Hauppauge ImpactVCB Video Capture Low-Profile Card PCI

Pros: Fits in a low pro slot.

Cons: I can understand the vitriol at people who didn't see that it was a low profile card. However, I can't believe that there is a production card on the market with NO WINDOWS 7 DRIVERS. You cannot even shoe-horn the drivers from XP onto the system. DON'T BUY THIS IF YOU HAVE WINDOWS 7. P.S. I'm not yelling, I'm WARNING YOU!

Pros: Rather cheap. Brand name.

Cons: Had a hard time placing it into the computer. It kept popping back out, but I was able to force it in somehow. When I was able to force it in, I discovered that the device did not support Windows 7. I should've read the details before purchasing.

Other Thoughts: I'm sure it would have been an okay card if it worked, but I never did for me because I was running on Windows 7. I don't know why newegg still has this card posted on their site. I figured "since newegg pretty much only carries the latest parts, I should be good." WRONG! Ahh well..... again, my fault for not reading details before purchasing. Instead of buying this card, spend a little extra money and get a something more better that does support Windows 7.

Pros: I personally get no noticeably delay when viewing the input on my PC, allowing me to play my games through it while recording or streaming without a need for splitters or a TV. Your mileage may vary.

Cons: Included software leaves something to be desired, and when multiple sources are plugged in under Windows, only one seems to work; not one at a time, one period, it doesn't seem willing to switch between sources.

Other Thoughts: Video quality for streaming and/or recordings is excellent (for 480i), but the quality of your own display (if you choose to use it) suffers a bit when stretched out to a playable size.

Using the WinTV software's recording options will scramble the video while recording. You can fix this by running a program installed in the same directory, called amcap, manually, instead of using WinTV's recording panel.

Do keep in mind this is low profile. If you don't have a low profile case, don't buy it, and don't complain when it doesn't fit.

Pros: Cheap. Name brand.

Cons: I never got to try it because it won't fit in my case. The back brace of the card is about half the height of every other PCI card I've ever seen. I don't see any spec that explains this, so I assumed it was the normal standard size.

Other Thoughts: Make sure your computer has the short expansion card back panels like I'm sure home theater PC cases have.

Pros: Works with one input at a time, so-so linux support

Cons: This card does NOT work with more than one input at a time under windows drivers.

Other Thoughts: Why put 4 inputs on a card when it only supports one at a time.

Pros: Pretty decent with a good NTSC CCD camera

Cons: The RCA connectors are pure, unadulterated junk. Now I remember why professional equipment uses BNCs for even baseband video. My video cable keeps losing contact, even though it is mechanically connected. And which physical input is which logical input is a head scratcher - you find out through trial & error.

Other Thoughts: My experience is with Linux, Debian kernel 2.6.25 and it just works with V4L2 out of the box. No tweaking required. I wouldn't even begin to think about messing with goofball Winders drivers for 32 bit/64 bit 2K/XP/Vista/7 and beyond. Since MS makes device drivers a moving target, you'd better be prepared to write your own. And if you complain about it, then you probably shouldn't be working with hardware.

Pros: It fits in the PCI slot...

Cons: This card might have potential... but the drivers don't work right... and don't get me started on the WinTV software. What a joke.

Other Thoughts: I bought this card... I have x64 bit windows. Drivers are incompatible. So I waste a ton of time digging up an old HDD and installing x32 for a dual boot. Drivers still won't work. Now they install, but the card doesn't output the video... so what cha gunna do. I had planned on doing thins ages ago... and now it's too late to return it. Goodbye $40... I'll miss you.

Hauppauge service is terrible too... and the website is unnecessarily difficult to navigate.

Conclusion: Don't buy this card. There are better ones out there that do the same thing for cheaper.... and actually work.

Pros: None

Cons: Misleading customer service.

Other Thoughts: I bought this card on the assurance that there were Vista 64bit drivers available for it. Reality hit when I learned that there are no such drivers available. Thus, this card is completely useless in Vista.