Thread: PixelView PlayTV USB 415

TV tuners make a lot of sense for computer professionals who want to watch TV on
a computer or want to capture standard definition videos. TV tuners can very well be used for converting VHS, and camcorder tapes to digital formats that can be stored on a computer. Pixel View has made quite a name in the budget TV tuner space with some impressive products for desktops with really attractive prices. This month, we take a look at their PlayTV USB 415 card that promises TV viewing and video capture with added portability and a possibility to connect to a laptop. So, let's see how good this one really is.

BUILD QUALITY: The PlayTV is a really small device not any bigger than a large USB stick with a standard USB port on one end and an RF connector on the other. The whole package is really neat and self contained requiring only a cable connection or antenna for viewing TV. The only other connection available on this is the micro USB port that connects to a breakout composite cable. The breakout cable also includes audio connectors which directly connect with any device with standard ReA connectors. The PlayTV 415 comes with a card type remote that covers all the standard functions of a standard TV card and has a couple of special features of the included software. There is full PVR (Personal Video Recorder) functionality covered with the transport buttons, and volume control on the PlayTV remote.

FEATURES: The contents of the package include a driver disc, a RF-to-female Type F connector for direct connection to cable modems and signal amplifiers and splitters and an extension cable to connect to hard-to-reach USB ports. The box pack claims that the card works with Windows Media Center but it failed to work in our tests with Windows XP Media Center Edition and Windows Media Center in Vista Home Premium. The included software is just about average but it is not very open
to customizing.

The channel numbers cannot be changed and even the channel frequencies are not explicitly mentioned in the software. The hardware itself is pretty stable and works with PAL/SECAM/NTSC standards. There is support for Teletext on PAL, with manual color standard switching for composite sources. The audio stream is transferred through the USB connection itself and needs no other connections. The PlayTV works as a standard capture device with other PVR software, and can be also be used with editing software like Vegas to capture standard definition videos from composite connections.

VERDICT: The PlayTV does the job as a TV viewing and a video capture device with a simple connection and minimal hassle. However we do feel Media Center compatibility should be offered when it's mentioned on the box.
FOR: Simple connection, simple operation.
AGAINST: Does not work with Windows Media Center.



Specifications:-
Dimensions (WxHxD): 85x30x15 mm;
Color Formats: PAL, NTSC, SECAM;
PC Interface: USB.