Pinnacle StudioPCTVPro for 29.99 after MIR at Compusa

[FamilyLaw]

Thank you. Got mine at lunch. Looking forward to installation.

 

[BabyFace]

hmm.. just bought and installed mine.. picture quality is kinda fuzzy... and i dont think its the connection to my dorm room.. my neigbors all have picture clear quality on their real tv.. not sure what it is. but bah... for 29.99 who cares bout static.. i can watch CNN news!!

 

[manko]

Question for people who have this:

Can I use this remote without installing the card? I really need a remote for PowerDVD and this looks like a good deal. Also, is the remote in the box, or do you have to mail away for it?

TIA

 

[dimwit]

ItsStillUS, what kind of computer do you have? I think even my old 286 had a 9 pin serial port and my modern Abit VH-6 motherboard does too. Now if it came with a 25 pin serial port, that would be different.

 

[csiro]

manko

The remote comes with the card. You can use the seperately from the card since it goes through the serial port. But you'll probably need some sort of software that's compatible with the remote.

 

[manko]

thanks, I'll give my local store a call

 

[uvgurer]

Is the remote the newer 57 button one that some posters on the Pinnacle support board have reported getting with it (pictured here: Pinnacle Remote), the 24 button one shown on the back of the box, or some other kind?

 

[csiro]

The remote is the one that's picture on the link. (but that has only 41 buttons, not sure where the 57 button comes from...)

 

[uvgurer]

Thanks csiro.
You are right, there are 41. The extra 16 buttons exist only on the remote in my sleep and caffeine deprived mind.

 

[MrElectric]

Nice price, but it only captures half-frame video. I'm looking for a full frame capture card.

 

[manko]

Well, I picked one of these up. If I can get the remote working correctly for PowerDVD, it will be worth the price. Most IR remotes are around $50.

Izpoof, any tips on the keymapping (exact syntax)? So far I can only get one button to start PowerDVD. I've tried to map in some of the PowerDVD keyboard shortcuts for play and pause, but they don't seem to work. I'm trying to map the keys under the PCTV Teletext commands, because I probably won't be using that function.

Of course, I had to install the card too. I think I've got it on a non-shared IRQ, but for some reason the sound will cut out after a few seconds in the PCTV Vision application (tv viewer). I tried updating drivers from Pinnacle, but it still works the same (or actually, doesn't work). Has anyone had this problem with the audio dropping out after a few seconds on Windows2000 with a Soundblaster Live? I didn't see any posts about this on the Pinnacle forums.

I couldn't find a solution, but I did find an alternate app to replace the PCTV Vision viewer. Dscaler: Download Dscaler here This app is free and it seems to have a lot more options than the PCTV Vision viewer. Dscaler solved my audio problem too. I would still like to see if I can get the sound fixed on the PCTV app though. BTW, I used the TV Tuner setting of "Temic 4036 FY5 NTSC" which seems to work (I'm too lazy to pull the card and look at the chip).

If I can't get the profiles.ini editing to work with PowerDVD, I may try this IR remote keymapper, mentioned on the Dscaler site, which is compatible with the PCTV Remote: Girder IR software download. Scroll down for a PCTV remote driver.

Here is some very basic info about keymapping using the profiles.ini file (in .pdf format).

It's a cool little remote (same as in the pic linked above), so hopefully I can get it working (then use my wireless IR extender to control my computer from upstairs).

I was also wondering, is there any way (or any reason) to use Win TV drivers with this card? I would guess not, but it can't hurt to ask...

 

[manko]

Well, the sound drop out problem is just buggy/sloppy software. Depending on whether you open the PCTV Options menu, then hit Cancel or Ok, the volume will go down (sometimes to 0) or up. Secondly, the volume control on the PCTV app, controls the Main System sound, but not vice versa (changing the system volume doesn't change the position of the app's slider.) A partial solution was to change the Audio options selection to a device that is not actually being used (ie to Microphone, instead of Line-In), this way the volume bouncing up and down will not affect the real volume.

I'm still working on the remote functions...(any tips are welcome!)

 

[cisip]

I use an ATI TV Wonder and its software to schedule vcr recordings on my PC. THis in conjunction with the motherboard's real time clock to setup the PC to wake up at a predetermined time everyday and a software utility such as AF1 to schedule when to shut down the PC. If you are considering using your pc as a vcr, consider the space requirements and the video format you will be using and if this is supported by the card you are planning to buy. I use MPEG1 which can store a 1 hour show using 1 Gigabyte of space (at 1.85 megabits per second the quality is vhs). AVI is simply too big. I also chose MPEG1 because it can be played back by the HOllywood PLus and outputted to the TV.

 

[manko]

The remote is working great now (all the DVD navigation and playback functions in PowerDVD), thanks to IR Assistant. This seems like the best software, with mouse movement macros and tons of useful options.

I did get the bundled PCTV Remote software working ok with the profiles.ini file, but it only allows keyboard commands (and most of the documentation is for an older version of the remote).

Along with IR Assistant, this remote is a Super Hot deal. (And I got a free tv-tuner card too!)

 

[necromancyr]

Just as a side note to people about this card. A few things.

1. It DOES work in WinXP. Make sure you get the WinXP drivers from their website (4.02a). Install them and you should be fine. THE TESTS WILL PASS IN XP AS WELL.

2. GeForce Problems: It seems that 32bit mode has some issues with overlay (this is the GeForce, not the TV-Card). Switch to 16bit color and poof, no more problem.

3. There are Beta WDM drivers here. These SHOULD let it work with PowerVCR, etc.

Overall, if I get the PowerVCR program working (or something similar) I'm keeping the card and will be happy. For 30$, I got a 17" TV/VCR/Capture Card/Radio Tuner/Etc. in my computer. As my girlfriend said, all I need now is a fridge and toilet in my computer room and I'll never come out.

 

[manly]

LOL necromancyr

 

[freakflag]

Got mine today. Manager had to go search through the warehouse to find the last one. The shelves were empty,but, inventory showed one more in stock. Helluva nice guy. 13 always was my lucky number. Can't wait to install it.

 

[rx8]

there are still some left in the manhatten store on 5th ave and 37th.

btw...i can understand what manko is talking about. the remote alone is almost worth $30 it's nice and sturdy.
thanks kef7!

 

[Askani]

I got mine at the Broadway and 57th st one. Looked like they had a few left. I installed today and installation went well accept for the not winxp certified test but oh well. WIll connect cable to it tommorrow hopefully.

 

[JaMaiCaNmOn]

I got mine at the 57th st. store also. i installed it. i bought a splitter and some extra coax cables.
The problem is that i cant watch mtv,Bet,vh1 on the tuner card...its all scrambled.. but if i put the splitter coming out from the
Time warner cable box it works.. but then i have to use the remote for the cable box not the one for the tv card.
Anybody got any idea on how to make it work with the remote and be able to watch mtv. Also anyway to capture the video directly to mpg
format?.


thanks for the great deal.

 

[exisle]

damn all you nyc'ers with multiple stores

 

[spanky]

none in edison & union NJ stores...oh well...

 

[RobSay]

Remotes for computers don't cost as much as you guys think. I got my packard bell remote for 12 bucks shipped and it works great with third party software. Logitech remotes regularly go on egay and half.com for $10-$15.

 

[necromancyr]

The remote in this package is worth the 30$. Its 100x better then the Logitech/AST one. I have one of those - about 1/3 as many keys I think. This one has a button for everything. Also, after screwing around with the card and various drivers for 5 hours last nite I've discovered a few more things that might help people.

The WDM drivers work, but VERY poorly. I had trouble getting all of the channels to tune in off my cable line (given its noisy, but not THAT noisy). So, your going to be using their software, DScaler (which rocks), or VDub to use the card. All of which are great options.

The install programs are stupid. They weren't exactly 'tested' before being shipped out. You need to install the drivers, THEN run the program installation routine to be able to install the radio application. I think this is the company trying to keep people w/out the radio function (in the non-pro version of the card) from installing it - but it's insanely stupid that even when you SELECT to install it you cant if the driver isn't installed.

PowerVCR/ShowShifter/Etc. do NOT work (at least I couldn't get them to work well) with this card because of the lack of a WDM driver. Supposedly one is coming out...lord only knows when (Pinnacle is one of those companies...though the card is good).

Girdir is an option to use to get full functionality out of the remote - since certain buttons aren't programmed right. Also, search on the Pinnacle website/forum. There is some info on editing/adding functions to their remote program (even though its kinda crappy).

 

[exisle]

is this card based on a brooktree chipset like 878? i bought one i just havent had time to look into it. If so there are probably an abundance of various driver because the brooktree is very common