Loose Change: Gadget

Sun, 26 Oct 2008 21:06 CDT

Gadget: Hauppauge tuner 'stick’

These days we want everything instantly and on whatever device we happen to have with us. This includes photos, music, TV, e-mail and just about any kind of digital data. If you want to combine your TV signal and computer, the WinTV-HVR-950Q tuner 'stick’ from Hauppauge will do the trick to watch and record analog and digital TV.

Specs: The device is small enough to fit in any pocket or computer bag compartment and can be used to watch and record digital/analog cable TV and over-the-air HDTV on a laptop or desktop PC. It comes with a connection for a USB 2.0 port on one end and a connection to handle your external audio/video cable on the other. Hauppauge recommends using a USB connection on the computer itself, not on an attached USB hub because of power and bandwidth requirements.

How it works: The included software, WinTV2000, is easy to install on Windows-based systems and will allow users to watch and record TV. Mac users get Elgato’s EyeTV Lite software. (On either system, consider copyright laws before you record a program and distribute it to other devices; you’re on your own with that situation.) Keep in mind how much storage space is available on your computer: Video takes up a few gigabytes of space for each show recorded.

Features: It can make your computer a new TV. You can even consider it a mini DVR unit, because you can not only watch and record, but even pause it. The menu and interface on the program is extremely user-friendly and simple to operate. Away from home? No problem, because the device comes with the WinTV-Scheduler, which allows you to select what shows will be recorded.

Information: $99, www.hauppauge.com

— Gregg Ellman, McClatchy Direct

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Loose Change: Gadget