Anyone have Plextor ConvertX TV-402U Experience?

[RobDMB]

This product is intriguing and I was wondering if anyone has tried it out and what their opinions of it are. How does max quality divx recordings compare to max quality mpg recordings made with the Pvr 250? Any opinions are appreciated. -Rob

[Lucas]

I posted a similar question in the htpcnews forums under capture cards.
The admin replied that a review is under way......
I read a couple of reviews and they look promising.
Let's see.

[dkardatzke]

We will be offering the Plextor ConvertX TV-402U for sale shortly in our Online Store as a bundle with SageTV Version 2.1 and by itself as an add-on to your current SageTV setup. We've already received our shipment so if anyone needs the device before we put them up in the store, just let us know at orders@freytechnologies.com.

SageTV + TV-402U Bundle - $249.95
ConvertX TV-404U - $189.95

[RobDMB]

That bundle is attractive and I may definitely be interested. Since you have obviously tested it to add support can you comment on how the max quality recording in divx compares to high quality mpg 2 from a hauppuage card?

[dkardatzke]

From our testing we found that it does MPEG-2 just as good as anything else; and the MPEG4/DivX recordings usually require only half the bitrate to get similar quality. And of course we are the only ones that allow you to do timeshifting in MPEG-4 and DivX with this device. It's a great device to add to your current setup to record all your movies for archive directly in MPEG-4 or DivX.

Oh and I almost forgot...we don't charge you extra to use multiple tuners with SageTV so the only additional cost is for the hardware.

[RobDMB]

Just out of curiousity did you find the channel change lag present when recording to divx to be about the same/higher/lower than current mpg2 capture cards?

[stanger89]

Originally Posted by dkardatzke

Oh and I almost forgot...we don't charge you extra to use multiple tuners with SageTV so the only additional cost is for the hardware.

[zz5]

Dan,

Does the Plextor device work well with the PVR-250/350 in one computer? I would be adding one to my current multi-250/350 system.

How does the tuner quality compare with the PVR-250/350? I have 3 250's and 1 350 and the tuners are all great on every one of them. Every channel tunes in perfectly without any noise or static.

[zinkpig]

any one know the differece between m402 and the newer tv402. sage 2.1 specs say both are supported and plextor specs seem identical

[stanger89]

The TV has a tuner the other doesn't.

[Narflex]

The PVR250/350/etc. work fine alongside the Plextor devices. Tuner quality is about the same; but a USB device may be better in some situations because it's not subject to as much interference.

[RobDMB]

Im just wondering if recording in high quality divx would look better outputted to my tv or if I should just stick with mpg2 for better quality.

[stanger89]

They're probably about the same, with DivX or MPEG-2 when you get into the higher bitrates, the source is probably the limiting factor.

[RobDMB]

Anyone know if the divx files produced by this unit are hardware decodable by the xcard?

[Razorback]

Originally Posted by dkardatzke

We will be offering the Plextor ConvertX TV-402U for sale shortly in our Online Store as a bundle with SageTV Version 2.1 and by itself as an add-on to your current SageTV setup. We've already received our shipment so if anyone needs the device before we put them up in the store, just let us know at orders@freytechnologies.com.

SageTV + TV-402U Bundle - $249.95
ConvertX TV-404U - $189.95

Will the first bundle include a remote? I don't believe one is included with the Plextor, but I may be mistaken. It would be perfect if you throw in a Streamzap PC Remote as well.

[zinkpig]

I can confirm that theres no remote included with the tv402u. Who wouldve thought they d advertize pvr and put a $200 price tag and not include a remote. shame on plextor

[natesneat2000]

What about decoding? I'm spec'ing some client systems; how's CPU usage compared to mpeg2? Can DivX be aided by good graphics card like mpeg2 can? Also, these encoders seem pretty expensive...

Previously, my stupidity shined here.

Also, you can't use this with MediaMVP - are there any plans on a Sage client for DivX hardware players? (the name kiss comes to mind...)

[zinkpig]

hey that thing you linked to is not a hardware encoder . not supported by sage.

[Opus4]

Originally Posted by natesneat2000

Then again, a refurbished product from a line so new?

That's because it probably isn't part of the new line, which has model numbers PX-TV402U (has TV tuner) and PX-M402U (no TV tuner).

- Andy

[Razorback]

Originally Posted by dkardatzke

We will be offering the Plextor ConvertX TV-402U for sale shortly in our Online Store as a bundle with SageTV Version 2.1 and by itself as an add-on to your current SageTV setup. We've already received our shipment so if anyone needs the device before we put them up in the store, just let us know at orders@freytechnologies.com.

SageTV + TV-402U Bundle - $249.95
ConvertX TV-404U - $189.95

What is a TV-404U? I don't see that on the Plextor site. Is this something new - perhaps with a remote? I read that Plextor is going to offer a remote in early November.