ADS Tech InstantTV Cardbus: can anyone get this to work properly?

[Coluph]

I picked up the ADS Tech InstantTV Cardbus (PCMCIA for a laptop) TV tuner for my AMD Sempron 3000+, with 512 meg memory.

This product advertises on the box 'Watch and record TV on your notebook PC"

While it does do these functions, none of them work overly well. I'm wondering if anyone else has this device and has been able to get it to work. I might be expecting too much from it, but to me this seems like a product that has been released before it was really tested or ready.

Included software was:

TVforPC (ADS tech software?) - works ok for tv watching but loses audio sync after awhile...Timer crashes software, remote is sluggish in responding to commands, and sometimes doesnt' work at all. Maximum usable setting for capturing is SVCD or you get dropped frames all over the place.

Ulead Instamedia 2 - Runs so slow on the computer its barely useable. Captures and TV viewing both have bizzare video noise throughout the picture as if the PCMCIA connector is not fast enough to handle the amount of information coming thorugh it. No where to change settings for capture. Has a few other features but requests you to pay for an upgrade to get those features.

TitanTV (electronic programming guide) - Useless, to say the least. Upon trying to use the software it asks you to sign up for a montly subscription. (you have to pay to use it) It defaults to German TV listings, and won't update. (ctrl alt del to get out of it...just sits there)

Picture quality on the TV tuner when its working seems to be ok, but is very slow to change channels compared to other devices I've used (ATI/Asus)

One nice feature is that it will accept PAL, or NTSC signals via the composite connector and appears to be able to auto-detect this signal. If your laptop has TV out, you can use it as a PAL to NTSC converter, or the other way around. The only thing I've really found the device useful for, however its not really designed for it.

I'm probably going to take this back, as its cost really isn't worth the kind of preformance I seem to be getting with it. I was expecting a little better than this, as well as the software bundled with the product seem to have issues or want you to pay even more to use them.

Would appreciate a reply if anyone else has one of these and has been able to get it to work successfully. It seems to be a nice idea, but doesn't really function the way its advertised.
Box specs recommend a P3-1000 mhz or higher. I think my computer should be well within those specs, as its only 3 months old.

[v-sharp]

I'm confused.

You said, "'This product advertises on the box 'Watch and record TV on your notebook PC'

While it does do these functions, none of them work overly well."

Then you asked, "I'm wondering if anyone else has this device and has been able to get it to work."

What's the problem? Does it work or it does not work as advertized?

After that you detailed problems with TVforPC, Ulead Instamedia 2 and TitanTV.

At the end you asked, "Would appreciate a reply if anyone else has one of these and has been able to get it to work successfully."

What kind of 'work" exactly are you looking for the hardware-software to do that you don't achieve with them?

[Coluph]

I've returned it.

You get different results depending on what software was used. The two mentioned software products are what ships with the unit.

Other software packages produce simular results.

Unable to capture DVD MPEG2 quality without loss of frames
Poor TV functionality (green speckles in the video, loss of audio sync etc...this was while just viewing TV, not capturing.)

I concluded that the device is either not compatible with my computer, or requires a much faster system than what they are recommending on the box.

I have a three day patience limit with computer hardware. If I can't get it to work in that period of time, back it goes.

I may try the Hauppage USB2 PVR down the road but the price of them is too high for what it is, considering you can buy a full blown DVD recorder for about the same price, without the joys of fighting with the computer to get it to work.

I guess my question, better worded..."Has anyone been able to get one of these to work as its advertised on the box?"

Regardless I don't have it anymore. I don't have the time to fiddle with it.

I was basically looking for a portable TV tuner and capture solution for my laptop, so I could pull in footage from an analog video camera, while not at home.

I think I'd be better off just buying a new DV camera and forgetting about trying to convert it.

[FulciLives]

Every-so-often the Hauppauge WinTV PVR USB2 goes on sale at Circuit City. When it does the price is usually down to about $90 US Dollars although often that is AFTER a mail-in rebate ... but that is still a good price IF you don't mind waiting for the rebate.

Just keep checking the Sunday paper until you see it on sale again. It usually happens once every couple of months it seems.

- John "FulciLives" Coleman

[edDV]

I picked up the ADS Tech InstantTV Cardbus (PCMCIA for a laptop) TV tuner for my AMD Sempron 3000+, with 512 meg memory.

This product advertises on the box 'Watch and record TV on your notebook PC"

While it does do these functions, none of them work overly well.

If they refused to refund the product and I was on the jury the defense lawyer would ask:

"Where did they say it would work very well? Did it allow you to 'Watch and record TV on your notebook PC' or not?"

"What research did you do before you purchased this product that led you to expect more?"

"Did the defendant say those things?"

I find for the defendant. No refund!