This also Sohnemann can on his notebook from his look and consignments on Kika times, I've made smart about TV cards.
Since then I have found "PCTV To Go" from Pinnacle and was very enthusiastic. So that, I would not again another cable (the antenna cable) to the notebook, because the TV signals with PCTV To Go can be fed into the normal home network.
In addition, the device would allow you to receive on all computers in the home television (albeit at a theoretical simultaneous use then all would have to watch the same channel) me.
The information on the net (from product descriptions, press releases, etc., etc.) tones tempting:
".... Plug Pinnacle PCTV To Go in your cable, satellite or antenna TV source, connect it to your network and you're ready! ..."
".... Works seamlessly as a virtual TV tuner ..."
".... Pinnacle has announced the PCTV To Go a TV tuner box, with which television signals via your home network or via the Internet ..."
The initial great pleasure hit but quickly into confusion. Desperately, I tried to connect the device to the antenna output of the household connection. Though various cables (SCART, A / V, etc.) accompanied, none was perfect.
Although I'm not the type of support assistance, I was now so helpless, that I had to turn to Pinnacle.
What now began, can only be described as a "nightmare". My question, how the device is to be connected to a normal TV connection, whether there still would need special adapters or as it was thought, was stereotyped with the answer (quote):
"There are three composite cables (yellow, red and white). The yellow cable is for video and red and white for audio. For so also picture and sound signal, you must connect all 3 cables to the PCTV To Go."
"As already mentioned, you can connect it to the PCTV only by Composite and S-Video cables."
This went on and on. After some time, I then turned me in my desperation to the dealer. The thought, to my horror, that there is so contrary to the existing about the device on the internet information as would look as if there no TV tuner is installed - and thus the device can not be connected to a normal TV-house connection.
So I have then the business with a video recorder (!) Leave, just so I can still switch between a tuner TV connection and PCTV To Go.
That really annoyed me, especially since Pinnacle despite repeated, detailed description of the problem was not in a position to give me this simple information.
It is also a pity; TV tuners are available for a few euros already in cheap with any USB-TV card available, as it may be that something is missing in elementary PCTV To Go?
According to the forums (yes, I have researched for days and nights) of Pinnacle seems to be such that other versions of PCTV to go were at the beginning of the market, on which one could still connect TV cable. But apparently has Pinnacle - without the product name or to change the versions be marked otherwise - the tuner away.
Let's face it, very clean is not. Charred a bit I feel now.
I PCTV To Go installed on different notebooks. Again, this has unfortunately cost me many days and nights.
It will be delivered two programs, a "Configuration Assistants'" and the actual player. On a Notbook the player the correct input signal had fortunately already (in my case now SCART) is selected, so you could basically ever watch TV.
However, I of course had to start the configuration program in order to adjust the TV channels etc. can. At the beginning of Konfiguraition a "video preview window" appears. This preview does not work - but had here - for any reason whatsoever. The problem now is that we thus have no opportunity to make any adjustments; you just can not get over this preview also. This is incomprehensible to me, but the player himself has wonderfully rendered image.
When I eventually (days later) on this notebook for some other reason, the Windows screen resolution has changed then times, the video preview has worked and I was therefore able to make all settings.
The same problem with this preview I had on another notebook. After much fiddling and tinkering here repeated complete installation has then brought Remedy.
I have long been chatting with the supporters in the hope that there was a way, the settings also to be able to carry out somewhere in a configuration file or in an emergency in the registry. Or to "video preview image" Skip somehow, only to finally make the settings. The supporter had promised me then at the end to let me get the necessary information by email.
Instead, my support request was simply "solved" in the status set.
The additional TV tuner in the form of the VCR controls PCTV to go to two small infrared transmitter, which is adhered to the infrared eye of the VCR. Unfortunately must (should not be known to the adapter supplied with the VCR remote control the PCTV To Go software delivered) PCTV to go first then learn the different device-dependent control signals.
That's actually pretty good for certain functions, however, I have still not managed to program all the essential keys of the remote control so that I, for example, "OK" or "menu" (which he does not want simply to learn) still always in the Keller (where all the devices depend on the router) must race ... fitness is everything.
But Largest annoyance is still that PCTV To Go also offers the opportunity to access via Internet and from where else on the domestic PCTV To Go. I think the idea, although very nice, but do not need it. The problem is that the P2P used for this technique when not so powerful notebook of my son the device claimed such an extent that on the one hand the fan all the time running (yes, even if you look no television) and on the other hand, the player with the television shows " jerky ".
Unfortunately, once configured, can these "remote view" no longer disable function ...
This means that I must again for weeks to deal with the hair-raising support from Pinnacle me and probably along with the VCR even have to buy a new laptop for Sohnemann at the end.
Maybe I throw the whole lot but also out again and buy individual TV USB Card. Had many times cheaper on any notebook could then unabhägig watch television and the most important - I would no longer with the Pinnacle support, which earned its name not even begin to - to grapple. What the cost of time and nerves, is simply unimaginable.
Conclusion: Those who like to "tinker" and has infinite time, patience and the wherewithal for the Pinnacle PCTV To Go is certainly an exciting experimental kit.
All other: Stay away from such a product. It seems, according to my research on the Internet, as if in general the software of Pinnacle not really all doubt. Tacitly to remove Add to that a business practice such as the TV tuner PCTV To Go and obviously not to substitute solutions interested unfriendly and clearly disinterested amateurs in the support - the one must now do not actually do so as a consumer.
A great pity, because the idea of the product I find fascinating. But it's like so often: there is an ingenious product with a lot of enthusiasm from a small company develops, sells it to a large market (Pinnacle) and make it then, with this "we must indeed be no trouble," - attitude that the product finds its demise.
