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| Hauppauge Computerworks WinTV PVR-250 |
 By Bill O'BrienLong Island (NY) is the home of Hauppauge Computer Works, the makers of, as far as I'm concerned, some of the best TV tuner/capture cards/devices in the known universe. About two years ago I bought a Hauppauge WinTV PVR-250. In the interim, I've bought two more. I'd tried ATI's premiere card (at the time), the All in Wonder 8500 and then it's newer AIW 9000. The former was terrible, the latter was good, but not as good as the PVR-250. So what happens about two weeks ago? My original PVR-250 hiccups, turns its head and coughs, sputters, and practically dies. Looking at the picture is like being on acid in the '60's. (According to reports I've heard from those who are familiar with such things.) I send a note off to Hauppauge's Tech Support describing the situation and what I've done to try to work around it, along with a few grabs of the picture quality. "Anything I can do? Should I just trash it and buy another?" A day goes by. Several days go by. I'm starting to get real ticked off in only that way that an Irish/Sicilian guy can. (The systems using the cards are run 24/7. I'm the guy who had 11 VCRs, I need my three PVRs.) Then I get an e-mail. "Looks like the tuner is shot. Send us the model number from the tuner and your address. We'll issue a return authorization. Send back the card and we'll replace it." Uh, okay... I did and then they did. A warranty that works. Why should that be so surprising? For that matter, why should I have been so surprised that it was handled in such a straightforward manner? |