AVerMedia 34mm ExpressCard Tuner - User report

[KeeterJ]

This post is just an fyi to let people know the AVerMedia AVerTV Express mini PCTV Tuner installs and works fine with BTV 4.9.2. I have not seen any prior mention of this ExpressCard device in the forums.

This tuner is a 34mm ExpressCard. (ExpressCard is essentially a hybrid PCI Express + USB format to replace the older PCMCIA "PC Cards" on laptops). I am using it on an ASUS/BestBuy U81A laptop (Integrated Intel graphics, with both DVI and HDMI outputs). At first I tried BTV Link and was surprised how well it worked using WiFi (11n) in and around my home to watch live and recorded programs. Then I got brave and ordered the tuner from Newegg (even with no mention of BTV support). It comes bundled with their own so-so media software, but once the card driver was installed (I'm on Vista 64) it was no trouble uninstalling BTV Link and installing full BTV. It comes with both a 75-ohm coax dongle and a tiny TV antenna. The antenna works surprisingly well (for me)

So far, it's working very well with two caveats: BTV can't see the FM radio tuner, but the AVerMedia software can. Also, I'm spoiled by the multiple tuners I use on my larger BTV servers. With this single-tuner card and I can not watch one live program while recording another. But on a notebook, simultaneously recording and watching two streams would probably tax the wimpy 5400 RPM drive, anyway.

This card and BTV make a good combo. All in all, I'm quite pleased with the performance using this on my mid-range laptop. I think it will make a great travel TV/DVR.

Note: it can tune OTA 8VSB ATSC and also Cable clear QAM ATSC, but it's awkward to switch back and forth.