary programs and spyware that comes with the original laptop. I want to completely wipe the hard drive and just load the operating system. Why are the computer manuf not supplying the disc's like they use too?
The maker of your PC is caught between a rock and a hard place. Due to Microsoft's infamous OEM license agreement, OEMs must provide all of the support for Windows on their machines, and are constrained from including traditional install media that would let you do a clean reinstall.
If you must use Windows, then the best option is to purchase a separate copy of Windows to use for 'bare metal' installations. Yes, you're buying Windows twice. But since 'time is money', it can be worth the expense in time saved over other methods. If you don't need Windows, download a free, open source OS distribution based on Linux, FreeBSD etc., and don't look back. The K Desktop Environment (KDE) that comes on the latest distributions looks and feels very much like Aero.
If you must use Windows, then the best option is to purchase a separate copy of Windows to use for 'bare metal' installations. Yes, you're buying Windows twice. But since 'time is money', it can be worth the expense in time saved over other methods. If you don't need Windows, download a free, open source OS distribution based on Linux, FreeBSD etc., and don't look back. The K Desktop Environment (KDE) that comes on the latest distributions looks and feels very much like Aero.
Products from my answer
Windows 7 Professional - Windows
16 years, 5 months ago
by
SpeedDaemon
Madison, WI
TV Tuner Cards
TV Tuner Cards
windows 7
which internal tv tuner card is compatible with 7
Most cards are compatible with Windows 7. Most use one of a couple of standard chips, making compatibility very good regardless of manufacturer. But if you have to ask, you should probably stick with a well-known name.
The major manufacturers should have Windows 7 specific drivers available for download from their websites by now. Because Windows 7 (like Vista) includes PVR software, its native support for tuner cards is very good.
Contrary to popular misinformation, you do NOT need a 'MCE' (Media Center Edition) tuner card in order to work with Windows Media Center.
The major manufacturers should have Windows 7 specific drivers available for download from their websites by now. Because Windows 7 (like Vista) includes PVR software, its native support for tuner cards is very good.
Contrary to popular misinformation, you do NOT need a 'MCE' (Media Center Edition) tuner card in order to work with Windows Media Center.
Products from my answer
Hauppauge - Internal PCI TV Tuner Card
Hauppauge - Dual PCI Express TV Tuner/Recorder
16 years, 5 months ago
by
SpeedDaemon
Madison, WI