Recording can be a little PC intensive, especially two shows at once - so using your computer while those shows are being recorded is probably going to be slow - you won’t be playing any graphically intensive games while recording your shows.
Now - final verdict - do you need one? Well, it depends. If you already have a DVR and you are happy with it, probably not. If you want to be able to save your shows longer than you have space to do so on your DVR, or if you’d like to be able to carry your shows around in your pocket - then it could be a benefit, and the Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650 is one of the least expensive and yet capable and easy-to-use options out there for these CableCARD USB devices. If you have a DVR and want to be able to record even more shows than you can now - pick one of these up.
If you are a Mac user - unless you are ready and willing to BootCamp Windows 7 - I am sorry you need to find another solution. If you have Windows XP or Vista (WHY DO YOU STILL HAVE VISTA?!?!?) you would need to upgrade before you can use this.
A note - CableCARDs are not generally well advertised on cable provider’s websites - basically because they don’t want to provide them - they want to lock you into their system, with their hardware. They are, however, required by law, I believe, to provide them. So even if you don’t see CableCARDs listed anywhere, call and ask, or email or web chat, whichever you prefer. They have them, they aren’t free, but they are offered.
Article comments
1 - streamer
Nice overview of what CC tuners do, but I wouldn't call it a review of the device. I would expect a review to have a few pictures of the device and at least a description of the setup process, usage and performance. Perhaps add a brief comparison with similar devices like the 3 tuner HDHomeRun Prime and the 4 tuner Ceton. Would also be good to mention the fact that these work with Media Center Extenders like Xbox and the soon-to-be-released Ceton Echo.
The main reasons I have one are to avoid my cable company's $20/month DVR fee and terrible DVR interface. I'd like to know what planet has DVRs cheap or free as you said in the review - cable boxes may be cheap, but definitely not DVRs.
Anyway, I'm very pleased with mine. It paid for itself in a scant 5 months. It was quite a lot of time and effort to set up, mainly because most CSRs at my cable company have no idea how to activate a cable card for a device like this. Once I found the right person, all was well.
It's also worth noting that in areas that use SDV, you'll need a tuning adapter as well, which is usually free with a cable card. Otherwise you'll be wondering why many of your channels are missing.
2 - Igor
More info is required. Like, how does it compare to HDHomerun and various HDTV USB sticks, can you use it with OTA, does it use proprietary display software, is the aspect ratio and size controllable, is it linux compatible, etc., ?
3 - Chad
I don't have an HDHomerun or other devices to compare it to. It requires Windows 7. It is not Mac or Linux compatible. Do you see where I put "You need a Windows 7 PC" - kinda covers that. Also the fact that is is called a "WinTV" should clue you in a little, I would think. You need a CableCard - Ergo, it is not compatible with over the air. Seriously - I covered this. Just read it.