Guys - tell me your opinions on the Pinnacle Systems PCTV

[beer]

Alright on my xmas list is a video tuner, and I don't want the ATI TV Wonder since it has bad Win2k support.

First of all my capture card must have good Win2k drivers. Video capture quality is the most important thing; second, TV tuning and features.

I have come close to deciding on the Pinaccle Systems Studio PCTV for $40 at egghead.com.

What do you all think about this card? How does it compare to the Hauppanage Win-TV- (model 404)?

I had an Avermedia TV98 but the capture quality was less than expected..

furthermore, are there any differences between the PCTV and the PCTV Pro except for the remote? That's all their web site lists..

Thanks. Need responses ASAP.

 

[duke]

I have a Pinnacle Studio PCTV PCI and after some trouble with installation it works okay. The image is pretty good. The only problem is Pinnacle is quite lax when it comes to driver support. The Studio software only works in Win9x (not sure about WinME). Bottom line is if you run WinNT4 or Win2000 (what I'm using) then you might want to think real hard about getting the PCTV. The PCTV Pro adds stereo audio out. I've never used/seen a Hauppage so I can't comment.

 

[beer]

When you say the software, are you referring to the capture software or the editing software? Anyways I have a copy of Videowave III and can get a copy of premiere if its that big of a problem...

 

[beer]

^_^

 

[glen]

I have one in my system.
I have spent over $20 in calls to tech support.
They don't know why it crashes, and they can't/won't help me.

 

[beer]

What OS, glen?

 

[glen]

Win 98 and see my sig for the rest.
Not exactly a rare configuration.

 

[dc]

win2k drivers are available now.

works great on my system, doesn't have a lot of extra features, but it has everything i need.
the image quality is better than the hauppages i've seen.

 

[(M)]

Mine works fine in Win ME, but I could never get working in Win2K - caused BSOD and reboot at startup.

$40 may be a little high for this card. They were offering a $20 rebate when I bought mine a year ago - not sure if this is still around. BTW, I don't have any experience with other cards.