AVerTV Bravo Hybrid PCI-e Tuner Card Review

• Runs with own software, Microsoft Media Center (both Vista and XP), and other 3rd party applications
• Tunes either HD/Digital TV, Analog TV, or FM radio
• Works as the only tuner in MCE 2005, as both analog and digital
• A low profile card, with bracket included
• Good at tuning weak and multi-path over the air signals
• Digital tuner is cable (QAM) capable
• XP WHQL and Vista Premium Certified drivers for both 32 and 64 bit drivers

• No remote or TV antenna

Get the AVERTV BRAVO HYBRID PCIE for
$71.24 with free shipping!

You'll also help support this site.

THANK YOU!

• The Bravo PCI-e card is part of a new line of budget hybrid tuners from AverMedia. It has one RF port for either cable TV or over the air antenna coax input. The Bravo can tune analog and digital broadcasts but not both at the same time (so you can’t watch a analog show and record a digital/HD show for instance). It also can be used to tune local FM radio stations with the included dipole antenna.

  It works with Microsoft’s Media Center (both Vista & XP versions) and comes with a quite full-featured Media Center on the install CD. The Bravo will setup as either analog or digital under Microsoft’s Vista Media Center (VMC) and XP Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE) but currently not as both unless you run the Vista Hybrid routine. Also you cannot use the radio function under VMC unless you setup as analog or use the Hybrid routine.

  The tuner supports unencrypted QAM (cable digital/HD) using the Aver MediaCenter (AMC) from the CD. The scan for both digital and analog cable stations takes quite awhile (10-15 minutes each), but you should have to do it only once. One of the cool things about the AMC is it will also do a separate scan for digital cable music stations. Cable companies often leave their digital music stations unencrypted, so even if you have basic cable you may be able to get many (I get 40) no ad music stations. The AMC will also let you record both FM and digital music, something VMC and MCE will not.

  Currently VMC does not support unencrypted QAM (digital cable). However there is a special driver and tuner application that will allow the Bravo to work with QAM under VMC. You can get further information on it here. The digital tuning is excellent on weak stations and for multi-path situations. The analog quality is not the best, but acceptable, especially if you are using cable.
  
  I would recommend the Bravo for desktop users who will seldom use analog TV and would like FM radio. Otherwise the AverTV Combo PCI-e with a separate analog tuner (but no FM tuner) would be a better choice at only a few dollars more.
  
  Although the package does not include a remote, you can get a Avermedia proprietary remote or a Microsoft Media Center remote that will work with the Bravo here.

  ---

  
  
  System Requirements

  • CPU: Intel® Pentium® IV 2.8GHz, (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD Processor or Higher
  • Intel Centrino Mobile 1.6GHz
  • Operating System: Windows® XP / XP MCE 2005 / Windows Vista (x86 or x64 bit)
  • Interface: One Free PCI-Express x1 slot
  • Sound Card & Speakers
  • VGA Card Supporting DirectX 9.0c or Above
  • Certified MCE 2005 DVD Decoder
  
  
  For HDTV (MPEG-2) Only

  • VGA Card Supporting DirectX 9.0c and DxVA (HDTV)
  • HDTV Will Only Function when the TV Signal is in HDTV Format
  
  
  Package Includes

  • AVerMedia AVerTV Bravo Hybrid PCIe TV Tuner Card
  • Quick Installation Guide & CD
  • AVerMedia Warranty Card
  • L/R Audio Cable
  • Composite Video Adaptor
  • FM radio antenna
  • Low Profile Bracket

  
  
  SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD SITE: http://www.aver.com/mpd/Bravo_hybrid_pcie.html