Today, I continue with my exploration of the PC World editors’ dream PC, worth $30,000 when you add up all the components it includes. This is a machine that includes a $29.99 Ultra internal 3.5″ floppy drive next to a $1,999.98 LG Super Multi GGW-H10NI BD burner HD DVD reader. Go figure.

I’m rather curious about this item: the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800 Media Center Kit TV Tuner, which PC World has priced at $149, but which you can find online at PriceGrabber.com for under a hundred bucks, shipping included.

What’s a TV tuner? Apparently, it lets you watch and record high definition digital TV or analog cable TV on your PC — in a window or full screen. You can even hook up cable TV and ATSC digital TV at the same time. You can use it to record digital TV streams to your PCs hard disk using MPEG-2. And it allows you to run applications on your PC at the same time you’re watching or recording analog TV.

The reviewers have reported in on this model. Several complain about the remote that is included. Gnub says the buttons are too small and it’s overly complex. TechieC from New Jersey says it feels “somewhat cheap.”

jhuang0 wonders why it came with only one digital tuner and why the company bothered with an analog tuner, since all broadcasting will be converted to digital in 2009.

One reviewer had numerous problems running the tuner with Windows Vista. The Media Center in Vista never recognized the board. TechieC says it worked fine with Vista Media Center, but would prefer that the software included with the device be updated: “The interfaces are ancient and probably haven’t been updated in ten years. WinTV crashes on and off and the bundled IR program does not work with more than one tuner.”

All that said, the reviewers’ ratings currently tally up to 3.5 stars out of a possible five.

Based on the evidence, I can see why the editors would want to include the ability on their dream PC to catch Smallville while they’re doing the mundane work of putting a magazine together. But as for me, I’m no fan of most TV. I don’t need another display for that in my life. However, one additional feature would really win me over on this. To LG Electronics: Can you add the ability to call in my usual order to Papa Murphy’s, pick it up, and bake it so I can eat while I’m viewing?

Posted on March 13th, 2008 by dian