PINNACLE S PCTV USB2-EXT USB2.0 TV TUNER ( 210100387 )

Rating:
Summary: Excellent value for the money
Review: After reading a couple of negative reviews, I tempered my enthusiasm for buying one of these but did so anyway since the price was right (I received a $20 rebate). In short, the device has far exceeded my expectations. My intended use for it is on the road with my Dell 700m laptop (with XP SP2), which has a 1280x800 display resolution. Given some of the reported driver problems, I was a bit concerned that the laptop's rather unique screen size might pose a problem with the PCTV, but was wrong. Install was trivial. On system reboot after the install, the software runs a comprehensive diagnostic to make sure everything is in order. For me, everything worked as advertised. I also installed the software on my desktop just to see the comparison, especially since my desktop is a two monitor system. If anything, it works even better there, although I can't drag the TV window over to the 2nd monitor.

The image is far superior to the 7" LCD TV I have for use during power outages we may get in Florida courtesy of hurricanes, and at about 1/3rd the cost, not to mention at a tiny fraction of both the weight and the size. In fact, at full screen it is at least as good as any TV set at a comparable distance. This was a pleasant surprise, although I personally would consider it a waste to use my desktop as a full size TV. The fact that you can record using it is gravy. The (measured) power draw on my laptop's battery is nominal, almost no worse than running without it.

I would have rated this product a 5, except for the following annoyances, none of which is fatal:
a) as I'm sure Pinnacle is aware, the driver needs more work. In messing with the "fine tuning" controls, I blue-screened my laptop's system. While I have not experienced any spontaneous failures of this sort from the software (unlike my experience with products from larger companies ... hear that Sony?), it is something that shouldn't happen and indicates some elements of the driver are not quite right. I have now run the product for a number of hours with no other failures, and that includes bringing it up and down, plus competing with other processes for system resources.
b) you can manually set most channels, but the interface does not show Channels 2,5, and 7, one of which is used by one of our local stations (however, it does pick it up under auto-scan). It's a mystery as to why these channels are not present for manual setting. Perhaps more annoying, there does not seem to be any way to retain two sets of channel settings, say one for cable and another for antenna.
c) the system comes with a remote control, which I won't use, but does not come with an antenna. I would suggest to Pinnacle that it makes more sense to provide an appropriate travel antenna and skip the remote. I now have to locate a suitable antenna to replace the length of coax I've been using for tests (the coax actually provides a startingly clear picture on some channels).

Since my install was problem free, I can't say anything pro or con regarding Pinnacle's support for the product as I have no pressing reason to contact them.

All in all, I think this is a superior device, so long as you plan to use it with an appropriate machine (USB2 is a must, and your hardware probably should be of relatively recent vintage, for example). The device is very light and compact and so makes a nice addition to my travel machine, not to mention provide me with an exceptional emergency TV.

Rating:
Summary: Bad, bad, bad, product and Tech Support! Stay Away!
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: good luck if you buy this..
Review: i purchased this product, it worked great for 2 days and now suddenly no longer responds (reinstalled, rebooted etc no help). i looked for help by posting problem on pinnacle support forums and have received no answer for 2 days and counting... i have now been on hold with the non toll-free tech support for 55 minutes and still no answer... avoid my mistakes and look elsewhere...

Rating:
Summary: Bad product... Worst support...
Review: It didn't work! The support people at Pinnacle is useless. My question number is 041007-000056 and since 10 days ago I am still waiting for some help from Paul (the guy at the support line).

Avoid this product, it has serious engineering problems.

Rating:
Summary: Terrible Product ,Horrible Support
Review: 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.


Rating:
Summary: Compact, sleek, and affordable.
Review: Though this product doesn't deliver the video quality of a tv, it is perfectly adequate for watching and recording cable. The drivers and software have no conflicting issues with my Windows XP pro OS. Setting up times and recording shows are self-explanatory. Works very nice, stays out of the way, and best of all, is USB 2.0 compliant. For an inexpensive way to watch tv on your laptop on the side, this product will work well for you.