AVerMedia AVerTV Express mini PCTV Tuner Card MTVEXMINI ExpressCard 34 Interface

Pros: Over the air worked well

Cons: Didn't work with my parents comcast cable service.
Also the antenna broke off into the card and so the antenna is useless.
I owned it from the end of december 2010 to mid january of 2011, and that is the point at which the antenna broke off into the card. After this, i returned it to newegg for a refund.

Other Thoughts: If you want a TV tuner you should get avermedia's USB version. It looks stronger than this one.

Pros: Nice idea...

Cons: The antenna extension is garbage. The customer service is worse. The thing barely stayed in the socket in the first place, and then it breaks off in the hole. What's worse is I send it in for replacement, they send me the exact same thing back, claiming they fixed it. No, it's still garbage. Normally, I would just stick a copper wire in there for an antenna and call it good, but the thing that would hold that copper wire doesn't stay attached to the card. You can have all the technology in the world inside the card, but if its connections are faulty, so is the product. To top it off, their 'solution' was nothing but a waste of time.

Other Thoughts: Aver Media, please observe my middle finger aimed in your direction.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Since the RF connector cable broke and the broken piece is stil stuck inside the port it will need to be removed in order to attach a new connector. We can repair the unit for you under warranty. Please contact Technical Support for your warranty repair.

http://support.avermedia-usa.com

Pros: I bought this tuner to increase the capabilities of my laptop and it works quite well. Both Windows Media Center and the Avermedia apps recognize and play bothe analouge and digital tv along with fm radio. I am able to pull in digital station from over 30 miles away just with the included antenna clipped onto the laptop's screen. For me, this tuner is quite sensitive and does what it is supposed to do. It provides a quality picture with very decent sound as well.

Cons: I haven't run into any yet. This tuner just seems to work.

Other Thoughts: My ExpressCard slot is 34mm, so there is no problem with fit. I have seen other reviews that seem to find the included adapter for the larger slots aren't as stable as they might be. Just something to keep in mind when considering making a purchase of this card.

Pros: Easy to install. Image quality seems pretty good... when nothings moving.

Cons: I mostly use the composite video input to play my PS2 using my laptop's display. Or I would, if not for the flickering black bars that appear whenever the scene changes or there is movement in-game. The flickering bars disappear if the image remains static, but since I don't intend on staring at the game's title screen, this is not an option. This is regardless of which media player software I use, so it's clearly a hardware issue.

And speaking of which, the game plug-in is incompatible with Windows 7's Media Center, meaning it only works with Vista, the worst Windows version since ME. Is it really that difficult to keep your software up-to-date?

It's just a shame I'm way past the RMA date, but that's my fault.

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Since you are having video issues using the composite input please check your graphic card drivers. If the drivers are outdated go to the manufacturer's website to download and install the latest version.

The latest drivers are available on our website listed here. http://www.avermedia-usa.com/AVerTV/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?Id=478&tab=APDriver

We have tested the Gaming Plug-In with Windows 7 without any issues.

If the issue continues please contact Technical Support to troubleshoot the issue.

Technical Support 877-774-4543

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

Pros: I really liked this tuner, it worked well wih my system

Cons: The connector broke off,

Other Thoughts: I don't know what would work better but next time I'll get a USB device

Manufacturer Response:

Dear Customer,

Since the connector broke on AVerTV Express mini we can provide you with an RMA to get a replacement. Please contact us to request for an RMA.

Technical Support 877-774-4543

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

Pros: excellent video and audio quality when using Windows Media Center; capable of picture-in-picture; low-priced; well manufactured; real-time H.264 recording compression; OTA, and digital cable; FM reception

Cons: included software is demonstration-quality only; stabilizer spacer easy to lose and doesn't fit snuggly; spacer is colored white but should be black- or grey-toned; coaxial cable attachment easy to snap off; included antenna not suitable for use; optional remote not included and requires a software driver

Other Thoughts: I got this for a Toshiba 18.4" laptop with a 1080p screen. Don't use AVerMedia's software -- it's flat and grainy with washed-out colors. The read-me recommends setting the screen to 16-bit color (!) when using the manufacturer's software. And the user interface is not nearly as good as Windows Media Center, either. Forget it, use WMC. It really gets the maximum from this hardware. Remove the coaxial cable adapter before you move the laptop. It's designed to break away to prevent damage to the card. The RM-HV remote isn't included and requires a driver but looks well laid out. It also has PIP and previous channel buttons. The spacer isn't snug and is easy to loose but it's just cosmetic (and should be black not white). If you're serious about OTA HDTV, put the included antenna in a drawer and get some RG6 low-loss coaxial cable and the Eagle Aspen DTV2BUHF Directv 2-Bay UHF Antenna (it also picks up Hi-band VHF). That antenna mounts perfectly on a wooden counter top paper towel holder.

Pros: Quick, easy setup
Works flawlessly with Windows Media Center 7
Outstanding video quality
Nice little tote provided for cables, etc.
Stabilizer provided for use in ExpressCard 54 slot.

Cons: N/A

Other Thoughts: I'm using a hybrid analog/digital cable feed with my tuner card. Windows 7 Media Center recognizes the the card as two individual tuners and provides a mix of both analog and digital stations in its TV Guide.

Pros: It is really easy to install, just follow the instructions. Brings in a nice video feed. Works wonderfully with Windows Media center, so I can record numerous shows. I have the capability to play my PS3 on my computer now. Granted it will not be HD, but at least I have the option.

Cons: It comes with a radio function that I have attempted to figure out once, but could not get it to work. I'm sure if I spent a little more time on it, I could get it working.
Other than that, no other problems, it's worked great, plus it's nice to have the adapter to have either 35mm or 50mm cable input ports.

Other Thoughts: All in all, I love it. It does its job, and it does it well. I would definitely recommend this tv tuner.

Pros: Fits flush in my laptop
Picks up local HD channels
Works great in my dorm room. No need to buy a TV

Cons: Antenna is worthless but I have cable so it's not that big of a problem.

Other Thoughts: Never installed the software. I use this with Windows Media Center and it works flawlessly.

Pros: Seamlessly works with my house cable connection. Found all channels.

Cons: There is no internal antennae on the card. It is a separate contraption you plug in: tiny rabbit ears, and a coaxial cable connector. These plug into the card using wires.

Other Thoughts: I tried the rabbit ears and found no channels. However, I live in the hills where I do not get a TV signal with out cable, so this is not the products fault. I will need to try the rabbit ears somewhere that has a signal.