Buyer beware! There are better options than the Hauppauge WinTV 880 PVR pci.
Written: Jan 26 '04
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Easy initial installation and nice features... if you can get them to work.
Cons: The software required numerous patches to fix, and the remote control still doesn't work.
The Bottom Line: There were numerous and persistent problems with this product, and I wouldn't recommend this product unless you'd like to become close friends with the Hauppauge technical service team.
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| alicia_oh's Full Review: Hauppauge WinTV PVR (880) Video Capture |
Background
When I bought my computer (a Dell Dimension 4550 with Pentium 4 2.53GHz, 256 MB RAM running Windows XP), I knew I wanted to be able to watch TV on it. I have a small home, and my computer was to be a multi-function entertainment and information control center (yeah, that's what I said). I decided against purchasing a monitor that had a picture-in-picture function after looking into the hardware/software options and finding more versatility and better features. Many of these software and hardware packages had online program guides with recording options, as well as the ability to use a variety of input sources (VCR, cable, camcorder, etc.). After considering the available features, I chose to buy the Hauppauge WinTV 880 PVR pci card and sofware for my computer because it seemed the best value for the roughly $180 I paid for it. Since then, I have found that I made the wrong decision.
The Unsatisfactory Product
The WinTV-PVR-pci came with the PCI card, remote control and infrared receiver, an adaptor, external radio antenna, and the software CD. This was the first time I've ever opened up a computer and installed this kind of hardware, and I found it extremely simple. The software, however, did not work right out of the box as did the hardware.
I found the initial installation to be relatively straight-forward, and the WinTV 2000 software started up with no problem. I quickly figured out how to scan for channels and was excited to see the first pictures coming through. The pictures came through okay, but there was no sound. That initial self dialogue was something like, "Okay, that's easy enough. Cool... cool. All right, now for the moment of truth... huh. Hmmm. Okay, well let's try the remote. Hmm, that doesn't work either." Sigh. Since then, after solving one problem only to find another, writing numerous emails to technical service, and downloading a sequence of patches that make me suspicious of the quality of the original software, the dialogue has remained the same.
The "Quick Installation Guide" came with a separate 'Troubleshooting audio problems' section, which did not solve my lack of audio. After corresponding with a Hauppauge tech service rep for a week, his suggestion was to download a software patch that should restore sound. It didn't work. Another download solved the problem, but the remote control still didn't work. So, after downloading numerous patches for the remote control, the tech service rep suggested that I check the actual PCI card to make sure it wasn't a hardware issue. Out of frustration, I gave up trying to make the remote control work, and instead, I use my optical mouse to change the channel from across the room. If it were a hardware issue and I had to send the card out to be soldered, it would inconvenience me even more, and I'd be likely to return the whole thing. But as it is set up and working now, I can do most of the things I wanted to do with this product.
The Upside
I love the convenience of watching TV or listening to the radio while working on the computer. Also, it's easy to see what's on with the TitanTV program guide, and the recording feature is easy to use.
Overall
I regret buying the Hauppauge WinTV 880 PVR pci because it was problematic and I believe another product may have worked better right out of the box. I spent several hours corresponding, downloading, and installing fixes for software that should worked the first time. The TV picture and recorded video quality are less than crisp, and the remote control still doesn't work. But, the TV and radio functions work okay, and the software is funtional. Overall, I would not recommend product. There are surely better options than the Hauppauge WinTV 880 PVR-pci.
Recommended:
No
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Epinions.com ID:
alicia_oh
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 1 member
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