Product Description

Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick is an ultra-compact, USB-powered TV tuner that's the perfect match for super-slim laptops. The integrated signal booster improves reception sensitivity even if the signal isn't strong. The easy-to-use TV Center Pro software lets you watch, TimeShift and record TV. You can enjoy TV in full-screen mode or in a scalable window while using other applications. PCTV HD mini Stick comes with a mini remote control and high-gain telescopic antenna. Take it with you on your travels. Record the game, grab your favorite sitcom episodes or catch the late-night thriller, Pinnacle PCTV HD mini Stick makes it happen. VideoSpin is an editing software application that lets you edit home movies, mix in photos and music, and add titles and transitions, and more! It even comes with a one-click upload to YouTube. TV antenna input (F- connector/Coaxial) Recording Formats MPEG-1/2 DivX MPEG-4 - compatible with Sony PSP or Apple iPod (Trial Version) Ultra-compact HDTV tuner stick with super-strong reception Watch free HDTV on your PC - no service fees Supports both digital over-the-air TV (ATSC1) and unencrypted digital cable TV (ClearQAM2) Turns your PC into a PVR with TimeShifting - pause, rewind TV Automatically record shows to your hard drive in MPEG-1/2 or DivX4 formats, or direct-to-DVD System Requirements - Windows XP or Windows Vista (32 bit) with latest service pack, Intel Pentium 4 2.8-GHz, Pentium M 1.7-GHz, equivalent AMD Athlon 64 processor or higher, 512MB RAM, Free USB 2.0 port Sound/graphics controller with support for DirectX 9 or higher Hard drive, 1GB free space (20GB recommended for TV recording) CD drive (DVD burner required for DVD recording), and Internet connection for registration/activation

Product Details

• Brand: Pinnacle
• Model: 82301006561
• Dimensions: .35 pounds

Features

• Includes mini-remote control and high-gain telescopic antenna
• Compact size HDTV tuner for easy travel and storage
• Instantly turn your PC into a personal digital video recorder
• Record your favorite shows to your hard drive or direct-to-DVD
• TV Standards - ATSC (HDTV up to 1080i, SDTV) and ClearQAM (HDTV up to 1080i, SDTV) Inputs

Customer Reviews

Fantastic little device!
When I first heard anout this product, I was a bit skeptical, because of some of the bad reviews that this product had recived over the internet.

However, I said what the heck, I can always send it back if it doesn't work out.

Save to say, this little wonder works great on my Vostro 1500, despite the bad reviews. I live in a podunk little town, and I got six very strong Digital and HD signals, and that was even without the use of the external antenna included, wich I would not use anyhow, due to it's magnetic base.

All my Digital and HD stations come in great, with very little or no breakup. If it does this well in a small town like Palm Springs, I am dying to check out what it can do in a major metro area.

However, it is not without some minor flaws; the bundled software it uses is slow, and to be honest , it sort of sucks. I would reccomend using something else, if possible, such as Windows Media Player, or Dell MediaDirect for the best results.

I would highly reccomend this to any college student who doesn't want to fight over waat they want to watch either in thier dayroom, or spending needless money for a tv set for thier dorm room. I would also reccomend it to travelers waiting on a connecting flight with nothing to do, and it would be great for campers who don't want to sink thousands of dollars into a sattelite system for thier rig. All you need is this little wonder, a decent laptop PC, and a few minutes of setup time, and you can have a truly portable entertainment system that rivals any HD Home Theater system out there, at roughly one tenth the cost.


It's also very handy when the local power goes out, as some of the newer PC's have up to 16 hours of battery life, even on full power settings.

So I strongly reccomend this product, despite it's small faults.

Worst piece of hardware ever
This is without a doubt the worst and most buggy piece of hardware I have ever owned. 1/2 the time it just doesnt work, it will rarely scan for channels, often freezes when changing channels, is mostly completely useless. If youre thinking of using your laptop as a portable TV, even if it has a fast processor and plenty of ram this is NOT the device to try. You will end up angry and frustrated just as I have.

tosakim
Found it cheaper at tigerdirect....Worth the money. Bought it a week ago. Easy to install. Great reception. Works better than the boxes I have hooked up to my TVs.
Love the convenience of it! Reception probably has a lot to do with your location. Guess I'm in a good place!