Personal video recorders (PVRs) are becoming increasingly popular. With Microsoft's release of Windows XP Media Center consumers are able to build a multifunction PVR, and home entertainment computer. In order for your computer to act as a PVR, you will need a TV tuner card. That is where AVerMedia steps in. AVerMedia has a wide selection of TV tuner cards that will fit almost any budget and any situation. AVerMedia has TV tuners ranging from high definition to standard definition, and almost every type of interface from USB, PCI, Cardbus, and PCI-Express.
I will be taking a look at one of AVerMedia's latest TV tuners, the AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 500. This PCI TV Tuner card features a dual tuner, and a FM receiver. In addition you can connect two s-video or two composite connections.
For a bit more background on AVerMedia and their business, the following was taken from the AVerMedia:
"Since 1990, AVerMedia Technologies has been on the forefront of leading digital multimedia technology due to a simple ideology: to turn advanced technology into innovative and high-value commercial products to corporate, government, educational and home consumers worldwide. Focusing on digital video technology, AVerMedia has expanded its product development to include the latest in TV Tuners, Video Capture, Document Camera, PC-to-TV converters, and Digital Video Surveillance products. AVerMedia's comprehensive and versatile product lines are designed to provide complete, yet easy-to-use solutions for beginning users to advanced digital and multimedia experts."
Features (taken from the AVerMedia Purity 3D MCE 500 TV Tuner website):
Watch & Record Live TV on your PC with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
» Watch live TV on one channel while another show on a different channel is recorded
» Record two different TV shows that are on two different channels at the same time
» Watch a show that you have previously recorded while two shows are recording at the same time, on two different channels
» Fully Resizable TV Windows
» Supports full band Air & Cable TV
Parental Channel Lockout
Personal Video Recorder function with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
» Pause, Reqind and Instant Replay Live TV
» Playback Your Recorded Programs While continuing to Record in Real Time (Time-Shifting)
» TV Recording Scheduler with Electronic Programming Guide
FM Radio function with Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005
» Listen to Live FM Radio
» Pre-set up to 9 Radio Stations
» Pause, Rewind, Fast Forward Live Radio
Specifications:
Input Signal
» 75 Ohm Coaxial TV Antenna
» S-Video (Cable not included)
» Composite RCA (Cable not included)
System Requirements
» CPU: Intel Pentium IV 2.4Ghz, 512 DDR memory
» Display adapter with 64 MB memory & DirectX 9.0 or higher
» Sound Card & Speakers
» Interface: One Free PCI Slot
» Operating System: Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 & Update RollUp 2
» Certified MCE 2005 DVD Decoder
Package Includes
» AVerTV Purity 3D MCE 500 TV tuner
» Secondary Video Input Daughter Board
» AVerMedia Warranty Card
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