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SnapStream Beyond TV 3.5 Review
Page: 1/4
(2095 total words in this text)
(37304 Reads) 
Review Date:12/01/04
Reviewed by: Erik Pettersen (rampy@byopvr.com)
 Introduction:
SnapStream’s latest release of their PC PVR software solution, Beyond TV 3.5 offers some new features like multi-tuner support and a host of refinements to an already robust package. I put Beyond TV 3.5 through its paces in order to determine its place in the PVR software kingdom.
Review Hardware:
Test box 1: Athlon XP+1700, retail Hauppauge WinTV PVR 250, ATI AIW 9600XT, 256MB RAM, XP Home
Test box 2: EPIA VIA mini-itx M10000, WinTV PVR 350*, integrated video, 256MB RAM, XP Pro
*note: Beyond TV doesn’t support the TV out of the PVR350
Configuration:
Beyond TV 3.5 was very easy to configure and install. The pre-installer, for lack of a better name, scopes out your system and downloads any dependencies you might need (example: DirectX 9 if you do not have it already). Once the main dependencies are installed the main software installation starts, i.e. the copying of Beyond TV to your hard disk/etc. Then the setup wizard walks you through the configuration process.
The wizard was very easy to understand clear menu driven approach to getting the information needed to configure the tuner card for use with Beyond TV and to get the all-important EPG (electronic program guide) data. The EPG data is how your homebrew PVR will know what time the American Music Awards are on, and that channel 8 on your cable system is the ABC affiliate showing that particular program.
Beyond TV gave me a short list of the cable companies in my area based up on my zip code, I was able to select the correct one, and then the appropriate cable package (in this case extended basic). During this initial configuration process is where you could also specify antenna, external satellite/cable box (controlled via IR blaster available separately), etc as well.
   
Beyond TV supported the ubiquitous (for WinTV PVR-250/350 owners) Hauppauge silver IR remote control out of the box. I appreciated the integration, but for the long run, most people are going to want a better remote control option like SnapStream FireFly, StreamZap, or something from Niveus’ line. The Hauppauge remote works fine functionally (see my comments in pvr350 review) but my inner geek needs more buttons or flashy LEDs.
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