Customer Reviews

DHMTVBOXEX9 TVBox 9

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The Avermedia TVBox 9 does everything as advertised! This unit fits the bill for the 3 indispensable features I had in mind for a TV Tuner:

1) includes a remote control
2) lets you work on your computer while you watch TV in a little window
3) Full screen mode

Additional features that were a welcome bonus for me:

1) PNP - or Picture-in-Picture with See-Through Translucent Mode -- pretty nifty!
At first I thought the PNP feature refers to the ability to view other channels in a little window overlaid on the current channel I'm on. Actually, to my disappointment, this feature refers to the ability to view TV in a little window over the computer desktop, so you can work on your computer while you watch TV. The PNP terminology was a little misleading! What's nice though is the little TV window can be made translucent, so you can see through it to view what's on your computer. There is no way, however, to adjust the level of transparency. I use the translucency feature mostly on news channels, where visuals aren't that important. You can also position the TV window anywhere on the screen with the remote.

2) This unit is pretty much a full-feature TV. It includes your usual TV features such as Closed Caption/Parental Control, Supports Multiple Input Sources (Video, DVD, Game Console, etc.), OSD (On-Sreen Display), Sleep Timer (30 - 150 min, in 30 min increments), Favorite Channel Programming (haven't figured out how to work it yet), Full-Function remote (in other words you can control or set everything with the remote along with the OSD).

3) Multiple Channel Preview.
View 13 channels simultaneously. Well, actually, each channel is set in motion for about half a second and becomes a still. Regardless, you're still able to get an idea of what's on each channel, select what you want to watch, and watch it in full screen. I do find this feature very useful to quickly find the channel I wish to watch.

Pros
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In addition to the above features, this unit also has the following pros:

- Easy setup. Within minutes, I was up and running. No need to install any software. Just plug in your video and sound cables to the correct in/out outlets and you're ready to go. I didn't even need the manual! The only hitch I ran into was the PNP function. Whenever I was in the PNP mode, the screen would flicker on and off. Adjusting the TV screen resolution didn't help. However, when I messed with the color setting by changing from 32 bits to 16 bits, then back to 32 bits, the glitch stopped -- much to my relief! I suppose resetting of the screen color setting somehow helped the TVBox recognize the video settings on my monitor/computer.

- Watch TV without turning on your computer.

- Good picture quality. Allows you to fine-tune the picture and has Brightness/Contrast/Tint/Color/Sharpness adjustments. I'm using it on a CRT monitor and I'm pleased with the picture quality (I still prefer CRT's over LCD's. Plasma's great, but gosh, they're still so pricey!) If you have it hooked up to a LCD, I reckon the picture quality will rival that on the Sharp Aquos line of LCD TV's.

- Console is really slim, space-saving, and cool-looking.
The silver color will match most computer systems. It can be laid down or set upright.

- Remote control buttons are conveniently laid out and intuitive (A big plus for me.)

Cons
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- PNP TV picture not resizable. Regardless, the size is big enough to allow me to comfortably watch TV while I work on my computer. On my 17 inch monitor at a 1024 x 768 resolution, the box is roughly 1/9th the size of my screen. Also, when you turn off the unit and turn it back on again, it doesn't remember the last mode you were in (PNP or full screen.)

- HDTV not supported. Not a biggie for me. The picture quality is very good as it is!

- Surround sound not supported -- only stereo sound is supported.

- A little pricier than other comparable units. The TVBox 5, the predecessor to the TVBox 9, is significantly cheaper than the TVBox 9. However, TVBox 9 is an improvement over TVBox 5 with the addition of Closed Caption/Parental Control , Channel Preview, and image enhancement capabilities.

Features Not Supported
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- Video capture/recording.
Consider the Avermedia MDVDEZUSB External Video Capture Device that lets you do just that. Other companies such as Hauppauge and Startech also incorporate this feature in their tuners. The Avermedia version even lets you record your TV shows onto your DVD or CD.

Conclusion
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The cons and the lack of some additional features have not deterred me from buying this unit. Make no mistake -- I love this unit! I only wish it had a true PNP function. I have looked at Startech, Viewsonic, Hauppauge, Samsung and I find the Avermedia to be the best TV tuner unit for a basic TV tuner. In my opinion, if you're looking for a TV Tuner for your home or office that has a remote control and lets you work on your computer while you watch TV and supports full screen mode, the Avermedia TVBox 9 is THE unit to get!

I am using this with a Sony 19" LCD monitor connected to the s-video output from my Directv cable box -- and the TV pictures is as clear as any LCD TV I have ever seen, especially in full screen mode at 1280x1024. All modes work perfectly. With PC on or off the picture is great. Sound is good too. PIP and translucent mode are crystal clear too. Clear as a bell. The first (positive) reviewer here gave tons of info and he is right on all counts so I will not repeat the specs and features.
The only (very small) bad thing is that the cables attach to the same side as the remote control sensor on the unit so you have to point them toward you.
I had previously tried an ATI all in wonder pro but I returned it because window mode was fine but the full screen mode was blurry. This avermedia tvbox9 is always crystal clear, even at full screen mode.
This was a perfect solution for the extra room in my house that we use as the combination computer/guest room.

I got this for my 92-year-old dad who, perhaps surprising, still uses his laptop a lot. Last year we got him a great monitor and then followed with the TV Box 9. He's not technically savy in the least, yet there was no problem installing it and he has had no problems whatsoever using this product. I was blown away with the quality of the image it produced.

I am pleased with this product. I now have another TV with a superb display(my PC monitor). The device is compact and supports the X-Box, DVD player, and VCR as well. All features work as advertised. My favorite is the ability to re-program the channels as I desire. That is, channel 2->7, 3->5, 4->21, etc. This allows easy setup of favorites for walking up and down and exclusion of annoying non-favs from the channel lineup.

The worst case scenario is you make a stand alone TV out of your old(CRT) spare PC monitor. Attached to an LCD, it makes for a very compact setup.

Works perfectly with my 18" LCD Monitor. You can switch between console video games and your pc and still watch a movie on T.V.

Pros: No card needed. Easy Set-up (for average knowedge user). Multiple inputs. Little space needed. Remote Control. RC is very user friendly and well laid out. On-screen menus make numerous setting changes that may be wanted, a very simple task. PIP w/Transluscent ability - allowing you to see and click on your PC screen through the TV picture. This translucency feature is the main reason I went to this box rather than purchase a monitor with PIP installed. On-line customer service was quick to answer e-mail questions. With a little Googling, better price can be found.

Cons: Only 4 resolution settings accepted in order to use PIP function. Cannot be used with Digital input or digital monitor without analog capability. Instructions/User Manual is not friendly to anyone without some experience in setting up additional components to their computer. Made in Taiwan and instructions demonstrate this point. No Trouble Shooting section in Manual. Customer Service phone number can only be obtained after hunting through website. Sound capabilities limited to Stereo.

Other Thoughts: I was personally disappointed that after investing money in a high resolution Wide Screen LCD monitor w/digital input capabilities that TVBox 9 must be used only in Analog. Be aware that PIP functions only in 4 resolution settings of 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768, and 1280x1024. A higher resolution setting will result in obtaining only a full screen TV picture if the PIP function is attempted. For those with dual inputs (Analog and Digital) to an LCD monitor (and a pc card with dual capability) the TVBox 9 is a decent setup when the best PC picture is not a must (by using Analog) OR, if you have a CRT without plans to upgrade to a digital monitor. You will have to change the input on the monitor and resolution to use Digital for the best PC picture, however. Kind of a pain, but do-able. If I had known all this beforehand (especially the resolution restrictions), I doubt I would have invested the money in TVB9 and would have waited until the next version was produced that may address the digital drawbacks and resolution limitations. Not enough dissatifaction to return, but does not meet todays improved technology and expectations to rate higher than mid-range.

I've got only two complaints with the external tuner, which is otherwise exactly what I was looking for.

First, the audio signal has a very distinct low-level hum when using anything other than the specific audio cables provided with the unit (which are too short, hence the need to replace or chain the cables). It sounds like "power" interference, like the signal is carrying too much ampage. I'm not sure what their custom cables do to eliminate the noise, but I found it impossible to eliminate using any combination of other cables (including Monster Gold shielded audio cables).

Second, and I knew about this when ordering (other reviewers have mentioned it), some of the inputs are on the front of the unit. I like this on equipment like TV's and other "larger" equipment as it's often a pain-in-the-arse to get behind it to hook stuff up, but this box is so small that the front is only a few inches away from the back, so that problem doesn't exist. I realize they made this decision primarily to improve the boxes form factor, but at the expense of making it awkward to position -- particularly because it's so lightweight, which results in the cables on the front (if you then run them back behind the box) lifting the box up slightly. Not a biggie, but a minor annoyance.

Final verdict: definitely does the job with just a few minor annoyances, but no show stoppers. I'd buy it again, but I'd be curious as to whether any of its competitors suffer similar problems...

I found this tuner to be excellent in its performance. I have it lashed to my 21" NCR multisync monitor and the picture quality is superb. Good feature set as well. The only slight annoyance is the location of the composite video and audio inputs on the front, but they really didn't have any choice, given the size of the unit, as the backside is occupied by the VGA connectors. I am completely satisfied with the product.

Easy to use. All the features are useful. The quality of Video is good on My Samsung SyncMaster 713N and Audio is superb on my Labtec Speakers.

This unit has more tricks than a monkey on a rope.

Received it fast, and had it in operation in less than a half an hr.

It will drive many video input-ed units, plus the audio can be directed to line in-puted speaker systems or home audio systems.

If you have a weak ant. sig, you can use it to amp the signel using video out from it to the systems

Great picture, and will config. in many ways to suit your fancy.

I love the fact that is has built with pre-thought-ed ideas to fit so many uses.

You don;t have one yet? "WOW"

Tom Berry PDPF