Review of the AVerTV Hybrid Ultra USB Tuner

Review of the AVerTVHD Volar USB Tuner

Reviewed Spring, 2008

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 32 & 64-bit drivers
Analog hardware encoders
FM Tuner
Remote Control included (see below for more remote control information)

CONS

Not digital cable (QAM) capable
Software decoders for MCE 2005 digital TV not included

COST Around $110-$130

NOTE:

This tuner package comes in two versions. The MCE Upgrade Kit, comes with a MS certified remote, including IR blasters. It is about $20 more than the, AP6 package, which comes with a remote that works only with the AverTV application. For more information on the Microsoft Media Center remote go here.

Get the AverTV Hybrid Ultra USB Media Center Upgrade Kit
here for $108.49 with free shipping!

You'll also help support this site.

THANK YOU!

COMMENTS:
The AverTV Hybrid Ultra USB is the first USB hybrid with hardware encoders (see more on hardware encoders here ). That combined with the fact that you get an FM tuner too makes this a great choice for a laptop or a true multi-media system. I also like the fact that you can get it with a MS Media Center remote. That alone will cost you $40+ by itself.

Because it is a hardware encoder hybrid, it will work with MCE 2005 as both an analog and digital tuner without any driver hacks. However to get analog and the FM tuner to work with Vista Media Center will require the routine described here.

The analog picture quality compares favorably with the hardware encoder standard (ATI 650 & Hauppauge PVR-150) tuners. The digital tuner is 5th generation, so it's good with multi-path and with weak signals. You will need an antenna as the included one will only pull in very strong stations.

Get the MCE Upgrade Kit if you are going to use MS Media Center and the AP6 package if you plan to use the including AverTV application. You will need some decoders if you use MCE 2005 (see decoders explained here for more info).

SPECIFICATIONS
Input Signal
75 Ω Digital TV Antenna Input x 2
S-Video
Composite (RCA)
Audio In (L/R)
FM Radio Antenna Input
System Requirements
CPU: Intel® Pentium 4 2.6GHz with HT (Hyper Threading) or Equivalent AMD® Processor
Intel® Centrino Mobile 1.8GHz
512MB RAM or above
VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c or above
Sound Card
Windows® XP Media Center Edition 2005, or Windows Vista Home Premium or Windows Vista Ultimate (32&64 bit)
200MB hard disk free-space at least
For HDTV (MPEG-2) Only
VGA card supports DirectX 9.0c
Intel® Pentium 4 2.6GHz (Hyper-Threading) or Equivalent AMD® Processor
Intel® Centrino Mobile 2.0GHz
HDTV will only function when the TV signal is in HDTV format
1GB RAM or above

Picture is of AP6 Package

Package Includes
AverTV Hybrid Ultra USB
Dimension:112.3 x 91.5 x 17.5 mm
Weight: 150g
Quick Installation Guide
Installation CD
USB Cable
MCE Certified Remote Control (with the MCE Upgrade Kit Only)
Window MCE USB IR Blaster & Receiver (with the MCE Upgrade Kit only)
AverTV remote (with the AP6 Kit only)
FM Radio Antenna
RF Connector

INSTALL INSTRUCTIONS:
1) Plug in the Hybrid Ultra to a USB 2.0 port, cancel the Hardware Found pop-up or select "ask me later" in Vista. Make sure you plug the thicker of the dual USB cables into you PC. The thin one is for laptops that don't provide the standard 5 volts.
2) Insert the AverTV Hybrid Ultra USB CD and select Install AVerTV.

3) If using a third party application such as Vista Media Center, SageTV, or BeyondTV4 select "Custom"; otherwise, if you plan to use the included application select "Complete".

If you choose Custom, select "Driver" only.

Next, connect your antenna, open the AverTV application (if you are using it), and scan for digital and analog channels.

Now you're ready for some HDTV!

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