AVerTV Hybrid Volar MAX USB Tuner Review

• Works with own software, Microsoft Media Center (XP and Vista), and other 3rd party applications
• Tunes & records HDTV/Digital TV, Analog TV and FM radio (only one at a time)
• Works as the only tuner in MCE 2005 for both analog & digital
• Will setup in Vista Media Center as both a analog and digital tuner without using the Vista Hybrid Routine.
• Good at tuning weak and multipath over the air signals
• Digital tuner is cable QAM capable
• XP WHQL and Vista Premium Certified drivers for both 32 and 64 bit drivers
• CES 2008 Innovations winner

• No remote

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Because of the flexibility, portability, ease of use, price and QAM capability, the Volar Max is my selection for best all around HD/Digital tuner.
• The Volar Max card is part of a new line of budget hybrid tuners from AverMedia. There is one RF port for connection for either cable or an antenna coax input. The Max can tune both 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 if you are using an 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 Max is unique as it will setup as both a analog and digital tuner under Microsoft’s Vista Media Center (VMC) and XP Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE) without any software hacks.

  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 using this tuner and the AMC you may be able to get several (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 tuner application that will allow the Volar Max to work with QAM under 32 bit VMC. You can get further information on the setup here.
  
  The digital tuning is excellent on weak over the air stations and for multi-path situations. The analog quality is not the best, but acceptable, especially if you are using cable. If you are doing over the air, the analog side won’t be good for anything anyway after February 2009 unless you like to watch snow;)

  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 Max here.

• 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 USB 2.0 port
• Sound Card & Speakers
• VGA Card Supporting DirectX 9.0c or Above
• Certified MCE 2005 DVD Decoder

Package Includes

• AVerMedia AVerTV Volar Max USB TV Tuner Stick
• Quick Installation Guide
• AVerMedia Warranty Card
• S-Video/Composite 2 in 1 Cable
• USB Extension Cable
• Carrying Bag
• Portable over the air Antenna

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

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