Foo - Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick for PC

Bikeforums.net is a forum about nothing but bikes. Our community can help you find information about hard-to-find and localized information like bicycle tours, specialties like where in your area to have your recumbent bike serviced, or what are the best bicycle tires and seats for the activities you use your bike for.



PDA

View Full Version : Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick for PC

no motor?
11-19-10, 06:14 AM
Anyone ever use one of these (http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11597022&search=545742&topnav=&Mo=0&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode%20matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=545742&Ntt=545742&No=0&Nty=1&Ntx=mode%20matchallpartial)? Or something similar that they can offer an opinion on?

kh6idf
11-19-10, 06:41 AM
I've had one for a few years, works great. I have a little Phillips amplified antenna the size of a paperback book in the attic that it connects to. The software that came with mine made it basically unusable, but I bought Beyond TV from SnapStream Media and it works perfectly now. I have a 20" widescreen monitor (1680 x 1050) and a GeForce 8800GTS video card. Snapstream also sent me a free firefly wireless remote control that operates all the BeyondTV functions so I can sit back and not have to use the mouse/keyboard.
monogodo
11-19-10, 11:55 AM
I use the Elgato EyeTV One (http://www.elgato.com/elgato/na/mainmenu/products/EyeTV-One/product1.en.html) plugged into a Mac Mini and outputting via HDMI to a 40" Samsung LCD HDTV. I've got an amplified HDTV antenna to pull in the 13 local stations that I might consider watching. It works great. The only issues I have are due to signal quality from the broadcaster.

annc
11-19-10, 06:26 PM
I have a similar one made by AverMedia. The device itself works fine. The antenna works okay but you can use a different antenna if you wish. The software works for just watching tv but if you want to record shows you will want to use dvr software like windows media center or elgato eye for the mac (make sure the device works on the mac first).
bjtesch
11-19-10, 07:22 PM
I bought one as an experiment, mine is a Hauppage model. It came with a tiny little antenna. I picked up a lot of channels in my area, but strangely the foreign language channels came in real well but the main channels did not. Apparently I need a better antenna. My next experiment when I get around to it is to connect my tv cable to it and try it that way.

I tried mine with the software it came with and Windows XP, and also with Win7 by itself. It seemed to work OK both ways.

I had visions of using it with my laptop when I travel, but in many areas reception might be a problem. Connected to my TV cable I could use it as a PVR, and also capture screenshots. I might be able to store various programs on DVD.