Review of the ATI TV Wonder HD 650 PCI Express


PROS
  • Two separate tuners, one analog, one digital
  • Runs with own software, MCE, 3rd party applications
  • Tunes HDTV/Digital (OTA or QAM cable) and Analog (OTA or cable)
  • ATI application works with TitanTV for 2 week recording scheduling
  • Includes FM tuner that works with Microsoft Media Center
  • Low profile card (half-height bracket NOT included)
  • Works with clearQAM under Windows 7 Media Center

CONS
  • ATI tuner application software (Catalyst Media Center) not supported under Vista OS at this time.

COST Around $140




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COMMENTS:
  • ATI/AMD has a solid product here. Too bad their application software which supports unencrypted QAM cable tuning is not supported on Vista. The card drivers and remote software load automatically on Vista and the remote works fine with Microsoft Media Center. You'll have to play with the remote for awhile to see what works as there is no documentation to speak of.

    I recommend this tuner for those who want digital over the air and analog over the air or cable with Vista Media Center or Media Center 2005. You can record one analog and one digital program at the same time since these are two separate tuners.

    If your looking for digital QAM especially on a Vista OS, I'd go elsewhere.

Make sure you have a vacant PCI express slot in your PC.


SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
  • AMD AthlonTM or AMD Sempron™, Intel® Pentium® 4 or Celeron®, (or compatible) CPU.
  • Sound card and speakers.
  • System memory: For Windows® XP: 256 MB required, 512 MB or more recommended for better performance. 1 GB or more recommended for Windows Vista®
  • CD-ROM drive (for installation software).
  • An ATI Radeon™ DirectX® 9 compatible or newer graphics card is recommended for optimal display output quality.
  • Cable TV signal or amplified antenna.
  • Free PCI Slot on Motherboard.
Supported Operating Systems
  • Windows Vista and Windows 7 (all versions)
  • Windows XP
  • Windows XP Media Center Edition

Package Contains
  • TV Wonder 650 Hybrid TV tuner
  • Audio/Video Input Block
  • FM Antenna
  • Full featured remote with receiver
  • Installation CD
  • Install Guide
  • AMD LIVE!TM CD


SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD SITE: http://ati.amd.com/support/driver.html

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