Review of the AVerTVHD Volar USB Tuner


PROS

  • Runs with AverMedia software, Media Center (2005 & Vista), and other 3rd party applications such as BeyondTV4 & SageTV
  • Good at tuning weak and multi-path over the air signals
  • Vista certified drivers
  • Low cost

CONS
  • Analog tuner required for Media Center 2005
  • Not digital cable (QAM) capable


COST Around $70


Get the AverTVHD Volar Tuner for $58.50.


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COMMENTS:
  • This USB stick tuner is an HD/digital tuner only, not a hybrid (no analog tuner). It's a great addition for your Vista Home Premium laptop or home PC. Very simple to install and good reception on weak and multi-path signals. It's also one of the cooler (as in temperature) USB stick tuners I've tested. The small antenna will pick up strong local stations, but count on needing another antenna for consistent reception.

    The included AverMedia application is adequate for casual viewing, but if you plan to use the Volar on a consistent basis to record/play shows, I'd recommend third party software such as Microsoft Media Center, SageTV or BeyondTV4. These products have a 14 day schedule, whereas the AverMedia application depends on the TV stations over the air schedule which is usually less than a day and not always present or accurate.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS

  • CPU: Intel® Pentium® IV 2.4GHz, (Hyper-Threading) or (Dual Core), Intel Core 2 Duo processor
  • Intel Centrino Mobile 1.GHz, Intel Core 2 Duo processor, Intel Core Solo processor

  • Operating System: Windows® XP / XP MCE 2005 / Windows Vista (x86 or x64 bit)
  • USB2.0 port
  • Sound Card & Speakers
  • VGA Card Supporting DirectX 9.0c or Above (WDDM Driver support Recommended & 128 MB Graphic Memory for Windows Vista)
  • Certified DVD Decoder amd analog tuner for MCE 2005



PACKAGE INCLUDES

  • AVerTVHD USB Tuner stick
  • Quick Installation Guide & CD
  • AVerMedia Warranty Card
  • USB extension cable
  • Portable antenna
  • RF connector cable



INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:

1) Plug in the Volar to a USB 2.0 port.

2) Insert the AVerTVHD Volar CD.



3) Select "Install Driver" if using a third party application such as Vista Media Center, SageTV, or BeyondTV4; otherwise, if you're using the included application select "Install AVerTV".

4) Follow the prompts and then set up the third party application or go into the AVerTV application and scan for channels (see Below)



Now your ready for some HDTV!

NOTE: For Media Center 2005 you will need some decoders (see the Decoders Explained Page here ), and an analog tuner.

SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD SITE: http://www.aver.com/mpd/support/download/volar.html

For more information on AVerMedia products go to http://www.aver.com/multimedia.html


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