Due for release "in October", Hauppauge has announced the Nanostick T2 (see link below). It's USB-only (no PCI-based cards available yet) and only a single tuner..:
IFA 2010: PCTV nanoStick T2 290e Freeview HD Tuner - Full Specs and Data Sheet | We Got Served
Sadly, looking at the data-sheet, the device does not support HD within Windows Media Center:
Other features include extra-fast Teletext and support for Windows Media Center (DVB-T only).
This is a real disappointment as I suspect many buyers in the current market will be hoping for a device that they can use with their existing Media Center setup, myself included. Heaven knows why it's incompatible, given that almost all of Hauppauge's existing product line works with Media Center.
Also, it only decodes at 720p rather than full 1080p HD - I assume that most of the decoding is done in software rather than hardware, hence this limitation which avoids the need for a high-spec machine.
Hopefully, we should start seeing more PCI-based cards soon with hardware decoding and multiple tuners. I'll let you know when I hear anything!
The Nanostick T2 works fine for the aforementioned HD channels in Windows 7 Media Center..............
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comment, which, if true, is excellent news.
ReplyDeleteOdd though as it runs completely contrary to the official spec data sheet as quoted above.
It decodes HD channels at a resolution of 1280 x 720p because that is what they are transmitted at. There is not one of the broadcasters including Sky transmitting at 1080p. They transmit at the above and upscale at the receiver end.
ReplyDeleteAre you sure? My research led me to conclude that Freeview HD would use a mixture of 720p and 1080i, e.g.:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hdtvfaq.org/freeview-hd.html
You are correct in that the BBC say that 1080i is better for fast moving objects like football [they haven't seen my team play] and that they can and will transmit 1080i. They also state that 720p will be used for the majority of programming and if you do a search for "BBC 720p" in google you will find lots of H264 720p off air programmes. Search for "BBC 1080i" and there are very very few.Make it 1080p and there is some stunning promo material for download, but they're not off air.
ReplyDeleteAs far as I'm aware, there isn't any channel anywhere broadcasting in 1080P due to bandwidth costs and little perceived benefit.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have also read that the live BBC HD broadcasts (such as sport, music and dancing) all tend to be in 1080i, although this may be variable with the music content. Why would most people want to downscale to 720P resolution, unless they have a very small (or old) screen?
I can confirm that the Nano stick 290e does work fine with Windows 7 Media Centre in the UK, have only just got it but am very pleased so far !
ReplyDeleteBob, that's great news thanks for sharing. Where did you get your stock from? Might get one!
ReplyDeleteHi Bob, Please confirm the HD channels work in media centre for here in the uk !
ReplyDeletewindows 7 mc
ReplyDeleteI have ordered it anyway, cross fingers.
ReplyDelete