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"Works better than expected!" on by omegafiler
Pros: Good video quality, compatible with MCE, newly redesigned remote control.
Cons: Slightly expensive for a basic TV tuner - but it does come with an RF remote
Summary: I'm not quite sure why so many people have posted negative reviews for this product. It's a TV Tuner. That's it. And just to make it even cooler, they threw in a BOB for s-video/RCA inputs and a nifty slim RF remote.
If you are really concerned about quality, why in the world are you buying a non-hd TV tuner? Do you realize how low the quality is? The better your monitor/LCD is, the more you are going to notice flaws in the out-of-date low resolution TV signal. Sure, some analog TV tuners have better chips to clean up the picture... but only to a certain extent. And the ATI card does a very good job at making the picture look descent.
If you want good quality, go buy the ATI HDTV Tuner. I mainly just bought this TV tuner so I could use the ATI HDTV Tuner in MCE '05, and it works great. But even watching normal TV signals... I had no issues with drivers, software, etc.
This product is highly recommended to do what it is designed to do, nothing more. -
"Tested with Media Center Edition 2005" on by bflores
Pros: Compatible with MCE 2005.
Cons: Remote not compatible. Included software not as mature as MCE 2005.
Summary: Installation to Windows XP Media Center 2005 was a breeze. Installed drivers for card and was up and running in minutes. Just loaded MCE and started auto programming channels. Was able to record, pause, play, etc.. FM worked fabulous as well! The inluded PVR bundled software was very similar to the look and feel, as MCE 2005, however did not have all the functionaity as MCE 2005. The ATI PVR software does not allow you to play live tv, and browse menus at the same time, as MCE 2005 does. The included software is a very workable solution, for those who do not have MCE.
The included remote control only works with the ATI PVR software. It does not work with MCE 2005. You can however, use the remote to simulate a mouse. You can move the mouse cursor and select MCE 2005 options, however this is not pratical, and very painful to operate.
Neither MCE 2005 or ATI PVR software had the ability to view my digital cable channels. Both also lacked the option to manage my digital cable box. A feature that I feel is absolutly essential. My Tivo 2 has this ability.
My biggest problem was getting multiple monitor support to work effectivly. I have dual 19" LCD flat panels, and a 42" DVI/HDMI plasma in the living room. I wanted to use the pc as a home/work computer using the dual LCDs, and the media center/PVR with the 42" plasma. I was not succesful in getting the Microsoft Media Center Edition 2005 to use an alternative display, other then the primary display. Perhaps this is a video card problem. I tested with an ATI x600 128mb PCIe 16x Dual display video card. I was however, succesful in displaying the ATI PVR software on additional monitor displays. I just had problems with MCE 2005. From my testings. It seems as if MCE is designed to work with the primary display only. If you are in my shoes, you may end up having to use the ATI included software, or getting a dedicated MCE 2005 for your plasma, and a dedicated work machine, in your study.
I ended up not installing the ATI or any other TV Tuner card, to the PC. I will continue to stick with the horrible resolution, of the Tivo 2, for my 42" plasma. Perhaps someday I will purchase a dedicated MCE 2005 PC, with ATI technologies.
In Summary: ATI TV Wonder Elite with remote worked very well. It's getting all the technologies to work together that, I feel, needs additional improvement. It would be a great Tivo replacement, however I did not see support for digital cable channel support. -
"Not up to the hype." on
Pros: Hardware encoding, quiet, easy to install, and good remote.
Cons: (USED W/ XP PRO...not MCE) I was trying to remain a loyal ATI user but think I have to end the relationship now. Here are the nuts and bolts of what a mid-level user thought about the "future of TV on your computer." Horrible interface (w/out MCE), awf
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"would not install" on by Seahawk92
Pros: TV on computer was a nice idea
Cons: Cyber link Power Cinema Softwarre refuses to install
Summary: bought a new P4 3.2 GHZ Gateway computer and Ati Wonder Elite to watch TV on it.
The Software necessary to use this produst is Cyberlink Power Cinema and it
refuses to install gives a window to send error report to Microsoft and crashes to Desktop.
install error appname pcm3.exe
Called ATI for support and they said they could not help me, to Call the software Vendor Cyberlink . and guess what Cyberlink only provides Email Support (Voice Costs 29.95)
I can't even install and they want me to pay for support!Tried calling them anyway and got answering machine.....
still waiting for some reply from them . For something that costs 150.00 I think i will take my business elsewhere. -
"Great Tuner" on by jwang1229
Pros: 3D comb filter, mpeg2 encode acceleration
Cons: weak software
Summary: The 3D comb filter visibly reduces noise and compared to other tuners, this one produces a better picture. The included software isn't exactly great, but when used with MCE 2005, this tuner produces good results. Compared to other tuners on the market, it's a good pick.
ATI TV Wonder Elite user reviews
