There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
on December 22, 2010
I got this usb tuner to start using Windows 7 Media Center in my apartment. I purchased a new machine for use as Media Center, but temporarily used a low-end laptop until the new machine arrived. I simply connected the adaptec USB tuner to the laptop, and within 2 minutes the adapter was recognized fully by 7MC, and was working beautifully. The included remote control worked great out of the box, and we were recoding video without a problem. It's an absolutely great bargain.
The only issues I have:
1) A blinking green LED light when the tuner is active (so at night it's annoying). Would be nice to be ablel to disable all LEDs.
2) The new machine came with Windows 7 64-bit, and even though the microsoft website says it's compatible, there was no way to get it to work in x64. Reformattead with 32-bits and worked flawlessly.
The only issues I have:
1) A blinking green LED light when the tuner is active (so at night it's annoying). Would be nice to be ablel to disable all LEDs.
2) The new machine came with Windows 7 64-bit, and even though the microsoft website says it's compatible, there was no way to get it to work in x64. Reformattead with 32-bits and worked flawlessly.
on February 6, 2011
Product works great with my laptop! Took me a total of 6 mins to install and setup the tuner. Literally opened the box plugged everything in and connected the usb cord to my laptop and Win 7 instantly recognized it and installed all the drivers needed. This is an upgrade from my single tv tuner that I use through Windows Media Center. Once I connected the new tuner, Windows Media Center automatically knew there was a different tuner setup and walked me through setting everything up. The remote works great with no problems, I've even been able to watch tv on my computer from bed cause the remote has amazing range. It saved all my info for shows I recorded and my future recordings. Even better, all the schedule conflicts I had during my time with a single tv tuner were all cleared up automatically because Windows Media Center recognized it was a dual tv tuner. Not sure about other operating systems but this works great for Windows 7 64 bit. I would recommend this to anyone!
on January 19, 2014
Its been nearly 2 years since I bought this to enable my computer to use Windows Media Center and flat screen TV. This unit has performed flawlessly during that time. I am able to watch one show and record another at the same time, or record 2 at a time. It was easy to hook up and worked perfectly right away. This combined with my computer and Windows media center gives me the convenience of a DVR combined with the ability to record any recorded show to disk, and no monthly charges!
on January 24, 2009
10/3/2010 Comcast has finally made this unit obsolete, they have changed the way they send the signal. I can now only recieve channels under 20. Every channel over 20 only displays snow or blank screen. I'm forced to invest in Ceton's quad tuner. I ordered 2 months ago but there's a major back log and limited units available. So don't invest in this product as I now have 5 doorstops.
I have built many and have been using Home Theater PC's (HTPC) since 2002 and currently have 7 HTPC capable deployed throughout my house. I prefer dual tuners over single tuners and I've used many different types of TV tuners to include brands from Hauppauge, Adaptec, Aver Media, Nvidia, EVGA, ATI, etc... they all have their positive and negatives but I've pretty much given up on all products except for Hauppauge and Adaptec.
I have just recently retired 2 Hauppauge dual tuners for the moment. While Hauppauge is perfect for 32-bit Vista and XP, I recently upgraded to 64-bit Vista and the card recognition by MCE as well as recordings are very buggy. Also, my Hauppauge tuners seems to be picky as to the type of hardware combinations used in the HTPC build; finally they are tall as well as long boards and a small system cannot be built around it.
Although Adaptec is considered legacy equipment, I've fallen back in love with these dual tuners and plan to buy several more before they become extinct to purchase.
At first I didn't want to have anything external to my PC; I technically still don't. That's the main reasons why these tuners didn't grow on me at first. After a couple of years, of having several computers blow up on me due to heat issues or raising the noise Db level in the room due to additional case fans... I rediscovered the worth of these tuners. These tuners are actually my longest lasting tuners and I have never had a problem with heat or noise issues.
PRO's:
1. Currently less than 2/3 the price of what I originally paid for when they first came out.
2. Dual tuners allows multi-task capabilities:
a. Records using provided hardware, doesn't drain or slow down computer resources.
b. Able to flip through channels and watch tv while recording another channel.
c. Able to record 2 channels and watch recorded shows.
3. No degradation in recording based on settings. While the quality of BEST is fantastic, I set my recording to Good to save on disk space; still excellent recording quality.
4. I've strapped 2 Adaptec's using MCE Extender to one of my HTPC's and able to record 4 channels at once; never had an issue.
5. Comes with more cables than you will ever need.
6. MCE remote and stand included.
7. Automatically recognized by Vista 32 and 64-bit versions.
8. Decent FM Tuner
9. Can control converter/cable/satelite boxes.
10. Unlike internal cards, does not add heat or elevate temperature within PC.
11. Two tuners takes up one USB slot.
CONS:
1. External - but low footprint.
2. Requires line of site with remote so tuners cannot be hidden.
3. Although haven't tried anything else like MediaPortal, documentation states for MCE use only; which I prefer anyways so not really a con.
4. Not automatically recognized by XP; however, software is easily obtainable online or with provided disk.
My two cents worth: As far as HD or digital TV is concerned, AINOKEA!
I'm hooked up directly from cable (No converter box), to the Adaptec dual tuner, to the PC, and then to my LCD; I'm more than happy with the recording quality; approximately 1.7 - 2.4GB's per hour versus more than 5Gb's per Hour for HD.
Hawaii has already switched to HD or Digital OTA transmissions and they've stated in the mean time we don't have to do anything if we are connected to basic cable. Yes, eventually basic cable will transition to all digital... but I don't see it happening anytime soon... maybe wishful thinking.
Well, if you are geekier than I am and want to invest alot of money towards recording HD content, you may as well also invest in a lot more disk space as well. Don't get me wrong, I have a couple of hybrid cards stashed away that is capable of recieving digital signals, but today, tomorrow, next week, next month... I won't need them.
If you decide to go the economical way to build a dedicated HTPC then I whole heartedly recommend the Adaptec Dual TV tuner? I think $60.00 is good investment for today's current cable situation; it's definitely a good start to build your own experience without spending too much money.
In addition to tv tuners, other experiences has taught me to use a 500 - 750GB Hard drive (currently under $80) while setting the system to record in Good or Better quality. Don't forget to download a really good freeware TV commercial cutter but stay away from those software that converts it to a different file format because the naming convention is terrible and doesn't retain any of the TV shows underlying metadata.
I'm still looking for the perfect HTPC case. Stay far far away from built in monitor cases; especially MonCaso... ugh! So expensive and disappointing in the end; stick to something functional; the aesthetics will wear off sooner than you know. Once you upgrade to blu-ray, these types of cases become nightmares.
Hope this helps you Novice HTPC builders and I apologize for the rambling.
- ME
I have built many and have been using Home Theater PC's (HTPC) since 2002 and currently have 7 HTPC capable deployed throughout my house. I prefer dual tuners over single tuners and I've used many different types of TV tuners to include brands from Hauppauge, Adaptec, Aver Media, Nvidia, EVGA, ATI, etc... they all have their positive and negatives but I've pretty much given up on all products except for Hauppauge and Adaptec.
I have just recently retired 2 Hauppauge dual tuners for the moment. While Hauppauge is perfect for 32-bit Vista and XP, I recently upgraded to 64-bit Vista and the card recognition by MCE as well as recordings are very buggy. Also, my Hauppauge tuners seems to be picky as to the type of hardware combinations used in the HTPC build; finally they are tall as well as long boards and a small system cannot be built around it.
Although Adaptec is considered legacy equipment, I've fallen back in love with these dual tuners and plan to buy several more before they become extinct to purchase.
At first I didn't want to have anything external to my PC; I technically still don't. That's the main reasons why these tuners didn't grow on me at first. After a couple of years, of having several computers blow up on me due to heat issues or raising the noise Db level in the room due to additional case fans... I rediscovered the worth of these tuners. These tuners are actually my longest lasting tuners and I have never had a problem with heat or noise issues.
PRO's:
1. Currently less than 2/3 the price of what I originally paid for when they first came out.
2. Dual tuners allows multi-task capabilities:
a. Records using provided hardware, doesn't drain or slow down computer resources.
b. Able to flip through channels and watch tv while recording another channel.
c. Able to record 2 channels and watch recorded shows.
3. No degradation in recording based on settings. While the quality of BEST is fantastic, I set my recording to Good to save on disk space; still excellent recording quality.
4. I've strapped 2 Adaptec's using MCE Extender to one of my HTPC's and able to record 4 channels at once; never had an issue.
5. Comes with more cables than you will ever need.
6. MCE remote and stand included.
7. Automatically recognized by Vista 32 and 64-bit versions.
8. Decent FM Tuner
9. Can control converter/cable/satelite boxes.
10. Unlike internal cards, does not add heat or elevate temperature within PC.
11. Two tuners takes up one USB slot.
CONS:
1. External - but low footprint.
2. Requires line of site with remote so tuners cannot be hidden.
3. Although haven't tried anything else like MediaPortal, documentation states for MCE use only; which I prefer anyways so not really a con.
4. Not automatically recognized by XP; however, software is easily obtainable online or with provided disk.
My two cents worth: As far as HD or digital TV is concerned, AINOKEA!
I'm hooked up directly from cable (No converter box), to the Adaptec dual tuner, to the PC, and then to my LCD; I'm more than happy with the recording quality; approximately 1.7 - 2.4GB's per hour versus more than 5Gb's per Hour for HD.
Hawaii has already switched to HD or Digital OTA transmissions and they've stated in the mean time we don't have to do anything if we are connected to basic cable. Yes, eventually basic cable will transition to all digital... but I don't see it happening anytime soon... maybe wishful thinking.
Well, if you are geekier than I am and want to invest alot of money towards recording HD content, you may as well also invest in a lot more disk space as well. Don't get me wrong, I have a couple of hybrid cards stashed away that is capable of recieving digital signals, but today, tomorrow, next week, next month... I won't need them.
If you decide to go the economical way to build a dedicated HTPC then I whole heartedly recommend the Adaptec Dual TV tuner? I think $60.00 is good investment for today's current cable situation; it's definitely a good start to build your own experience without spending too much money.
In addition to tv tuners, other experiences has taught me to use a 500 - 750GB Hard drive (currently under $80) while setting the system to record in Good or Better quality. Don't forget to download a really good freeware TV commercial cutter but stay away from those software that converts it to a different file format because the naming convention is terrible and doesn't retain any of the TV shows underlying metadata.
I'm still looking for the perfect HTPC case. Stay far far away from built in monitor cases; especially MonCaso... ugh! So expensive and disappointing in the end; stick to something functional; the aesthetics will wear off sooner than you know. Once you upgrade to blu-ray, these types of cases become nightmares.
Hope this helps you Novice HTPC builders and I apologize for the rambling.
- ME
VINE VOICEon June 30, 2008
Note to any possible buyers, I was told this product is no longer being manufactured. Their customer service representative advised me that these TV tuners are no longer sold by them and only left over items are being sold through third parties so they are no longer providing technical support. THERE IS NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE. This was not good news since it's not working for me. I kept getting "loss of signal" messages with no video on My Media Center 2005 Edition. The installation was complete (I double checked on my system) and the cable worked (I double checked by attaching a regular TV and it worked just fine), I rebooted my computer - nothing worked. Also note that there is no manual included just the installation CD which contains a brief online manual with no real help in trouble shooting provided. I decided it was time to send an e-mail to them. No response. I decided to call and was advised that there was no technical support for this particular system anymore but there was telephone support available at $9.95. I'm not sure how this would help me if there is no technical support? The customer rep offered an exchange. She would e-mail me information on how to return my item with a shipping address and authorization code (shipped at my own expense) within five minutes. Upon receipt, they would mail me a new TV Tuner (so they must have some left after all?). Waited a while for that darned e-mail with the golden information only to discover that it did not have the information promised; instead, it is telling me to copy files and send them back for review. I gather to check if I meet system requirement (I do). Sent what was asked of me and have yet to hear back from them. I will not hold my breath as blue is not a good color for me.....
I'm sure glad I didn't have to pay $9.95 for the service I received (?), but I'm still out $100+ for the product. I knew I should have gone for the Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 )!
I'm sure glad I didn't have to pay $9.95 for the service I received (?), but I'm still out $100+ for the product. I knew I should have gone for the Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 )!
on August 25, 2010
If you don't have Win XP MCE, don't waste your money. On newer OS's, such as my Win 7, the drivers do not install and are nowhere to be found online. There is not a single site that supports this produce (HP or Adaptec), so if you get it, and it doesn't work, you are pretty much on your own. Neither of the aforementioned companies that "manufactured" this product even acknowledge it as one of their items. The features looked good in print, which is why I purchased it; too bad I'll never actually get to see how they work.
on June 6, 2009
Please beware; this product does not plug and play for my computer: Inspiron E1505 support by Microsoft EXP. Also the installation diskette does not install a driver, in order to facilitate use of same product. In addition a message related Microsoft Media Center generally appears, however I was unsuccessful in searching the internet for a suitable driver for same external TV tuner. It is very unfortunate that Amazon is associated with this product. I would appreciate some level of technical support regarding same product in order to have the intended service.
on March 25, 2009
Works great, easy to setup except that the FM plug and one of the TV tuner inputs are the same color. Since my eyesight isn't very good, I assumed that the two black inputs were for the TV and the white one was for the FM tuner. I was wrong. The bottom two are the TV tuners. Once I got that right, the setup with Windows Media Center was easy and works great. I have two, one on a XP desktop and another on a Vista Premium laptop. With my eyesight who needs HD. Great price on Amazon,I spent more on a single tuner last year.
on February 22, 2009
I was replacing an identical unit that I fried by using the wrong ac/dc adapter. Replacement works fine, like the other one. Price was 75% off the original price. Service and delivery were perfect.
Many problems with Windows Media Center but not with the tuner.
Works fine with my Comcast analog cable.
Many problems with Windows Media Center but not with the tuner.
Works fine with my Comcast analog cable.
