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Page 8 of 8
Page 8 - Conclusion
Once again, it will be best to get a hybrid tuner now as we are moving into the transition stage from analog to digital TV. Compro U2800F would certainly be a good choice for those who are considering to get a tv tuner. To begin with, it is extremely easy to set up. The straighth to disc recording feature also comes in handy, as a similar VCD/DVD recorder would have easily cost RM2000, a HTPC coupled with this TV tuner might cost just the same but with more value. The fact that the antenna has a magnetic base means that you could easily placed it on top of the casing of your computer, and since the indoor antenna does quite well in receiving DVB-T signal, placing it above the casing would be fine. If not, there is always the A300 DVB-T antenna.
Even if you do not plan to watch the shows broadcasted on the local television stations, you can always use the S-video port on the connector cable and connect it to the Astro, and output the PC to the TV and you have a Live TV, you can rewind, record and even pause Live TV.
However, there are some problems which I encountered while using this TV tuner such as ComproDTV software not detecting the TV Tuner despite the Compro Remote icon in the taskbar indicating otherwise. This usually happens after I used Vista Media Center. Problem is only solved with a reboot. Hence, it would be advisable to stick to one software, ComproDTV or Media Center. It would also be better if Compro includes a 3.5mm to RCA cable converter as it would be easier to connect the tuner to Astro if one decides to do so.
The antenna connector also gets very hot after sometime but it doesn't seem to be a concern.
There were some issues while using it with Windows Media Center 2005, I do not see any image on the screen, just audio, but I would not jump into conclusion as when I start my HTPC, I get an error saying that a Windows Media Center Encoder component has crashed, that could be the reason. When I tried to connect the Astro to the tuner via S-video on my HTPC (Windows Media Center 2005), I got a message saying that no signal were detected. I informed Compro Taiwan about this problem and they will get back to me. I have yet to test the S-video input on Vista Media Center but I have a feeling that it should work on Vista Media Center.
Update - I have tested the tuner on a Vista Media Center and it works to detect the signal on composite video. However I could not proceed as there were no IR blaster unit detected. To get Astro to work on Vista Media Center on this tuner, the only way is to use the coaxial out on the Astro decoder and set the signal to antenna.
Some facts on the start up guide were also contrary to my own experience while using the U2800F. For instance, the manual states that I could record straight to disc when watching digital and analog TV but the option is only available when watching analog TV.
Update - A representative of Compro has informed me that they have revised the guide but they are puzzled how I got hold of the old unrevised guide. Anyway, there could be no way straight to disc would have been possible in Digital TV due to the lack of hardware MPEG4 decoder.
Lastly, changing to different video sources such as from DVB-T to Analog TV, Composite and S-Video causes the software to hang momentarily which I find annoying.
Apart from the above problems I discovered, Compro U2800F is certainly a great TV Tuner. Get it now and enjoy ads-free digital TV shows that are being broadcasted before we move into the transition phase.
No details on local availability but it will have a SRP of RM289. 3 years warranty for VideoMate products in Malaysia market, confirm with your local distributor for the warranty period.
The days with grainy images will be over soon
I give Compro U2800F a rating of 7/10.
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