Pinnacle Pro Stick USB Tuner Review

Reviewed Summer, 2008
Revised February, 2009

NOTE:Hauppauge Computer recently bought Pinnacle so package may look different form the one displayed below.

PROS

  • Runs with included software, MCE, and other 3rd party applications
  • Tunes HDTV/Digital (OTA or digital cable) and Analog (OTA or cable)
  • Works as the only tuner in MCE 2005 (w/ Kram Drivers)

  • Good at tuning weak and multipath over the air digital signals
  • Digital tuner is unencrypted cable QAM capable
  • Includes remote (works for Pinnacle app only) and telescopic antenna
  • FM radio tuner included

CONS
  • Remote control is weak and small
  • Poor analog picture on over-the-air stations (not an issue after February 2009).

COST Around $100




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COMMENTS:
  • This USB stick tuner is a hybrid, and like all stick hybrids has a analog software encoder. Hence the analog picture is poor, especially for over-the-air stations. The digital tuner is excellent in pulling in weak signals. The included application is simple to install and use, and allows you to tune digital over-the-air or clearQAM (Digital cable) but not both at the same time as there is only one RF input. Works well with Microsoft Media Center but only for over-the-air digital. Vista Media Center does not supported clearQAM at this time and XP Media Center 2005 never will.

    A solid tuner with all the bells and whistles including clearQAM and FM tuner. Has 64-bit drivers in beta, but they test fine. There is also a digital only model (the HD stick) at a slightly lower price, and a model with flash that runs without installing any software on the PC (the HD Ultimate stick) at a slightly higher price.

    This review is for the latest hardware version of the Pro Stick. The older version is still being sold at local stores and on the net. I highly recommend this version as the older model does not have FM tuner or clearQAM capability. Be sure to download and install the latest software for best results (see download link at bottom of this page).

    NOTE: If you want the FM tuner to function in Vista Media Center, follow the instructions here.


    Features
    • Watch SD and free HD TV on your PC - no service fees
    • Includes remote control and high-gain telescopic antenna
    • Ultra-sensitive reception of both analog and digital TV signals
    • New: supports both digital over-the-air (ATSC1) and unencrypted digital cable (ClearQAM2) HDTV
    • New: stereo sound for both digital and analog TV
    • New: stereo FM radio reception
    • Turns your PC into a PVR with TimeShifting: pause, rewind TV
    • Electronic Programming Guide (EPG)
    • Compatible with Windows® Media Center3 (Windows Vista™ and XP MCE; remote kit sold separately)
    • VideoSpin video editing software
    • Capture from your cable/satellite set-top box or camcorder with the included A/V adapter cable
    • Automatically record shows to your hard drive in MPEG-1/2 or DivX4 formats, or direct-to-DVD
    TV Standards
    • ATSC (HDTV up to 1080i, SDTV)
    • NTSC (cable, over the air)
    • ClearQAM (HDTV up to 1080i, SDTV)

    Inputs

    • TV/FM antenna (F-connector/Coaxial)
    • S-Video, Composite Video (RCA), Stereo Audio (1/8")

    Recording Formats

    • MPEG-1/2
    • DivX4
    • MPEG-4: compatible with PSP or iPod (Trial Version)

    System Requirements

    • Windows Vista™ (32-bit) or Windows® XP with latest service pack
    • Intel® Pentium® 4 2.4 GHz, Pentium M 1.3 GHz or AMD Athlon™ 64 processor (for HDTV reception, a Pentium 4 2.8GHz or Pentium M 1.7 GHz or equivalent AMD Athlon 64 processor is recommended)
    • RAM: Windows XP – 256MB (512MB recommended); for Windows Vista – 512 MB (1GB recommended)
    • Free USB 2.0 port
    • Sound / graphics controller with support for DirectX® 9
    • Hard drive with minimum 1 GB free space (20 GB recommended for TV recording)
    • DVD player/burner
    • Internet connection for registration/activation

    Package Contents

    • USB 2.0 TV tuner for ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC and FM radio reception
    • Mini remote control including batteries
    • Portable telescopic high-gain antenna
    • A/V Adapter cable
    • USB extender cable
    • Printed quick start guide
    • CD with Pinnacle TVCenter Pro and VideoSpin editing software

    Software Download Link:

    click here for latest software


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