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CNET editors' rating:
2.5 stars
OK
Detailed editors' rating - Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 14 reviews
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Product summary
The good: Displays DTV and HDTV at native resolution; tuner is very sensitive and tunes analog/digital channels sequentially; does not encrypt recordings.
The bad: Playback controls are limited: can't pause, fast-forward, or rewind.
The bottom line: The WinTV-HD offers an inexpensive and easy way to view and record HDTV via your PC.
Specifications: Product Description: Hauppauge WinTV TV tuner - PCI; Interface Type: PCI; Video Input: TV tuner - S-video input - Plug-in card; ; See full specs
CNET editors' review
- Reviewed on: 08/09/2001
The next step up the digital ladder
You may be familiar with Hauppauge's earlier DTV card, the WinTV-D, which was able to receive and decode HDTV signals. However, it couldn't display them at true high-definition resolution. The WinTV-HD overcomes that hurdle and displays any DTV or HDTV signal at its native resolution or at any of 12 up- or down-converted resolutions that you select.
The WinTV-HD's package contains everything you need. You get the PCI card, a CD-ROM with drivers and software, an infrared remote control, and a small IR sensor that you connect to the computer. The included pod cable offers connections for a second monitor or an HD-ready TV and an A/V input for a VCR or DVD player. To run the WinTV-HD system, Hauppauge recommends at least a 400MHz Pentium III computer with 64MB of RAM and either Windows 98 (Second Edition), 2000, Me, or XP. Our PIII 866MHz PC with 128MB of RAM and Windows 98 SE provided more than enough horsepower for the task at hand.
Installation of the card is quite easy; in addition to the photocopied quick-start sheet that comes in the box, there's an extensive, well-written manual in PDF format on the supplied CD-ROM, with plenty of photos to help novices install the card properly. In most cases, your PC should recognize the card and get the correct driver from the CD-ROM (our test unit came with software version 1.9). Before you close up your PC's case, don't forget that the card only has one audio output. For surround sound, you must change a jumper on the card itself to switch the audio output from analog to digital. Hauppauge provides instructions for this somewhat awkward step. Problems with a driver installation error on some Windows machines have been reported, but Hauppauge attaches an addendum sheet that shows you how to deal with this minor glitch so that you can complete the installation.
When watching DTV on your PC, the image appears in a resizable window with a control panel on the left for changing channels and such. This window can be resized from 4:3 pan and scan to 4:3 letterbox to true 16:9. Like a normal TV, the WinTV-HD card can search for analog and digital channels automatically (it has two separate tuner inputs, so you can plug in an antenna and a cable line), or you can simply enter channel numbers directly. A simple right-click brings up a menu that lets you name channels, for instance, by call sign or network. Continue reading
User reviews
- Average user rating: 1.5 stars out of 14 reviews
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