Circuit-City has this (New-Improved Hardware version) USB 2.0 Pinnacle PCTV HDTV PRO stick on sale in this week's circular:
Sale price $69.99 (UPC - 613570222279, MFG Part Number - 82301002301) Regular Price: $99.99 Don'f forget 2% FatCash
This is an amazing PCTV stick receiver, combined Analog SD and over the air full HDTV, Clear QAM.
I've used 3 the other cards such as Leadtek TV2000xp PCI, Hauppauge WinTV 1500 and WinTV 1600 PCI cards, this is by far the clearest that I've seen, no lagging when viewing HD channels. The HD channels are super clear, unlike the Hauppauge cards.
Viewing size is somewhat fixed (either full screen or smaller, no in-between size).
I had it connected to a newer Intel core2-duo PC which changes channels faster, and also had it connected it to an older AMD socket 939 dual core PC - which is slower in channel changing.
Manufacturer's description
• Watch SD and free HD TV on your PC - no service fees • Includes remote control and high-gain telescopic antenna • Ultra-sensitive reception of both analog and digital TV signals • New: supports both digital over-the-air (ATSC) and unencrypted digital cable (ClearQAM) HDTV • New: stereo sound for both digital and analog TV • New: stereo FM radio reception • Turns your PC into a PVR with TimeShifting: pause, rewind TV • Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) • Compatible with Windows® Media Center(Windows Vista™ and XP MCE; remote kit sold separately) • Bonus: VideoSpin video editing software • Capture from your cable/satellite set-top box or camcorder with the included A/V adapter cable • Automatically record shows to your hard drive in MPEG-1/2 or DivX formats, or direct-to-DVD
wjwj said: ... The HD channels are super clear, unlike the Hauppauge cards. ... Usually, the USB TV tuners are optimized with the provided pole/dipole antenna therefore it is not a fair comparison if you test the PCI tuner card with that. I have compared the video quality between the Hauppauge HVR1600 (PCI card) and the HVR850 (USB stick) using the same pole antenna that comes with the HVR850. Like you said the USB tuner delivers a better video in that scenario. But when I replaced that generic antenna with a DB2 antenna the difference is night and day! The PCI card wins hands down in both quality and sensitivity, while the USB tuner is not able to keep up with the same DB2 antenna. In this case, the HVR1600 picks up nearly twice as many local HD channels and delivers a much stable video stream than the USB tuner, rain or shine.
I should be more specific in my hook-ups, the included pole antenna was only used on the newer PC, great receptions, not raining season yet, will see how that works out to be.
CABLE from our local provider was used on the Pinnacle USB-pro-stick as well as the Hauppauge HVR1600 PCI which is in the slower PC.
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