Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver
Manufacturer: Plextor Corp. Part number: PX-HDTV500U-NA
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver provides a cheap and easy way to watch and record HDTV on your PC. We recommend this compact tuner and antenna kit particularly for laptops that feature Microsoft's Media Center app.
Read more
Where to buy
*Total price for the Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.
show CNET editors' review
Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver price range: $178.15
- Reviewed by: Matthew Elliott
- Reviewed on: 05/22/2007
The good: Cheap; easy to set up and use; tuner and antenna are compact and highly portable; works with Media Center.
The bad: Bundled software suffers from unattractive interface; no Mac support.
The bottom line: The Plextor PX-HDTV500U Mini Digital HDTV Receiver provides a cheap and easy way to watch and record HDTV on your PC. We recommend this compact tuner and antenna kit particularly for laptops that feature Microsoft's Media Center app.
Read CNET's full review
show User reviews
Write Review Showing opinion 1 to 3 out of 3
-
-
1 stars
Piece of Crap - Stay Away
by nevrec on November 29, 2007
Pros: None I can think of
Cons: Install software locked up computer
Summary: Could never even get the install the software
to run. Locked up on a brand new Dell computer with Vista. And, oh yes, if you don't mind being a ...
Read more
Summary: Could never even get the install the software
to run. Locked up on a brand new Dell computer with Vista. And, oh yes, if you don't mind being a billboard advertiser for Plextor then hook up their antenna that looks like a billboard of advertising. Funny it doesn't show up like that on the ads. Completely useless.
Show less
2 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
-
7 stars
Computer t.v. tuner for HDTV -- for an XP system
by LincNeb on February 4, 2011
Pros: Software and tuner work well together. Sub-channels are viewable on a 2.4 GHz processor system. It didn't pick up any of the analogue signals, which I didn't want anyway. You could keep the channel lists from old scans, when doing new scans.
Cons: Dongle runs warm. The saved video files are in the program file of the video program, it is not that easily gotten at. There are no drivers for Windows 7! You will be lucky to get any usable HDTV programs with a 2.4 GHz processor.
Summary: This was going to be a "toy" for me to try, since it was sold at a decent price. One fourth of the cost was shipping, and because of all ...
Read more
Summary: This was going to be a "toy" for me to try, since it was sold at a decent price. One fourth of the cost was shipping, and because of all the bad reviews I saw about it. It works as described, Plextor was quite honest, in saying it takes a 3Ghz processor or faster for it to get HDTV. However with the right signal strength I did get two stations that gave me video besides just audio. The t.v. picture looked like a slide show. It worked better when not using the full screen mode. What was impressive is that the recorded show setting the program to minimized, so no picture was being shown--made for an excellent recording. The audio was in stereo I would add. So, it really worked perhaps better than advertised. It might have even worked better if the computer I'm using it on, didn't have to use the integrated graphics.
I have the dongle sitting on an aluminum block, which was a part of a CPU cooler system. I'm beginning to think all t.v. tuner dongles, no matter what the brand, should some provision for extra cooling to extend their life.
I would wish there were some Windows 7 drivers for it, but I doubt if that will happen since it is a discontinued product. I'm glad I didn't pay any more than I did for it because of that limitation.
The antenna that came with it is good. However, I am tempted to stick it into a bucket of paint to cover up the Plextor advertisement. You will be advertising to the whole world your watching t.v., if you use that antenna.
Would I recommend it? If you have a Windows XP computer, and a fast one, and you get it for a good price, yes. If the dongle does die of a heat stroke, which I'm going to try not to let happen. I'll try to report about it.
Show less
-
9 stars
Worked Great out of the box
by natstr on February 16, 2008
Pros: Easy install, clear pic and sound
Cons: Having trouble w/ Vista Media ctr.
Summary: great for urban use as packaged
Highly recommend
Summary: great for urban use as packaged
Highly recommend
Showing opinion 1 to 3 out of 3
See pricing
show Specifications
- Manufacturer: Plextor Corp.
- Part number: PX-HDTV500U-NA
- Description: No matter where you go, you can watch crystal clear High Definition TV on your laptop with Plextor's Mini Digital HDTV Receiver. Enjoy unlimited hours of entertainment without recurring charges and expensive subscription fees. Turning your PC into a portable media center has never been easier. The easy to use interface allows you to watch, playback, and record programs of your favorite DTV shows anywhere, anytime. Best of all, it gives you full control of Microsoft's XP Media Center Edition to enhance your experience. Just connect Plextor's Mini Digital HDTV receiver into your PC and start watching your favorite digital programs, in the office, on the go, or at the airport. Never miss your favorite shows again. Use the integrated Electronic Programming Guide to schedule shows to record at any hour, day or night. Then watch your shows when you want. Set up is as simple as loading the software and plugging the PX-HDTV500U into your computer's USB 2.0 port.
General
- Video Input This card can receive HDTV signals, allowing a system equipped with it to act as a tuner for a connected HDTV-ready device.
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Device Type ATSC HDTV receiver
- Enclosure Type External
- Interface Type Hi-Speed USB
- Width 2.8 in
- Depth 1.1 in
- Height 0.6 in
- Weight 0.7 oz
Video
- Form Factor External
- Digital Video Format MPEG-2
- Features Time shift function,
One-touch recording from Electronic Program Guide (EPG),
16:9 widescreen mode,
Picture-in-picture capability Expansion / Connectivity
- Connections 1 x Hi-Speed USB - 4 pin USB Type A
- Compatible Bays None
- Compatible Slots None
Software / System Requirements
- OS Required Microsoft Windows XP ,
Microsoft Windows Vista ,
Microsoft Windows 2000 - Peripheral / Interface Devices Sound card
- System Requirements Details Pentium III - 1 GHz - RAM 256 MB
Manufacturer Warranty
- Service & Support 1 year warranty
- Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year,
Technical support - Phone consulting
See pricing
Manage updates with the Download App
