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.
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.