Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-850 Hybrid USB TV Stick/ Video Recorder

Pros: You get pure analog channels only with this. It can be hooked up to digital cable, you only get the analog channels.

Cons: No digital channels available, the antenna is comes with is a joke. Your off using a digital converter with this.

Pros: Not many.

Cons: The tuner picks up signal, but rarely well enough to actually display on my TV. My TV's tuner is much better and gets many more channels, clearly with not interruptions either.
With this tuner, you have to get max signal for it to even work. If your signal is normal, it won't be able to show the channel.

Other Thoughts: It also seems that it has to be turned on and warmed up for a few minuets to even get very strong channels. If you're looking to make an OTA DVR HTPC like I was, I'm just not sure it's worth the cost.

Pros: Cheap

Cons: DRM on 3rd party software for this thing to work. I've had it so long I have no idea where the original software is... So I go to their site & grab drivers & software & bam, I'm hit with a $9.95 fee just to get a 2nd license.

Other Thoughts: Directly from their site: Buyer beware:
Installation notes:
A valid WinTV application CD-ROM will be needed to install this WinTV v7 version. Any WinTV v6 or WinTV 7 application CD can be used during the install. If you do not have your original WinTV CD-ROM but would like to update to WinTV v7, you can purchase a new CD on the Hauppauge webstore for $9.95

Pros: Solid signal detection... External, so doesn't add to the heat in your machine (if you're using a desktop, external peripherals are a plus, and this baby cranks out some degrees)

Cons: WinTV Software is only slightly better than horrible. OH, and take the original CD that comes with this, and PUT IT IN A SAFETY DEPOSIT BOX, because if you ever lose the CD, you can never upgrade WinTV again (update program asks for the original CD), without buying a replacement CD for $10. Hauppauge tech support was completely unsympathetic to the fact I've been using Hauppauge products since 1986 (I kid you not, although probably a "different" company then), and that my laptop bag had been stolen (fortunately, not with my laptop in it, but WITH my WinTV CD in it).

Other Thoughts: OH, just one minor other thing - this device runs so hot, that after a year (less?) - the plastic case WILL crack/split, and eventually come off... This isn't necessarily a problem, if you don't mind a bare PCB, as it will probably run much cooler without being wrapped in plastic... Just make sure you grab it from the edges if you live in an area where static is a problem, or you'll brick your tuner.

Pros: This is not the easiest to install and have it work to it's FULL potential. It requires software downloads NOT included on the install CD (even though the CD had the most recent install package as of Xmas/08) from the website.
"Signal Monitor" is what makes this great! This download program lets you see the signal strength of your ATSC signal: so you can adjust your antenna appropriately. This is what sets this apart from anything ATI has to offer. The included software also allows you to add individual channels without re-scanning everything.
"IR" The 850 actually has a functional IR sensor on it (like the 950 which advertises it). A hauppauge remote works with it (obviously), but so does a Harmony (and you could always export the signal to a learning remote)! Have to see the dimple IR sensor in order to use a remote...
"Scheduler" is a download needed to use this as a PVR/TiVo (I re-installed this 4x thinking I'd done something wrong, before realizing I needed this program).

Cons: - Has Vista logo on box. I couldn't get it to work with Vista. I got fed up with Vista and went back to XP... this is not something I blame hauppauge for. But thought you should know.
- Remote ONLY works in the WinTV program! Doesn't work to control windows even if WinTV is running.

Other Thoughts: - Any HD video requires a computer with some power made in the past few years.
- I've had other USB HDTV adapters and this is the one I use now. ...Happily I might add.
- A very nice feature that comes in very handy is that the scheduling software automatically wakes my computer out of standby mode to record a program and then goes back into it. (A very handy feature if you have a laptop.)
- The included antenna isn't very good. The bottom line is that if you have line-of-sight to the transmitter it'll be fine. If not get an old pair of rabbit ears (they tend to be made better than the new "HD" ones: a marketing ploy).
- If your computer is using a lot of resources for HDTV add a video card. I added an ATI HD 2400 Pro (an old and cheap card nowadays) and was SHOCKED to see my cpu usage decrease by 50%! (It's a AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ with 1G of DDR2 on XP Pro)

Pros: it works, cheap

Cons: the install sucks. stick not usable in MCE(XP) without app install as per previous reviewer. S/W Does not install in Windows 7.7000 correctly.

Other Thoughts: 939 based mobo with matching vintage H/W nVida 6600LE old dual core 1.5gb mem. System has drive caddy, I swap boot drives, this USB stick works with xp MCE but nogo with W7.7000, I have had more issues with 7000.
W7 6801 was a better build
stick is direct cable connect with both systems.

Pros: Does what it is supposed to do, IF YOU READ BELOW. Gets both old analog and new digital over-the-air TV signals fairly well. I'm in a basement apartment, and the included antenna works pretty well. I'll run a cable upstairs soon for better reception.

Cons: 1. HDTV stutters, maxes my AMD Athlon 4000+ that I've overclocked to 2.7Ghz. I don't think it's the poor reception in the basement. You really need a fast machine for the HD channels to work (regular ones are fine).

2. Installation is not intuitive, and there's no manual available beforehand. Get this nonsence: the .PDF manual can' be found on the install CD, since it is packed inside the installer! How dumb! So if you do what I always do, which is ignore the CD and go straight to a manufacturer's website, you will screw up the installation. See "Other thoughts" for my install guide to make your life easier.

3. If you do go to the Hauppauge website, THIS ITEM ISN'T EVEN LISTED! Or, if it is, it is hidden by similar or dupicate model names. The package calls this the "Model 1230" in big letters, but the actual USB device has "WinTV-HVR-850" printed on it. I can't find either one on the website! How dumb is that? I know this is a small company, but seriously...

Other Thoughts: INSTALLATION (for XP, maybe others):

1. Boot up XP, then plug in USB TV thingy.
2. CANCEL all "Found new hardware" messages. There may be two or three. Wait for the "Problem with new hardware" message.
3. Then put in CD, and run installer (with device still plugged in). Run step 1, Driver Install, then Step 2, Applications.
4. Be patient with part #2 - It is really poorly programmed. It will seem like two installers are running at the same time, and you have to go slowly. Don't start clicking all over. Things will happen slowly. Restart when it asks you too.
5. In theory, it will work. Run the WinTV software, and say "yes" to the auto-scan on channels. This takes 5+ minutes, but then you are ready to go!