The Adaptec Dual TV Tuner for Windows XP MCE 2005 offers the ultimate in digital entertainment. The USB 2.0 Dual TV Tuner, FM Radio, and integrated IR remote control lets you watch one TV show while recording another, or record two TV shows while watching a pre-recorded show simultaneously. Listen to, pause, and replay FM radio broadcasts, or even record two shows and watch another pre-recorded video. Enjoy DVD-quality video on your desktop PC or notebook. It also has easy connectivity through a single USB 2.0 cable. The integrated remote control lets you control your entire digital experience, even your cable satellite box or other TV source, without extra boxes or cables, or leaving your chair. Record programs in stereo audio and DVD-quality video Transfers data using a high-speed USB 2.0 bus port Video Capture Format - MPEG-2 Video Resolution - Up to 720 x 480 Media inputs - 1 FM radio, 2 75 Ohm coaxial TV cable, 2 stereo audio (left/right RCA), 2 composite RCA video and 2 S-video (4-pin DIN) USB 2.0 PC interface Form Factor(LxWxH) - 1.5 x 6.0 x 8.13 Power Supply - 5V/2.5A external power supply System Requirements - Intel Pentium 4 or AMD Athlon, 256MB of RAM, 60MB hard disk space, 64MB DDR frame buffer, USB 2.0 bus port, 4X AGP or PCI-Express graphic interface, CD-R/W or DVD-R/W drive, DirectX 9 hardware acceleration Operating System - Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005

Customer Reviews Average rating - 3.5

Rating - 3 Date: 2008-12-30
Content: This dual usb tuner was everything I expected, but then again im a software developer so I'm more knowledgeable than most. The tuner does everything it says, and that you expect, provided that you use MCE, either XP or Vista.

However this tuner does not support digital channels so if you want to pick up anything more than your standard channel lineup, you will need a set-top box, however if that set-top box is not a dual-tuner, then you will lose the dual-tuner capability with the Adaptec usb dual tuner.

I can't say much with the FM Radio in Vista because there aren't many stations where I live [in the country]. The radio does work though.

There is also no way to change inputs even though it has multiple inputs, 2 composite/s-video inputs, 2 coaxial, and 1 fm. I havn't found a simply way yet to possibly use the tuner and be able to change inputs at will. Perhaps the tv software with Nero 9 will be of help.

Be sure to read the documention very carefully as it will be very helpful at better understanding the different hookup options for the dual tuner.
Summary: Excellent dual tuner with slight downsides

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-10-07
Content: Sorry to say, the tuner never worked with XP Media Center 2005. I am returning the item for credit. I gave it one star since I couldn't select anything less - I would rate this item as minus five stars.
Summary: Adaptec TV Tuner

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-09-12
Content: This is the coolest thing in the world if you are never home. I have this hooked up thru regular coax cable devided into this unit so I can record two shows at the same time. This is the second one I have purchased I thought the first one was bad but it was my computer so after 4 years the first one still is working fine. Vista has a problem sometimes with this but I did the sp1 and now it is working again.
Summary: Fantastic

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-08-21
Content: I split my cable to the TV and had this working within 10 Minutes.
Record two shows a once while watching a previously recorded show.
My next step is to see if it can control a Digital to Analog Converter box. If anyone has already done this, please post.
Summary: Home made DVR

Rating - 1 Date: 2008-06-30
Content: Note to any possible buyers, I was told this product is no longer being manufactured. Their customer service representative advised me that these TV tuners are no longer sold by them and only left over items are being sold through third parties so they are no longer providing technical support. THERE IS NO TECHNICAL SUPPORT AVAILABLE. This was not good news since it's not working for me. I kept getting "loss of signal" messages with no video on My Media Center 2005 Edition. The installation was complete (I double checked on my system) and the cable worked (I double checked by attaching a regular TV and it worked just fine), I rebooted my computer - nothing worked. Also note that there is no manual included just the installation CD which contains a brief online manual with no real help in trouble shooting provided. I decided it was time to send an e-mail to them. No response. I decided to call and was advised that there was no technical support for this particular system anymore but there was telephone support available at $9.95. I'm not sure how this would help me if there is no technical support? The customer rep offered an exchange. She would e-mail me information on how to return my item with a shipping address and authorization code (shipped at my own expense) within five minutes. Upon receipt, they would mail me a new TV Tuner (so they must have some left after all?). Waited a while for that darned e-mail with the golden information only to discover that it did not have the information promised; instead, it is telling me to copy files and send them back for review. I gather to check if I meet system requirement (I do). Sent what was asked of me and have yet to hear back from them. I will not hold my breath as blue is not a good color for me.....

I'm sure glad I didn't have to pay $9.95 for the service I received (?), but I'm still out $100+ for the product. I knew I should have gone for the Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 )!

Summary: NO SUPPORT PROVIDED BY COMPANY