Pctv HD Pro Stick USB Hd Atsc Ntsc Clearqam Tuner

by Pinnacle

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 9.1 x 2 inches ; 14.4 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00174QOW6
• Item model number: 82301002301
• Average Customer Review: 2.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: April 3, 2008

Product Description

Item #: R83122. Bring digital HDTV with full DVR functionality to your laptop with Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick. Enjoy all of your favorite shows in high quality HD anytime and anywhere. Product Description: Pinnacle PCTV HD Pro Stick - ATSC HDTV / QAM receiver / analog TV / radio tuner / video input adapter - Hi-Speed USB
Device Type: ATSC HDTV / QAM receiver / analog TV / radio tuner / video input adapter - external
Compatibility: MS Windows XP Media Center compatible
Interface Type: Hi-Speed USB
Video Input: Hi-Speed USB - external
Analog Video Format: NTSC
Analog Video Signal: S-Video, composite video, HF TV signal
Digital Video Format: MPEG-1, MPEG-2, DivX
Audio Input Support: Standard
Sound Input Mode: Stereo
Features: Remote control, time shift function, Electronic Program Guide
OS Required: Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista
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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works well, make sure to get this one, not the old model, July 10, 2008

By 

K. D. Odom (Norfolk, VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Pctv HD Pro Stick USB Hd Atsc Ntsc Clearqam Tuner (Personal Computers)

This is an updated version of this product. I first saw it in July 2008. I was unaware of that initially and I first bought the older version that does not tune Clear QAM or FM. Since these features didn't work, I contacted Pinnacle's support. They were completely useless, they drug me around for weeks trying this and that until I did a whole lot of research and found there were two models of the same product. I returned the old model and got the new one (both the old and new were on the shelf and had the same sku, the packaging is slightly different.)

That fiasco aside, I installed the new model and it worked great. I had to download and install an update to the application, but it wasn't too big and I had it working within 15 minutes of opening it. Much easier than the older version which had some software issues.

It tunes Clear QAM, OTA DTV, analog cable, and FM, I tested all, and they all work well. I'm using primarily using it to tune ATSC (Broadcast Digital TV.) I used the antenna that came with it at first, and it's okay, but I get a lot better reception with a cheap set($8) of "bunny ears." With that antenna, I get very good reception, despite where I live, which is a very bad spot to pick up signals. My HDTV only picked up two digital channels with the same antenna I'm using. This tuner gets every channel available to me and they look very good.

Although I couldn't get the old model to work with Windows Media Center, this one works fine.

The remote control works as long as it's pointed to the tuner, but be careful as I have found that the tuner will pick up rf signals from other remotes.

The recording feature works, but I have found the audio and video don't sync up perfectly some times.

I've tried using the SVIDEO/composite in to view external video, and that works as well.

It does get warm during use. It also uses quite a bit of CPU, even when not recording. I have a new, high-end laptop, and would be concerned about performance when using an older laptop.

Overall, I'm pleased with this product. The older model was pretty much a nightmare, but this one works, and works well. I can attest that it works with Vista, as that's what I'm running. It uses any TV source you can throw at it, and tunes them all well. The sync problem with recordings is really the only shortfall I can find. I would recommend this product.

A few notes though: First, don't blame this tuner for poor OTA reception. Where you live in relation to the signals you want to pick up, what antenna you use and how you have your antenna aimed make the biggest difference. I am not using the included antenna because it's not that great. It's not bad, but I know I need a more tunable antenna for where I live. Please keep that in mind. Secondly, I would not recommend attempting to use this on an older laptop or PC. It does use a good amount of CPU. Make sure your computer meets the recommended specs before buying this. Other than that, enjoy!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Works well for Digital Broadcast TV, December 5, 2008

By 

PaulB "PaulB" (Lewisville, Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Pctv HD Pro Stick USB Hd Atsc Ntsc Clearqam Tuner (Personal Computers)

I bought this a few weeks ago to record several series that are broadcast in digital. I didn't want to spend tons on DVR service, renting equipment and all that just to be able to record now and then.

Setup was easy but the supplied antenna would not do the trick on most of the channels. After connecting to our attic antenna, all stations come in 100%.

I'm using mine in a relatively new quad-core running Vista 64. Media center recognizes the device and I'm able to record, play, watch live tv and burn DVD's through Media Center. I found the Pinnacle software to have a few sound issues so I only use MC. Recorded Rudolph in HD and burned a DVD last night for my daughter and the quality was amazing.

The only issue I have is the FM Radio is not recognized in Media Center and has issues in the Pinnacle software. I only subtracted a star since I bought this for over-the-air Digital Broadcasts and I'll never use the FM option.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Buy, January 24, 2009

By 

Ismael Pinto "near L.A." (Fontana, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Pctv HD Pro Stick USB Hd Atsc Ntsc Clearqam Tuner (Personal Computers)

I bought this for my dell inspiron 1720 laptop. OTA HD looks really nice and it is in HD, not sd. If you live near a major city, OTA is awsome. The antena provided works great near big cities. a better antena may be reqiured for OTA away from the city. FM receiver also works great. composite and s-video adapter also works good. I haven't tried out the quam cable reception but everything else works, I don't see why this wouldn't. real time divx and mp4 encoding require a powerful processor, but not required for good HD recordings.