Guide To Life And Literature Of The Southwest With A Few Observations

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Tessie Ribiero says...

This is my second tuner and far exceeds the 'average' tuner I purchased at a local electronics store. Hauppauge provided excellent customer service helping me decide which tuner was best for my computer and my needs. I have a new HP system running Vista 64-bit and wanted a tuner to run with the Media Center already installed. It did not come with a TV tuner. The HVR-1950 model 1192 comes with an external MPEG-2 encoder which doesn't draw resources from the computer. Great for watching TV while working in other programs simultaniously. It also comes with it's own viewing program (WinTV V6) which I find relatively user friendly but I prefer to use Media Center for TV viewiewing, recording, and scheduling.The USB connection makes installation easy. Setup in Media Center was simple and picture quality and sound is as good as fatory installed Hauppauge tuners.

The package also comes with an FM radio antenna, remote control, and IR Blaster to control channel changing on cable or satellite boxes.

My only complaint was over the initial setup. Although the instructions are fairly complete for XP and Vista OS they do not address Vista-64 issues thoroughly. For Vista-64 users only, if you receive a message about "No device attached or no driver installed" even after going through the driver installation, you need to download the driver specfically for Vista 64 bit OS for the HVR-1950. http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_hvr1950.html. I had to hunt this down on Hauppauge website but once that driver is downloaded, setup completed perfectly and installation was complete. It was a little work but well worth the results.I love the tuner and my Media Center!

Posted on August 21, 2010

Jonna Bleser says...

This product is amazing. I had a Pinnacle DVD recorder (DVC 100) that I bought for $50 and worked once. It was for Win XP and I had Vista. There were "drivers" for Vista but did not seem to help. The after doing some research I found this device and I love it. I currently have Windows 7 Professional (I got it before the release thanks to my university) and the installation was painless. Unlike other reviewer I didn't have a problem finding the drivers on the manufacturer's website, but just in case. http://www.hauppauge.com/site/support/support_wintv7.html



This devices work perfectly with Windows Media Center. But if you're going to record something through the composite (RCA) inputs, you need to download/install WinTV. The one that comes in the CD is version 6. I didn't install it. I downloaded version 7 instead.



I did have some problems since I installed the drivers and used it with Media Center first, then I downloaded WinTV and just installed the application without reinstalling the driver. This caused WinTV to keep crashing. I uninstalled it, re-installed the drivers (from the downloaded file) and then installed WinTV and no problems.



There is lag when recording through the composite inputs but you just need a few splitters and problem solved, the recorded video was smooth although when there is no sound you can still hear a little static, kinda like an old tube TV but it's not very noticeable. Still I think this is is an awesome product and highly recommend it.



OS NameMicrosoft Windows 7 Professional

Version6.1.7600 Build 7600

System ManufacturerDell Inc.

System ModelInspiron 1420

System TypeX86-based PC

ProcessorIntel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo CPU T7500@ 2.20GHz, 2201 Mhz, 2 Core(s), 2 Logical Processor(s)

Installed Physical Memory (RAM)2.00 GB

Hard Disk Drive 115 GB of 148 GB free

Posted on August 23, 2010

Lavelle Bergmann says...

Does exactly what I wanted it to. Using a 2.4 ghz SFF IBM 8303 w/1gb memory and 80 gb harddrive running XP.Installation was a snap and I simply downloaded the the latest software from their web site. The whole thing is connected to my Samsung 47" LCD. I currently have the unit hooked up to cable. Recording quality is better that I expected as I also have a WinTV 150 in another PC, and the quality from the 1950 is much better. System resource usage holds at about 30% when recording. WinTV app is OK but I will be looking for something better. If you are looking for software Wikipedia has a good comparison guide.



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Posted on August 24, 2010

Sharie Dercole says...

This product exceeded my expectations with quality and functions.Not only is it a clear picture the remote supplied works flawlessly with Media Center (Vista).Your able to record tv, play movies, it even pulls up all the information up for a movie that you recorded on tv.If your going to purchase any tv tuner this is the one.With built in radio that you can record off of too.But you need to use Vista in order to use all the functions.



Good luck

Posted on August 24, 2010

Lelia Montgonery says...

I've read a lot of the reviews on this product with the majority of them bad mouthing it. I really like this product and I'll tell you why, but before I do, I'll give you some information on myself: 20 y/o male, currently residing in Greenbelt, MD right on the border of D.C., somewhat tech savvy running Vista Ultimate-32bit and use plain old rabbit ears from an old (and I mean an OLD tv).



Installion was a breeze, as easy as 1-2-3. You connect everything to HVR-1950, plug in your USB cable and vista does the majority of the work for you. The tuner comes with a driver/program cd that Vista will ask you to pop in after not being able to find the drivers online. At this point you can pop in the disk or go to the support site and download the latest version of the driver (which you should have done before hand anyway). Once its installed you can setup Media center or Wintv. I like media better so I can't say anything for Wintv because I haven't used it. Media center TV setup is so Barney style my 7 year old brother could do it on his computer if I'd let him. You follow the steps, read the screens, and push the pretty buttons. Once you've configured the device for MCE, and found all the channels your antenna, cable, or top set, and downloaded the t.v. guide your ready to watch some tv. Now here's where I'm seeing a few people get mush for brains, some stations are still broadcasting in ANALOG (usually the lower channels like 2,4,6,etc. at least in my area)!!! So your not going to get digital clarity from those channels!!! Its going to be fuzzy, have ghosting, etc. The higher channels are DIGITAL!!! So just go through the edit channel menu and delete all those nasty ugly analog channels cause you don't need them.



I was so impressed with the clarity and quality of the digital channels that I actually watched American Idol and Dancing with the stars because it looked that good. The sound was crisp and clear. The only thing I don't like about this thing is I can't record one show and watch another or record two shows and doing something (Like most DVRs let you do) that kind of upset me so I took a star off for that. Also when you record something it makes you watch that channel. If I wanted to watch it I wouldn't be recording it! lol. Even with those minor flaws the thing is amazing and I'm glad I spent the money.

Posted on August 25, 2010

Billy Shreeves says...

I would like to base my review based on a fully functioning product but this is not one.The hardware seems excellent.The software is horrible.I have owned the HVR-1950 for six months now and I still can't get there software to work properly.The WinTV v6 software it came with seemed like a hodgepodge of unfinished buggy programs.It crashed or froze routinely.Then a few attempts at upgrades.Even the installer is buggy causing multiple partial installs and uninstalls.Then they came out with WinTV v7.The software was a leap forward but still buggy, and you lost the feature to schedule using web based TitanTV.Then came WinTV v7 1.2b.Don't ask about the numbering.The installer asks for the install disk, but I downloaded the software so I don't have one.I put the original install disk in and point to it.Error.I tried pointing to where the files are on my hard drive.Error. ( Side point, the dialog box say click the OK button when done but there is no button named OK )I tried contacting support, email only please.It says they will get back in about 2 days.Its been 10 days with no response.Maybe others are using other software to make this box work but the Hauppauge software is worthless.Maybe in a couple years they will have the bugs worked out.I have seen similar complaints on other web sites.Bottom line, the software is virtually worthless.A bad purchase on my part.

Posted on August 27, 2010

Sunny Turnell says...

I have a Dell Dual P4 2.8GHz, Nvidia 8500/512M, 4GB memory, Vista Ultimate. Sorry XP guys, never had a vista issue, but the supplied software with this (WinTV, Ulead Movie Factory) does not cut it. Unstable and even in XP compatible mode. Any/all updates applied. Luckily I have Roxio Creator 2009 and it sees the unit and does its thing. Don't depend on the supplied software. The hardware has been flawless. Copying old VHS and can't tell the difference in quality (I am not a good photog either). Check for updates at the vendor also. I would buy this again. Nice quality feel and looks. I had to have an external unit also. TV tuner works also w/ my antenna.

Posted on August 27, 2010

Era Balster says...

This unit runs well under windows w/ Media Center.I have a Dlink DSM512 and hate it.I purchased a ITX Motherboard (7"x7"x3") installed, with a intel dual core 2 1.80Ghz CPU, 1 GB Ram, and Slimline DVD. (Nice for STB's),

(http://www.cappuccinopc.com/pandora-965-dr.asp). Comes all together, and I picked it up with a 320GB drive for under $400.I dropped this Hauppauge tuner on the USB, and loaded windows XP, and MS Media center.Runs fine.

But what I want is a PVR that gives me Music, Photos, Video, youtube, News, Weather, Streaming.... like free MythTV for Linux.(There is a mythtv for each distribution).I installed the actual MythTV, which is pretty manual.

A better way is to install mythbuntu 8.10.This is a simple download, burn the CD, install, configure a few things and you are running.However to watch TV you need to have a bit of patience and you will need to install the pvrusb2 driver, and extract the firmware from the windows drivers that the pvrusb2 driver looks for so it can decode the mpeg2 video stream.I will give you some links. If you follow Mark's instructions carefully, you will have a full working mythtv implementation in about an hour.(I basically installed this because I went from DirectTV to FIOS TV, and my PVR on DirectTV could record about 50 hours of Hi-Def. The Fios PVR can't get in more than 18-20 Hours Max, and both the FIos PVR and DIrectTV PVR have a 160GB Drive...In this way, yea, I have to say FIOS sucks compared to DirectTV, but the bundle is saving me $1200 a year.).So I now only record the Hi-Def Broadcast channels (OTA, Over the Air) series on my new mini-PVR. The ATSC OTA content is about 6.5-7MB/Hour.So if you do the math you can get nearly 40 hours on there. So Fox, NBC, ABC, series go on the MythTV PVR, and things I like on Discovery, or TLC, I record on the FIOS PVR.So to get you started you need: www.mythbuntu.com, and you should download the latest windows drivers for the HVR-1950 as you will need them.Getting the mythtv installed is pretty easy.TO compile the driver and get it installed is not too bad either. (here is the link for the PVRUSB2 driver and instructions: http://www.isely.net/pvrusb2/pvrusb2.html ).Mile Isely (The author of the driver and all around guru) describes how to extract the firmware from the windows files since the pvrusb2 driver needs this firmware to decode the mpeg2 video. This is the hard part, but he wrote a perl script to make it easy, and he has great instructions.But it is not for the non-technical I must admit. Here is the driver setup link (http://www.isely.net/pvrusb2/setup.html). Here is also a decent overview of the process from mythtv (http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Hauppauge_WinTV-PVR-USB2).



Once you get it working, you will love the extra features and power of the MythTV PVR. You can add your own content through the on screen interface, You can even use your phone, read RSS feeds, latest news.Nice.



I did see some complaints that you can't record one and watch another.

That is because the HVR-1950 only has one tuner. For those that say "I will get two!), the other limiting factor is the USB2.0 Bus.If you run two simultaneously you exceed the USB 2.0 bus capacity. :(



The Hauppauge HVR-1950 is a nice Tuner when you can't drop a card in the PC...

Posted on August 27, 2010

Ines Landazuri says...

The software is horrible! I tried the updates didn't work properly. Soemtimes it will work but most of the time I loose the signal on both analog and Qam. The Qam will work and the analog won't. Have windows XP 2005 media center and worked sometimes, but most of the time it was buggy with the software. Also treid on my dell laptop using xp and the same problems! My dell is has 4GB ram NVIDA Gforce card, everything works great on it except for this product. Bad purchase on my part!

Posted on August 27, 2010

Justin Eckstein says...

I purchased a Dell XPS "Red" One desk top system in March 2008. Right from the beginning, the Media Center TV would not work properly. I either got a snowy or grainy picture or was unable pickup the TV tuner card. I worked with Dell who told me after numerous efforts that I was not getting enough power to tuner card. So I purchased an amplifier and got slight improvements. After numerous efforts with Dell, I was told to contact Microsoft as it could be a Media center problem caused by SP1 update to Vista Ultimate. They sent me a new copy of Vista Ultimate and I cleaned installed. You can guess, the Media center could not find the card. In November 2008, after numerous efforts by Dell to correct, they sent a technician with a new TV tuner card. Guess what....still did not find the the TV tuner when booted up. I just gave up. Three weeks ago I did a clean install again with the hope of correcting the problem. The Media Center found the TV tuner card but I still got a red grainy picture. Contacted my Cable company and they came out to check the cable. They replaced the cable from the wall to the splitter and then the two cables from the splitter leading to the modem and the PC. Guess what...still a bad picture. He then brought in a TV and connected the from the cable from the PCto TV and got a perfect picture. I was frustrated. He then recommended I get a USB TV Tuner and check it to see of there was a problem with the tuner and mother board. I was going to get back with Dell but chose to search out on amazon.com and came up with this unit....the Hauppauge 1192 WinTV HVR-1950 External USB HDTV Tuner/Video Recorder.Why, if my Media center was bad or I had a bad PC lemon and Media Center did not worked, at least I could use WinTV to watch TV etc. I connected it as instructed, a very simple procedure. Loaded the drivers etc and booted up. To my amazement, it was recognized and loaded. Before I was going to load WinTv, I decided to check out the Media Center. Again to my amazement, the media Center recognized and picked up the USB Tuner....I completed all procedures and click on live TV. I was astonished as I got a crystal clear picture and my channels appeared in digital like clarity. I almost went through the ceiling with glee and joy. Everything is working perfectly for the first time in over 14 months. Yes I will contact Dell and inform them of what has happened. But I will not get rid of my Hauppauge no matter what. Do I need to go into the technical aspects of this unit, I do not think I have too. It works great. Do I need to load WinTV, I do not think I need to at this time. I will be connecting a wireless router and extender and adapter and connect to my large screen, and Blue Ray system to my PC and now use Media Center in my Living room as I always wanted. This USB Tuner sure beats PCI tuner cards (my tuner card is in my monitor). I highly recommend this unit over any other. I hope that by telling you my troubles that I had which were reconciled by the Hauppauge 1950 is a help to you. If it worked for me, it just might work for you and get you up and running like it did me. I am highly satisfied and over-joyed with the results. I think this just might be the best way to go....USB TV Tuner.

Posted on August 27, 2010