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Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick is an ultra-compact, USB-powered TV tuner thats the perfect match for super-slim laptops. The integrated signal booster improves reception sensitivity even if the.
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Turn your PC into an HDTV with Pinnacle's PCTV HD Pro Stick TV tuner. This handy device will work equally well at home or on the road. The high speed USB 2.0 interface ensures flicker-free performance. The ultra sensitive receiver and high-gain antenna pull in even distant signals. The 3-way tuner can handle analog and digital broadcasts and unencrypted digital cable. Full time-shift and DVR functionality lets you pause, rewind and record live TV to your hard drive. You can also attach your cable box or camcorder to take advantage of the recording features.
VideoSpin software lets you edit your recordings. When you are done editing you can burn the video to disc for archive purposes or to take on vacation with you. Enjoy HD/SD TV and FM Radio on Your Computer The Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick turns your computer into a true media center that receives worldwide analog TV, digital ATSC (up to 1080i/720p), unencrypted digital ClearQAM cable TV and FM radio broadcasts, complementing your digital multimedia experience.
Portable Design The sleek, compact Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick is fully powered via USB without the need for a power cord or a bulky power adapter for the ultimate portability. Scheduled Recording with EPG The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) offers an intuitive way for scheduled recording – select the program you want to record from a program list simply at a click of the mouse!.
Time Shifting Function With the Time Shifting feature, pause or rewind shows, or skip scenes when watching TV programming. Easy Operation with Remote Control With the multi-function remote control, access every feature on the Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick from across the room with fingertip ease.
Pros: I bought this for $35 from woot so my expectations were probably considerably lower than all you guys. However, after using the product for over a year I can say that it is a worthwhile investment for those looking to supplant cable/dish for a combination of internet/PCTV. Windows 7 x64 recognized this device perfectly and it is extremely well integrated into Media Center.
I can view all my channels, record, look at TV guide etc from Media Center. I have been doing this for over 6 months and the software has not crashed not shown an error yet. The Media center setup was flawless. This speaks volumes of Windows efforts in media entertainment. Cons: I have only used this product in environments that are condusive to poor signal so I am not able to comment on how well this product work in optimal setting.
Despite this, I get a good feed of channels with occasional signal drops, but it's not too disrupting. I regularly watch sports in HD over broadcast and find the experience enjoyable, but with minor interruptions. Other Thoughts: This device along with HULU and other such website have replaced cable/Dish for me. Pros: Easy to install (I only installed the drivers), and works great right out of the box, I wasnt trying to use the included software because I am using Media Center The picture looks great and I dont seem to have any signal strength issues.
Cons: Since this is my second tuner I am filling up my hard drive twice as fast.:) Other Thoughts: I dropped my satelite over a year ago and havent really missed it. I have a cheap PC hooked up to my HDTV and between my capture card and Online TV I still watch anything I want (sports are the only thing thats still a problem) I save over $50 a month! The second TV Tuner allows me the same capibility as the Dual Tuner DVR that I had with my satelite. I can record two shows or watch one while I record another.
Pros: Got this from a local Best Buy. The software included in the package actually does work with tuner (unlike some others) and does MPEG squre pixel recording, Picture in Picture capable. Picked up all available channels in my area from both ATSC and QAM (Time Waner NY / NJ) sources and add channels to a list. The device works both as a TV tuner AND SD video capture device (with the included RCA & S video adaptor) from a set top box and DVD player. The package also includes a video editing software (unlike others). Though the product description says this is compatible with Vista 32 bit, I downloaded a driver and soft for Vista 64 bit from Pinnacle's website, and it's been working just fine on my Home Premium 64bit. The included antenna is decent but not the best, I have a 35 dollar Terk antenna as I live in a bad reception area (surrounded by skycrapers, multipath issues).
Cons: None Other Thoughts: This was my 4th TV tuner. Highly recommended for people who don't need networking. This is a comprehensive product, I can't ask for more for the price. Vista Home Premium 64bit, Intel Q6600 (Quad 2.4GHz) WD Black 1TB x 2, Radeon 4850, 4GB DDR-2-1066. Pros: This device is amazingly compact when you consider the ability to receive analog video, digital video and FM radio - I tested all 3.
It can scan for all available channels in a given area and program them into my channel list. This is something that I can stuff in my laptop bag and set it up fairly quickly when I am travelling. The included remote control works fine but isn't really useful for those of us that are sitting right at the computer. Cons: It takes 3-4 hours to get it installed for the first time on a new computer. The software that was shipped with it is obsolete, extremly buggy, and will probably make the computer crash at least once. Fortunately there is a new version, but it is 150MB and takes a while to download. I burned a new CD with their new software and no longer bother with the old disk anymore - saves installation time.
The new software runs much better but still will occasionally have an error and has to be shut down but I haven't seen the whole computer crash with the new software. Channel changing is dissapointingly slow, especially on the digital channels. The software tends to use a lot of resources on my widescreen laptop, a Dell 810, which has above-average processor power. This is true even when listening to FM radio, which I would expect to consume less processor. It only receives about half of the FM stations that another radio can receive, probably the weakest. Other Thoughts: It would be nice if they put a little more though in keyboard hotkeys: like up and down arrows for the channels or typing numbers to go straight to a particular channel. You have to either use the mouse or remote to get the basic functions.
The sensor for the remote is on the USB device, which points in a bad direction for using the remote. Maybe they should put the sensor with the antenna, which is will be out in the open and easier to hit with the remote control. I would hope that they eliminate the 'activation code' that is included on a little peice of paper, or at least print in on the device so it doesn't get lost!
Pros: very nice HD -OTA when it works- it looks fantastic! Cons: I did not purchase this from Newegg, but I know that these reviews are extremely important to consumers- and Newegg is where I SHOULD have bought this from. Slow to change channels, even on an extremely screaming fast laptop. Mpeg decode through computer, not the device.
Frequent crashes from software, and unit with supplied software. I got the 800E model (the more square one without the white stripe) After spending HOURS downloading the latest updates and wasting a lot of time- I'm finally told by their tech support chat that (3rd session) this model dosen't really work for clearQAM. At least they can't get it to work. Nice of them to keep it quiet and not tell anyone- even on their website. On top of that there is NO documentation that this does NOT WORK for clearQAM for free cable HD decoding.
Supposedly the newer model that is being sold here on newegg does work just fine. I won't bother buying it after the experince I've already had with them. Other Thoughts: This vague (it SHOULD work- I was told) support along with the crummy software, keys that don't work, and difficulty doing anything with pinnacle and their products will keep me from wasting my money and time on their products. I'm guessing they dumped these on resellers that have no idea that the earlier versions don't work as specified. These are my opinions- use your own judgement Caveat emptor! Pros: Picked up all QAM and ATSC channels (I have a good Terk OTA antenna) though it required a few ATSC scans. The lastest software, PCTV Pro 5.4, supports Vista 64-bit.
Also compatible with Windows Media Center. PCTV Pro supports at least two Pinnacle tuners allowing me to record one while watch another or record two channels at the same time. Titan (free programming guide) integration The software allows you to adjust scheduled recordings in one-minute increment. Mpeg recording (instead of ts or tp) Includes a video editing program, Pinnacle Studio 10. Includes a remote (though it's not the best) The included antenna works fine (picked up most of the channels) as I live within a few miles of a transmission tower. Supports Picture in Picture Cons: On the slower side in channel changing The included remote doens't compare to some other serious remotes that are going for 100 dollars.
The included antenna is not great at handling multipath issue. I'm not sure how well it does with the distance as I live near a tower. I encountered a problem uninstalling a previous soft before installing the latest version but it should not be too difficult to resolve if you are comfortable with PC. Other Thoughts: I am giving it five eggs as among four tuners I have tried so far, this is the only one that an included software works the way it should in addition to all features it supports and all that the package includes for the price. I highly recommend this to those who do not need extensive features such as networking and are comfortable with TV tuners / PCs.