Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual Hybrid Tuner Review

Reviewed December, 2008


The WinTV-HVR-2250 is a dual hybrid (analog/digital) PCI-e based tuner from Hauppauge. Each tuner can be individually configured as either analog or digital. This is the first widely available PC card tuner with dual digital capability.

PROS:

  • Low profile tuner with low profile bracket included in the package
  • Each tuner has a hardware encoder for analog signals (less main procesor overhead)
  • Each tuner can be configured as both analog and digital in Vista Media Center using the Vista Hybrid Routine
  • Included application works with TitanTV Electronic Programming Guide(EPG)
  • Excellent at pulling in weak signals
  • Also tunes FM radio w/included tuner application or Microsoft Media Center
  • Driver and application support for both 32 & 64 bit Vista as well as XP and MCE 2005.
  • Supports clearQAM(digital/HD cable) with included application (WinTV), Vista does not support clearQAM at this time
  • Supports clearQAM with Window 7 Media Center with latest drivers from Hauppauge Website (see link below)

CONS:
  • Included application software somewhat confusing to install, setup and run.

COST: Around $150



Get the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual Hybrid PCI-E Tuner

for $114.21 with free shipping
or
with a Microsoft Media Center Remote Control and Receiver HERE

for $124.73 with free shipping!

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COMMENTS:

The HVR-2250 has only one TV RF input, which is split internally. This can be good or bad. If you want to have one tuner connected to analog cable and the other to a digital over-the air antenna for instance, well it's bad because it can't be done. If however you want to use the same input for both tuners its good, because it saves you from having to use an external signal splitter which can weaken the signal.

Bottom line, a perfect tuner for someone wanting two digital over-the-air tuners for Microsoft Media Center. For clearQAM you must use the included tuner application which, like the ATI tuner application, is over engineered, confusing and flaky.

NOTE: In Vista and XP, to use the FM tuner in Microsoft Media Center, you must have one tuner configured as analog. You can either dedicate a tuner to analog or use the Vista Hybrid Routine.


System Requirements
  • Processor requirements: 2.2 GHz P4 or equivalent (minimum) required for displaying ATSC high definition TV on your PC screen
  • Microsoft® Windows® Vista Premium or Ultimate with Media Center or Windows XP Media Center Edition. Windows XP is supported with Hauppauge's WinTV v6 application.
  • Available PCIe X1 or X8 slot
  • Graphics with 64 MB memory (or greater)
  • Sound card
  • CD reader for software installation

Software download site: http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_hvr2250.html


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