Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE

Introduction:

    There is no doubt that this Christmas, a lot of the readers out there got some nice, high end computer gear. But what about some of the extra gear we have that is still very useful, along with the new stuff we have? How about creating a HTPC or a PVR? Most of us have the hardware and power requirements to do such a thing, but may be missing one key component, like a way to get a TV signal into the computer. Well, this is where the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE from Directron comes into play. The WinTV-PVR-500 is a Plug and Play TV tuner support for Windows XP Media Center Edition. Live TV is accessible from the built-in 125 channel cable ready TV tuner, plus composite/S-Video and audio inputs to connect to a cable TV-set top box or satellite receiver. It lets you pause Live TV with instant replay, fast forward and rewind, and has built-in dual hardware MPEG-2 encoders. Records up to two TV channels at the same time to disk, using from 1-2 Gigabytes of disk space per hour of recorded video. While recording, the WinTV-PVRs' hardware MPEG encoder does all the work, so your PC continues to run at full speed. It also includes a Microsoft-certified Media Center remote control to control all Media Center functions, plus includes an IR transmitter to control the channels on a cable TV set top box or satellite receiver. The WinTV-PVR-500 is also Windows Vista supported.

About the Company:

(1) About Directron.com

The Directron.com Advantages:

• Started as a wholesale distributor in 1991.

• Low, warehouse prices open to the public, updated daily.

• Over 12,000 items in stock with a wide selection of brands.

• 4,000 sq. ft. show room.

• 100,000 sq. ft. warehouse/office space.

• Shipping cost calculated in real time with zip code, weight, & UPS rates.

• Estimated UPS delivery time to your location.

• Online credit card authorization in real time.

• From one year up to life-time warranty.

• Secure on-line ordering with e-mail confirmations.

• A fast Yahoo web server with state-of-the-art security features

• Online package tracking.

• Easy return, exchange and refund/credit procedures.

• A hard-working team dedicated to QUALITY in products & services!

Features:

WinTV-PVR-500 MCE-Kit has these great features:

• Plug and play TV tuner suppport for Windows XP Media Center Edition.
   

• Live TV from the built-in 125 channel cable ready TV tuner, plus composite/S-Video and audio inputs to connect to a cable TV set top box or satellite receiver. Pause live TV with instant replay, fast forward and rewind.
   

• Built-in dual hardware MPEG-2 encoders. Record up to two TV channels at the same time to disk using from 1-2 Gigabytes of disk space per hour of recorded video. While recording, the WinTV-PVRs' hardware MPEG encoder does all the work, so your PC continues to run at full speed.
   

• Includes a Microsoft certified Media Center remote control Control all Media Center functions, plus includes an IR transmitter to control the channels on a cable TV set top box or satellite receivers
   

• Includes A/V cable set to connect to a second A/V input such as a satellite receiver or cable TV box.
   

• dbx-TV stereo audio decoder, for great TV sound.
  
  Plug-and-play TV tuner support for Windows XP Media Center Edition. Just plug the WinTV-PVR-500 MCE into an open PCI slot in your PC, install the Media Center driver, and you can watch TV with Media Center's MyTV button! Media Center allows you to watch or record two TV shows at once, and WinTV-PVR-500's dual TV tuners and dual hardware MPEG encoders supports this dual channel capability.
  
  WinTV-PVR-500 MCE-Kit allows you to upgrade your tunerless Media Center PC by adding dual TV tuners and a Media Center remote control. Record your favorite TV shows to your hard disk, or pause live TV and create your own instant replay!
  
  The WinTV-PVR-500 uses dual hardware MPEG-2 encoders, so you don't slow down your PC while recording. With MPEG data rates from 2 to 8Mbits/sec, you decide how much hard disk space your videos will consume (the lower the data rates, the less disk space your videos will consume, but with lower video quality). You can record one or two TV shows at the same time without slowing down your PC!
  
  The Media Center remote control can be used to control all Media Center functions, such as MyTV, MyRadio, MyMusic, MyPictures and more! And the built-in IR transmitter will enable Media Center's MyTV function to control a satellite or cable TV set top box!

Packaging:

Snow blind

Product  info

AHH some color

    The package I received from Directron was the white box version of the product; this doesn't really matter - just be sure to purchase one that comes with the remote control. It's kind of hard to stay fat and lazy if you have to get up and change channels. Open up the box, and we see the WinTV 500 card, a second A/V input card, the MCE remote control, a remote control blaster box receiver/transmitter, a FM antenna, and software.