GTA Digital PCTV Card Plus

Digital convergence at the tip of your finger.

Price: £99.99

Manufacturer: GTA

Ratings

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Verdict

Pros:

Record and pause TV; digital radio.

Cons:
Picture and sound break-ups.

Verdict:
Worth recommending for the Media Center functionality and ability to pause and rewind live television.

Rory Reid, Personal Computer World 05 Dec 2003

Another step toward that holiest of grails known as digital convergence, GTA's Digital PCTV card brings Media Center-style features to your PC, without needing to buy a whole new system. The product combines a digital TV-tuner with the ability to record, pause and rewind live TV and manage your media files.

On the tuner side, the PCTV provides access to free-to-air digital services which, in essence, means Freeview in the UK - a package of 30 digital channels that includes all standard terrestrial channels, a number of digital offerings and 12 digital radio stations.

In use, video recording and playback standards were reasonable, although audio reproduction was disappointing at times. This was due, for the most part, to the difficulties associated with attaining a strong enough digital signal reception on our test PC. As any digital TV viewer will testify, annoying picture and sound break-ups are par for the course. While using a good signal booster or rooftop aerial can improve this, the fact that the PC can be noisy at the best of times means users face an uphill struggle from the outset.

Included in the package is a useful remote control, which provides one-touch recording, channel and volume adjustment, as well as radio, CD and DVD control. It also allows users to manage their entire media collection, with quick access to pictures, movies and music by album, genre and artist. Personal playlists can also be created and accessed via the remote.

While GTA's Digital PCTV provides an easy way of joining the digital revolution, it is not without its faults. There is no facility for Teletext and multiple users can cause conflicting recording schedules - leading to a total failure to record anything. However, it's an excellent alternative to buying a set-top box, particularly in light of its ability to pause and rewind live television.

Contact: GTA 01296 733 268
www.gta-ltd.co.uk

System requirements: