Pinnacle PCTV Tarjeta Sintonizadora de Televisión HD PCI

Good card, Terrible software

Puntos Fuertes: HD Reception, works with GBPVR

Puntos Débiles: Pinnacle's software

My system is as follows: Windows XP Home SP2, 3 gig processor, 2 gig RAM. I get my HD/digital feed from an antenna and don't care about the analog stations. Also, my main use for this card is simply to record HD shows and watch them back on my plasma. I'm not so concerned about watching live tv with this card. Although I like the general layout/functions of the PCTV software and it worked...
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My system is as follows: Windows XP Home SP2, 3 gig processor, 2 gig RAM. I get my HD/digital feed from an antenna and don't care about the analog stations. Also, my main use for this card is simply to record HD shows and watch them back on my plasma. I'm not so concerned about watching live tv with this card.
Although I like the general layout/functions of the PCTV software and it worked somewhat adequately, there were still many problems. The most annoying was that NBC HD and CW HD recordings had audio sync issues and drifted in & out from sounding garbled/muted. Sometimes the video stuttered too. I can't understand why that happened because other HD stations recorded and synced just fine. Also, playing those stations live suffered none of the aforementioned problems. After many hours researching it appears that Vista users have these problems much more than XP, therefore my solution may or may not work for you.
If you buy this card, update drivers to 3.1.1.39, then install GBPVR, a FREE media-center-like software.
GBPVR works for me for OTA and, in GBPVR forums, users have said QAM works also. I no longer have cable so I can't verify that. GBPVR will NOT work with this Pinnacle HD PCTV card for analog. But if you're like me, you didn't buy this card for analog...you bought it for the HD. Installing GBPVR is easy - configuring it is a little more tedious. I consider myself fairly computer savvy and configuring GBPVR correctly took about 4-5 hours. There is tons of info on the WIKI and forums, but there isn't a really clear cut guide. Enough researching and you'll get all your answers though.
After switching to GBPVR, all my recordings are synced perfectly. I use the 'ATI mux' to record to MPEG2 and can play the videos back through PowerDVD or GBPVR. What's interesting is these perfect recordings still stutter in Pinnacle's PCTV.
Hope this helps,
P.S. If using GBPVR, you need to disable PMCloader in msconfig or GBPVR won't function correctly either. Plus there is so much more you can do with GBPVR.
If Pinnacle's software had been worth anything, I would have saved countless hours researching and would have been able to give this 5 stars. I would only now recommend this card knowing that I can help get the most out of it.

Por mattman1968 - Jan 23, 2008

Pinnacle PCTV HD PCI Card TV Tuner (HDTV)

Puntos Fuertes: Very easy to instal and get working. It is great if you want to watch Hi def TV or videos.

Puntos Débiles: Using the AV adapter cable is not easy.

I am trying to use this device to download my home videos on my computer and put them on DVD. This option is a little hard to use but I was able to make it work through the cable cord.

Por richwesty - Jan 16, 2008

best way to configure your comp-tv for vista users

Puntos Fuertes: need internet connection no worry for seeking in internet. always install the latest upgrade version automatically.

Puntos Débiles: weak or slow internet connecton may delay the time but it works though..

when buying drivers for your computer sometime you may find that software missing. same happens to me.. for example if u buy tv-tuner card for vista you can manage it without software for it. we all know in vista "Window media players" which is very easy to use which not only record your show but also show a guide up-to 15 days listing period. ok to install the latest software for your driver all...
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when buying drivers for your computer sometime you may find that software missing. same happens to me.. for example if u buy tv-tuner card for vista you can manage it without software for it. we all know in vista "Window media players" which is very easy to use which not only record your show but also show a guide up-to 15 days listing period.
ok to install the latest software for your driver all you have to do is follow this step..
right click in MY COMPUTER.
on pop-up box click ok
click on MANAGE
if your driver is not listed you should pick the one ???
things or something like it.
right click on it
click on update drives software
click on search automatically
it will take time up to 2 minutes. but it will find it..
if its say sucesfull than its okay.
now choose a right programmes to open it.
it will work..
enjoy...
again click on "device manager"

By anonymous; - Jan 25, 2009

Pinnacle PCTV HD PCI Capture Card

Testseek.com has collected 2 expert reviews for Pinnacle PCTV HD PCI Capture Card and the average expert rating is 58 of 100. The average score reflects the expert community’s view on this product. Click below and use Testseek.com to see all ratings, product awards and conclusions.
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By testseek.com - Nov 5, 2008

Pinnacle PCTV-HD Stick

The Pinnacle HD Stick series offers HDTV and Analog reception for your computer though the USB Port. All models feature Analog (NTSC) as well as HDTV (ATSC) reception as well as PVR (Time shifting) use. Having a USB interface makes them good selections for Laptops or home computers without much room internally. Features by Model (note each model upgrade has the features of the previous model as...
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By productwiki.com - Feb 5, 2008