ASUS My Cinema-PE9400 Combo TV Tuner Card w/Low Profile Brackets

Pros: Installed easily in Windows 7 64-bit using the newest Vista 64-bit drivers on the Asus website (never install drivers from a CD; always download the latest). I like that there was just one driver to install, not like the 4 or 5 that my old BT8x8 capture card required. Windows Media Center detected and configured the card without effort, and the included remote worked immediately and very nicely. I have to stick up for ArcSoft Total Media (the included software) after many reviews lambasted it. It's not that bad. It has a good design, mainly because it's a clear rip-off of Windows Media Center (a plus in my book). It's particularly useful for capturing video from VHS and DV (or any S-video/RCA source). Without having to configure anything, you just press "Capture" and it starts encoding to MPEG-2 using the hardware encoder, and can even burn right to a DVD. It makes converting VHS/DV to DVD extremely simple. It's great if you just want it converted and don't need advanced options.

Cons: ArcSoft Total Media records only to MPEG-2 (at an unadjustable 6000Kb/s), so, while it's great at capturing video from VHS/DV/etc for burning directly to DVD, but it's not suitable if you plan to do any re-encoding with an outside program, since the image quality will suffer noticeably from it. Some capture apps don't recognize the audio-in jack as an audio source (the workaround is to use the line-in jack on your sound card or motherboard, instead, when using those apps). Not all capture programs support hardware MPEG-2 encoding, so one of the card's cooler features may not be available, depending on the program that you're using. Finally, the included antenna is worthless for picking up digital stations.

Overall Review: I can't comment on digital reception because the included antenna, that I was counting on to be enough, is far too dinky. In a way, it's nice that they included the dinky antenna, but that fact gets people's hopes up only to greatly disappoint them. If you plan on trying to get over-the-air digital stations, also plan on either buying a better antenna or making one for cheap via any of many internet/YouTube instructions (as I plan on doing). Overall, it's a very nice package for the price. Normally, you'd expect a package with these features and accessories to cost at least $100. There *are* a handful of cons, and I originally intended to give this product 4 stars, but I would have to say that the low price (after rebate) makes up for all of the cons. This is a very nice combo package for the price and is a great choice for anyone on a budget or just with non-high-end needs.

Pros: Works great with Vista Media Center. OTA picture quality is the best. I have Fios and it works well with the set top box too. Comes with all the accessories you might need. The blaster would be worth the price itself. Works perfectly with the media center, not like something being adapted to all tvs. Has an infrared emitter so your PC controls your set top box.

Cons: Yes, the documentation really sucks. The quick start guide is useless. Go to the manual on the CD, even though that is pretty poor too. At least you can see the connectors on it. This isn't that hard though and the tuner card is worth it.

Overall Review: First of all, don't over install. Put the card in, load just the drivers. Turn on Windows Media Center and it will guide you through the set up from there. I think this is where a lot of people are running into confusion and conflict. Second, the top RF connector is ASTC / QAM. This is where any kind of UHF/VHF, rabbit ears, either supplied antenna will do just fine, provided you have any kind of OTA available. The lower RF connector is NSTC / FM. Don't plug your set top box into this, bad results, and IMO only good for FM. The next two inputs, #1 mini jack, where the audio left and right splitter goes, and #2 s-video, with video input RCA jack converter is where you plug in your set top box. If you have Vista with any kind of decent performance score, do this, and you should be among the reviewers having fun. If you have some other kind of setup, I don't know, it may get a little dicey because this thing was obviously designed for Vista Media Center. Someone else let us kno

Pros: Im running it on Vista Home Premium 64x Easy to install and the drivers simple to install as well. I run it on digital cable and it works nicely. The remote works well and also works with the X Box 360

Cons: Media Software that came with tuner is horrible. Best to run on Windows Media Center. Graphics aren't amazing but it is normal TV quality

Overall Review: The DVR capability makes this card worth the buy. Recordings take up about 1.5 gigs per half hour, so its best to have plenty of drive space

Pros: Uses the same tuner ships as a typical Hauppage of the same type, with Asus build quality and support. Drivers are easily found on the web site without aggravation. (I'm sure they are on the CD it came with too.) The included remote is a good looking MCE standard remote with a solid feel and a style that matches the white Xbox 360 controller.

Cons: The same general con that applies to all Tuners: due to the cable companies own decisions, windows based tuners cannot tune digital cable, save for a the small handful broadcast in the clear. Again this is not a fault of this card, but an issue that affects all TV tuners.

Overall Review: Maybe one of these days the cable companies will make CableCARD authentication a reality, so we can run all our channels to Media Center or similar.

Pros: As before, price, ease of operation (once installation can be achieved, (*see below*) low power/CPU usage, good reception on both analog and digital tuners. Added, excellent PVR capabilities via the Total Media Software, and the remote works great with Win7rc-64, using either the MCE or included TM software.

Cons: As before, either the card or the bracket were preventing proper seating into the PCI-E slot. In my case, it required adjusting the bracket (bending at top) to make it seat properly. Others have also experienced this here, so mine is not an isolated case, and it may be the cause of some of the RMA's. Keep this in mind when you install yours. Additionally, I can't seem to pick up as many stations using Win7 Media Center as I can with the included Total Media software. Not sure why, but my system is top rate, with completely updated software. And finally, the manual and installation instructions are simply not befitting a company like ASUS. Few explanations about the included hardware or software, and no help at all with problems.

Overall Review: ASUS responded to my complaints and concerns in a quick and complete manner. I like this card a lot. It works well, and the included software actually seems to work better on my system than MCE (not sure why). If the Total Media software only had a "always on top" feature, it would be nearly perfect, and it's certainly less power hungry and quicker than MCE. This card is a tremendous value, and I would buy it again. One Egg deducted for the installation instructions/manual.

Pros: Best TV tuner card I have tried. It worked just as advertised.

Cons: None

Overall Review: I don't know why some people are giving this card and the ARC Software such a rap. I installed on computer running Vista Home Basic and it detected all 25 local over the air channels. I have outside UHF antenna 32 feet in the air and that may help. The software is very similar to Windows Media Center. I tried two other tuners, Hauppauge HVR1800 and VisionTek HD600 and RMA'd both. This one is far superior and the software is much, much better.

Pros: Low Profile Bracket! Media Center Remote and Reciever! Comes with an antenna!

Cons: I need a better antenna! No other complaints!

Overall Review: I have this card in an HP Compaq 5750 Small Form Factor PC with a Sapphire ATI HD4350 graphics card. I used the included low profile bracket. Have Windows 7 beta and works great with Windows Media Center after installing drivers. Signals are pretty weak im my area but after making adjustments HD OTA signals come in clear and crisp. Remote comes in handy for navigating Windows Media Center.

Pros: * ATSC OTA tuning works very well with my attic mounted antenna * Works with Vista 32-bit Media Center (I'm not using TV Pack 2008) * Video and audio capture is good quality * Nice IR remote & receiver

Cons: * Arcsoft TotalMedia software is very basic (though I only really need it for video capture at the moment) * GadgeTV application is useless (freezes up, too little control over tuning) * Don't know whos fault it is but I had to uninstall my Sansa Media Converter software before VMC would work with the tuner (lotsa googling for that one) * VMC doesn't recognize the FM tuner properly

Overall Review: A tip for installing the card: Do not force the card all the way into the PCIx1 slot in an attempt to fully seat it as this puts the whole card at an angle and will cause the back plate to not mount flush to the case and *more importantly* it will cause the fingers in the PCI connector to be make contact at a slight angle which could cause a short. So, insert the card just to the point where the back plate is flush and secure it with a screw if your case allows this - the card will make sufficient electrical contact to function and will be sturdy enough to allow connections to be made to the back panel.