AVerMedia AVerTV Combo G2 (White Box) MTVCOMG2W PCI-Express x1 Interface

Pros: * Worked in Windows Vista / 7
* More sensitive than the Hauppauge I had
* Free TV, booyah

Cons: * Single tuner, but eh you know that when you buy it.

Other Thoughts: * I bought this because I had a Hauppauge HVR-2250 and felt like one more tuner would be enough for our ATSC setup.
* Surprised to find out that it picked up more channels than my hauppauge, and better signal on the others. Quickly made this my primary.
* I ended up swapping this for an HD HomeRun because I could put the homerun on the other side of the house much closer to the antenna, which gave it even more channels. However, if I wasn't going the homerun route I would recommend Avermedia because of my performance had better results than the Hauppauge.

Pros: Its small, doesn't take up much space, and doesn't come with a remote if you have one already.

Cons: Has no one here had this issue before? When using a cable set-top box, I can get all the way to last step until it asks for an IR Receiver and remote. It's just stupid that WMC requires a remote in the first place. But when I caved and bought an IR remote, it still could pass the last step. No real fix to the issue that I could find the on net, and I spent hours looking. I'm trying Hauppauge next. One that comes with an IR remote even thought I don't want one.

Other Thoughts: some one please tell me why WMC requires an IR remote if you have a cable set-top box

Pros: The driver installs without any issue, it actually has 64-bit drivers unlike other tuners, easy to set up WMC with it, works flawlessly so far.

Cons: No CableCARD support? Then again you can't expect it to at the price.

Pros: If using Potplayer (freeware) you can get many clear QAM channels.

Cons: I understand why some buyers are frustrated. I ran into Potplayer only after trying half a dozen PVR applications without success.

Other Thoughts: Some channels with mismatched audio and video streams. Need to click the A or B icon (lower right side) to make selections and edit the channel.

Pros: HD TV looked great.
New Egg was great about returning it.
AverMedia reads and responds to negative feedback on Neweggs customer reviews.

Cons: Video capture didn't work too well. While recording: the screen would glitch and scramble then it would look good again only to repeat. Messed around with if for a couple of days before I decided to return it. Changed pci-e slots, cables ect..
AverMedia suggests Windows Media Center works well with this card, and it does, unless you want to record video as the record button was always greyed out for me. The card did work well in all other respects with WMC.

Other Thoughts: I leaned a little to much on AverMedia responding to negative posts about their product. I really like seeing that but in this case I have to say the support was hard to get in touch with and email tag was just directing me back and forth. I truely was not impressed with the support or their product.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

The video issue is most likely due to your graphic card drivers. Check the driver version and if it is outdated you will need to install the latest version from the graphic card manufacturer's website.

We also have updated drivers from our website that you can download which will run more stable than previous versions. You can download the latest version here. http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=476&tab=APDriver

Technical Support 877-774-4543

Live Chat is available at http://www.avermedia-usa.com/avertv

Pros: HD TV on the card looked real good, TV tuner worked well with Wundiws 7, Windows Media Center.

Cons: Video capture worked poorly. Picture was good then it would glitch and scramble then be back to normal.
I could watch video from my VHS if I didnt mind the picture glitching most of the time. Windows Media Center tho, would not record at all but It showed AverMedia sign in the upper left hand corner of the screen. The record button was always greyed out.

Other Thoughts: The on selling point of this hardware was AverMedia watching the feedback on newegg. I truely respect and stronly consider manufactures that comment on negative feedback in a supportive way.
AverMedia was not helpful in my case, I emailed them and was redirected towards tv tuner support....(?)
I tried calling them and after a short time on hold was directed to leave a voice mail message, I did and three days later I have not been responded too, now Im writing this reveiw.
I decided to chance another capture device and Newegg has been nothing short of great about the whole thing.
Thanks Newegg!

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Since you are experiencing video issues you may want to check the graphic card drivers on your computer. Most of the time using older drivers for your graphics card may cause issues and needs to be updated to the latest version. You will need to get the latest driver version from the video card manufacturer's website. If you continue to experience issues please contact Technical Support.

Technical Support 877-774-4543

Live Chat is available at http://www.avermedia-usa.com/avertv

Pros: Nice video, even in standard definition. Works well with Win 7 64 bit (download the latest driver). Windows Media center supports both standard and high-def at the same time. You must split the cable and run 2 coax cable inputs to get this to work. I suppose they could be antenna inputs too. I didn't try.

The problem with Media Center is that it records in a proprietary format only. It does not use the now standard mpeg 2. You can burn a DVD from the Windows codec but it takes hours to trans-code down to a standard DVD. I have a fast system 4 processors, 6 gig of ram, high end Nvidia graphics card and it takes 2 or 3 hours to burn a DVD from this software. Once it does burn the DVD, the video quality is very good. Not sure if it can burn a Blu-Ray or not. I don't have a burner yet.

Cons: Does it work with regular XP? The driver loads but there is no application software that seems to work with it. Avermedia deliberately sabotages the firmware so their Avermedia recording and viewing software doesn't run on this. You have to buy the retail box version tuner card. The white box just won't run.

This is mean spirited and not made clear on Newegg's Web site (or any others I have found that sell this card) and it does not make me want to buy more of Avermedia's products.

Other Thoughts: Says it works with Sage TV but I downloaded the trial and it is a mess of a program. Very buggy, endless patches and extra support software needed.

This card is really only for Windows with Media Center. I think it does run with 32 bit XP Media Center Edition but straight XP Pro, no way. It's only the most popular OS on the planet.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

AVerTV Combo G2 white box is designed for Windows Media Center and will not work with AVer MediaCenter. We do mention on our product description. http://www.avermedia-usa.com//AVerTV/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=476

However, the Tuner is compatible with 3rd party software like SageTV, Beyond TV, or Cyberlink PowerCinema.

Technical Support 877-774-4543

Live Chat is available at http://www.avermedia-usa.com/avertv

Pros: EZ install W7, Drivers loaded no problem, Media Center setup channels and signals properly

Cons: no remote

Other Thoughts: With soo few digital (ATSC/QAM) public stations, the majority of use is recording and viewing Analog cable channels on my W7 Media Center.
Comcast sent me a couple digital boxes, but was unable to use with this card.
I am now saving up for a cableCard so I can watch HD cable channels and broadcast to my media extenders.

Pros: Works great with Windows 7 64bit Ultimate. Running on Core i7 920 with dual 24 inch monitors and Geforce 9600 GSO.
Beautiful HDTV, and able to record HD while watching an analog channel (cable system).

Picks up ClearQAM and over the air ATSC signals

Cons: None, other than Windows 7 quirky setup for Media Center.

Other Thoughts: I have had several other HDTV cards and by far this is the best.

Pros: Works well with Windows 7 Media Center once you figure out the drill.

Cons: Card can be a pain in the ........ (insert expletive of your choice here.)

Other Thoughts: These cards are finicky may not work with default driver that windows installs, get the correct driver for your system from Avermedia first. If it squeaks when watching analog on your Intel machine turn the C1, C2, C3 etc.... stuff off in the BIOs took me several months to discover this. Also if Media Center stalls at downloading latest tv setup data uninstall playready PC and Media Center in Devices and Programs then restart and reinstall Media Center and run setup again you should be golden also took several months to discover this too. If you have open slots it works best in a slot below the video card, for a couple of reasons, easier to attach cables and Windows seems to recognize it much easier.