Tag : pinnacle pctv, device, video capture, tv tuner, usb2 210100387

Company : Pinnacle List Price : $99.99 Amazon Price : Used Price : Average customer review :

Accessoies

• Sony DRU-530A 8x Internal Dual Format DVD+-RW Drive
• Hewlett Packard Recordable DVD+R Discs, 50 Pack Spindle
• KHYPERMEDIA Spindle of 25 Blank 4x DVD-R Discs
• HP 48X CDR 20PK
• HP 48X CDR 100 SPINDLE

Features

• Turn your PC into a personal video recorder (PVR); burn recording to disc
• Plugs into the USB 2.0 port of your computer
• Video can be recorded using MPEG or DV real-time compression
• Watch, record and pause live TV; import video footage from other sources like a VCR, camcorder or DVD-player
• Small and compact, and draws power from the USB port

Product Description

Pinnacle PCTV USB2 is an affordable, external PVR that plugs into the USB 2.0 port of your computer. It offers easy, one-button TV recording and CD/DVD burning. Perfect for mobile users, it is small and compact, and draws power from the USB port, therefore eliminating the need for a separate power supply. It lets you watch live TV (cable or analogue) as well as video footage from other sources like a VCR, camcorder or DVD-player. Video can be recorded using MPEG or DV real-time compression. An interactive set-up assistant makes the installation as easy as possible.

Customer reviews

It's a piece of trash -- pure and simple
I bought this Pinnacle device for the promise that it would allow me to transfer my VHS videos -- chiefly home movies -- to DVD format. It simply did not work. I get good picture and good sound but the two do not sync even though my cpu and hard drive meet all of the specifications to run both hardware and software properly. I tried defraging the hard drive and suspending all tsr programs but got the same results. The remote works ony hap-hazardly even though there are fresh batteries in it and the test program provided indicates that the device is receiving the signal. I can go on but by now I am sure any reader will have got the message. If I could send the device back for a refund, I most certainly would.

This is the second Pinnacle product I have bought that has not lived up to claims made. Well fool me twice but no more. The bottom line: Boycott anything Pinnacle!

Does what it says, but...
As a TV tuner it functions OK. It isn't anything spectacular, but when one considers the comparatively high resolutions that computer monitors produce (as opposed to traditional PAL/NTSC televisions) the quality is rather good. A previous reviewer claimed that the A/V inputs were not functional. That is absolutely false. I currently have my Xbox plugged into it and am playing it windowed on my PC. My complaints are that 1) There is a video lag with the inputs, 2) The provided software is sketchy at best, and 3) Pinncale demands extra money to 'unlock' different encoding methods, (i.e. Mpeg-2, Mpeg-4, VCD, etc.) In short, it does what it says, but that is about it.

It's only a TV port, NOT a capture device - BEWARE!!
If I could give it NO stars I would. IT'S A RIP-OFF!!
Those reviewers who found this product OK are only using it as a TV device, not for external video capture. Sure, it works adequately as a TV device (so the one star is probably justified after all) but it is emphatically NOT a video capture port as supplied. Pinnacle's own bundled software does NOT support video input (neither for live display nor for capture) via the temptingly-annotated Composite or S-Video ports. It only 'sees' inputs on the UHF (TV) antenna input. Pinnacle have been promising to include this functionality for over 6 months but, so far, NADA!! Of course, the only way you can get to see the deluge of negative feedback this generates is to purchase the product to gain access to the support forums. The public aren't allowed in...
Here's kicker #1 - if you're prepared to spend the same money again Pinnacle will sell you their Studio 9 application which (I THINK) supports these external (non-TV) video inputs.
Now for kicker #2 - alternatively you can buy (again for a comparable ADDITIONAL cost) a third-party app called ShowShifter which has absolutely no problem seeing, displaying and capturing the extra inputs in this Pinnacle-branded product but somehow Pinnacle don't know how to do it (or maybe they do but they prefer to force you to pay twice for the same horse).
If you're looking for video capture as opposed to just watching or recording off-air TV then DON'T BUY THIS DEVICE.
One final point (Amazon, are YOU listening?!) - Pinnacle manages to get around potential accusations of criminal deception by cleverly avoiding any claimed Composite or S-Video functionality on the packaging - IT'S STILL A RIP-OFF, the inputs are clearly shown on the box . What's worse Amazon are close to being duplicitous in this rip-off by clearly labelling the two offending non-functional inputs thus implying that they actually DO something. They don't, not out of the box, but they will if you're prepared to purchase additional software (if you must buy this product I'd recommend ShowShifter - I know it works and besdies, I'd resent playing into deceitful Pinnacle's hands by paying them twice).

BUYER BEWARE !!

David Harte
United Kingdom

Bad, bad, bad, product and Tech Support! Stay Away!
I own a top of the line PC: Athlon 64 3500+, Nvidia 6800, WinXP Pro card, etc. etc.
Pinnacle PCTV crashed the WinXP Pro during the install phase and freezes the Windows XP ever since. Both Pinnacle Tech Support and Forums Suport do not read the questions and send irrelevant answers. They also suggested replacing my PC - What a joke! Don't buy it unless you are SURE that you can get reimbursed in full if it does not work for you! Don't even dream on counting on Pinnacle's support.

Terrible Product ,Horrible Support
Terrible product. It's going back tomarrow. After thee attempted installs, I'm still getting the "blue screen of death"telling me something horrible just happened. Then my computer shuts off. I have not once gotten past channel auto scan.

The report from Microsoft calls it a device driver error. As for tech support if you have actually made contact with Pinnacle consider yourself lucky. I have been unable to log on to their website all day.