Home Reviews Compro VideoMate U2800F Hybrid Digital/Analog Tuner and DVB-T in Malaysia - (Review) - Page 5 - Watching DTV on LCD and CRT
Compro VideoMate U2800F Hybrid Digital/Analog Tuner and DVB-T in Malaysia - (Review) - Page 5 - Watching DTV on LCD and CRT PDF Print E-mail
 
Written by Kar Hoe   
Saturday, 03 January 2009 09:32
Article Index
Compro VideoMate U2800F Hybrid Digital/Analog Tuner and DVB-T in Malaysia - (Review)
Page 2 - Package contents
Page 3 - Specifications
Page 4 - Setting up, installation, and tuning into DVB-T via ComproDTV
Page 5 - Watching DTV on LCD and CRT
Page 6 - Vista Media Center
Page 7 - Compro FM software
Page 8 - Conclusion
All Pages
Page 5 - Watching DTV on LCD and CRT
First of all, this is how it looks like on my 19 inch LCD monitor
P1030421.jpg
Ignore the 'No Signal' word. I dropped the antenna while taking the snapshot.
And then I moved my HTPC to the TV and placed a 15 inch Samsung LCD monitor next to it.
100_2395.jpg
So happened when I tuned into Arena, a sports channel, they were showing F1 replay of the Brazillian GP. Compare the quality side by side.
100_2373.jpg 100_2386.jpg
Left pic - Samsung 15 inch, Right pic - Sony CRT. Click on the pictures to enlarge them.
I also took some direct snapshots using the software snapshot tools so you could see for yourself the quality of the digital TV. However, the snapshots were compressed a little - JPEG quality - 80% so expect the quality to be even better.
CH002_0102_204452.jpg
The video were broadcasted at a resolution of 720 x 576. Hence click on the picture to see the actual size.
Now, compare it to a snapshot taken when I switched the source into Analog TV
I also tried to connect my Astro to the tuner and the picture shows up fine.
ch001_0101_172317.jpg
More screenshots below.
100_2375.jpg 100_2394.jpg
CH005_0102_161424.jpg
Actual snapshot with JPEG quality 80%
Next - Using Compro U2800F with Vista Media Center


 
Comments (31)
  • Mun Yew
    have u try recording tv show with Vista Media Centre :?:
  • karhoe
    Not really, just played around with timeshifting, there shouldn't be issues with it, why?
  • chiwynn
    hello, I like HD quality too
  • dili
    have u tested it inside shopping complex?
  • karhoe
    Hmm, certainly not, doube there will be clear signal inside there.

    But, you could try getting an indoor DVB-T antenna such as Compro A300
  • Terence Yung  - Nice review
    Very nice review karhoe.
  • karhoe
    thanks for the compliment :D
  • Mie
    Good review. Just bought the same on sunday, but got no sound on analog. Do you have any idea? Using the device on acer aspire 4315z laptop and vista ultimate.
  • karhoe
    No sound on analog but can get sound on Digital TV?

    Perhaps it's some configuration in the DTV software.

    Try to use Vista Media Center to tune into Analog TV

    Where and how much did you buy it btw?
  • Mie
    Just install new driver update from compro to improved analog audio compatibility for malaysia. Sounds work now :woohoo: . Btw bought it at C-zone lowyat for RM299.
  • karhoe
    That's great, did you manage to get DTV?
  • Mie
    Yes, i can get DTV in PJ. The channel same as your screenshot. Currently in Terengganu, only analog :X BTW, can u tell how to set up this with astro?
  • karhoe
    Using DTV, or Vista Media Center?

    If DTV, just switch to S-video/Composite video source

    If Vista Media Center, you only can use coaxial out to the tv tuner, although you can use s-video, vista media center setup would not proceed because the absence of IR blaster
  • Mie
    Thanks bro for the instruction.
  • kevin07
    I bought this USB Tuner and yes i must agree that changing channels are a pain. The recording quality is great but that is only when i use it at home where i hook it up to my roof antenna. The antenna included in the package is useless to me. I am so close to the CBD and it's still not picking up any channels
  • karhoe
    Btw, try downloading the latest driver for U2800F which claims to improve some issues that you face.
  • kevin07
    Thanks for that. It really helped and kept my blood pressure down
  • karhoe
    I agree that the bundled antenna is very weak, I had to place it high on my wall to get a strong signal
  • kevin07
    It's funny you say that, because i have no signal at all!.
  • karhoe
    Where is your area in the first place, DVB-T is still in testing phase and mostly Klang Valley people could get it only.

    Use the bundled DVB software and try to look for the channels, place your antenna as high as possible.

    You can also hook it to your roof antenna, those old rabbit ear antenna could just work with DVB-T
  • kevin07
    I live in Perth - Western Australia so im sure that it is avaliable. Analouge TV is being changed over to digital TV so thats happening soon. Also if i hook it up to the antenna on the rooof it's not a problem at all. But if im out and about the bundled antenna would be nice to use.
  • karhoe
    Oh, alright, good to hear about that
  • pbg
    Have you by any chance tried to use it as a video/audio (analog) capturing device (not as a TV tuner), using the cable provided? I struggle to get it working, it does not register itself as a sound recording device.. I need to capture couple of old VCR tapes.. I talked to Compro suport and they went silent..
  • karhoe
    Yeap, I connected to my Astro, no problem.

    Well, have you tried using the bundled Compro DTV software?
  • pbg
    Did you see it in the list of audio recording divices, if you go control panel -> sound -> recording? I only get my sound card entries there..

    No I did not try using their software, the whole idea was to use Windows standard interafaces. But I may give it a try.

    I am using Vista Ultimate BTW, and just tried Windows 7 Beta, with the same result...
  • karhoe
    I am currently using Compro E900, and I do get a sound card entry there.

    I am no longer using this tv tuner, passed it to my uncle

    I believe this tuner works best with the bundled Compro DTV software
  • pbg
    thanks
  • Irfan Yeoh  - TV Tuner
    Hi Karhoe,

    Interesting review...I would like to know how does the AVerTV Hybrid Volar HX perform against the Compro VideoMate U2800F?

    Thank you.

    Best regards,

    Irfan
  • karhoe
    No idea man, I haven't tested it, but I am completely satisfied with the U2800F. It's manufactured in Taiwan but there are many cheap TV tuners which are made in China, there's a big difference
  • Stanley  - Available Channels
    Nice review... but the channels are limited right ? Also nobody ever watched RTM channels anymore besides kampong ppl without Astro..
  • karhoe
    at the moment yes, only RTM has DVBT, Media Prima would implement it soon
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 29 September 2009 21:39
 
 

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