Compro Videomate TV Tuner Gold +

[j4ck]

I bought the tuner listed above several months ago after I saw a positive review on Toms Hardware. In case anyone was thinking about buying the same tuner kit I thought I would give a quick personal review here:

First off, let me express that the Compro Videomate hardware works wonderfully. I don't own a TV, so I run a small antenna and VCR through my Videomate card, which allows me to watch public broadcast TV as well as VHS tapes (cool, huh?) on my computer. Of course, if I wasn't so cheap, I could also run cable television through the tuner card.

The Videomate comes with the tuner card itself, a remote control, an IR detector (for the remote) a radio antenna (radio antenna gets excellent reception, better than my car, I would say) all the required cables, and a bundle of Compro software that includes programs that run the IR remote, radio tuner, the TV tuner, and a Compro DVD player that one may control with the IR remote.

While I have had no problems with any of the Compro hardware, I DO have some problems with the software. Before my recent W2K reinstallation, I was highly annoyed to find that the Compro IR detection software (which subbornly resided in the taskbar) refused to close properly on windows shutdown...thus I had to close it manually...EVERY TIME. Unfortunately the Compro tech support weren't very helpful with the problem. This issue has, however, vanished after a clean W2k install. The PVR (TV tuner) software and the DVD software both seem very bulky and sluggish on my Athlon XP 1400+ system. Granted, they are loaded with neat-o features like "timeshifting" (read: fast forwarding television) and clear-channel auto detection...but I would prefer more streamlined software myself. I have no experience with other TV tuners, so I can not be *too* judgemental.

Conclusion:

I enjoy the features the Videomate brings to my computer. Among my favorites are:

* the ability to watch public broadast TV
* the ability to watch VHS tapes on my computer
* the ability to control television and DVD programs on my computer my remote control.
* the reasonable price (~$60 as this is written)

I give this product a rating of 8/10

Please feel free to message me if you have specific questions.