Introduction:

HDTV broadcast becomes more accessible in many cities AutumnWave is bringing to the notebook/laptop users an easy way to capture the high quality must watch sports or your favorite HDTV programs on-the-go.

AutumnWave has two major product lines; one for consumer another for Broadcaster. Today, we are exploring the OnAir GT USB model. Although it is designated as a notebook/laptop application, it can be used on any desktop when you are finally staying home working on your papers and can’t seem to miss live game show on TV.

Like many PCI or PCIe TV tuner card, OnAir GT also provides AV jack to record or convert video from your TV, VCR and video-cam into your computer hard drive or burnt into DVD format.





It has a compact size and a carrying case; the remote control is rather large to haul around. Although the carrying case is nice, there is room for the antennae but not for the USB cord.





I could connect the antennae or cable TV of my choice depending on the location. The AV jack with RCA connector can be hooked up to video cam, TV or DVD player.

Software & Installation:

AutumnWave licenses the Nvidia Decoder. The software requires name of distributor, product code and activation key provided with the software driver CD; Also included in the package is WinDVD creator.

There is no glitch in the installation process. However, the driver is not certified by Microsoft for those who care to know. You will have to simply click "Continue Anyway" when you are prompted.







After the driver and software are installed, plug in the USB to the OnAir GT as Windows will search for the required driver internally.



Video capture can be done via the RCA connectors provided by connecting it to camcorder, DVD player or even your old VHS player.




As a reminder, Windows Vista users, you must have Administrator Right to install.

Setup:


From Channel Manager I could now scan digital TV from cable or air channels as well as analog signal.



A word of caution here: At my home I use AT&T with which I had no problem with. When I went by my friend's house, who has ComCast I could not receive any channels while all his TV sets are fine. This happened on SuperBowl evening :-( I was fooled by it for a few days. I finally swallowed my pride and asked Ryan Pertusio at Autumnwave for help. Accordingly, some cable providers in the U.S. (approximately 5 %) use something called frequency offset, it was ComCast in my case. This will not allow proper channel capture.



To resolve the problem, go to "Option" and head for "Driver". You will find the screen shot above. Check "HRC", and do a recan of the channels.



A snap shot of captured available channels.




Available recording feature.


Available Video source.

There is an additional editing feature; HD editing is included in the software package. However, I was unable to get this to work as my system would lock-up for reason explained below.

Analog v/s HDTV Reception:

It is difficult to describe how we individually perceive image color, sharpness, and crispness. However, if you remember how the old VHS tape performs versus today’s DVD movies I could "feel" the difference; this is what you would experience in TV broadcast and reception of analog to HD.

I took the AutumnWave OnAirGT with me to Cincinnati a month ago; where they have 5 free on-air HD TV broadcast channels. The difference was simply amazing. Since I am about 40 miles away from Chicago where HDTV broadcast is available at certain time of the day, I was unable to receive the signal.

I made a couple video clips; see if you could tell the difference. Bear in mind, the actual quality is much better.

Analog

High Definition

Thoughts:

I have been using the OnAir GT for a couple of months on and off. The winter weather in the Mid-West wasn't fun with snow storms damaging trees and power lines. My cable connection was down for almost a week; reception was marginal after the service was restored. The OnAir GT allows me to receive three channels via the tiny antenna. I only wish it has a signal booster to pull in more stations farther out.

I have to admit when Digital (High Definition) is available the picture quality is superior to analog by far. CPU usage was ~25% usage in my Dual Core Intel laptop with 2GB memory and onboard graphic. However, the CPU usage would be as high as 50-55% when I am browsing the internet and do some light office work such as Word or Excel using the laptop.

Using a desktop, again an Intel C2D @3Ghz speed and 8500GT graphic card, the CPU usage is down to 10% and no more than 15 browsing the internet and office work. I believe it has a lot to do with the graphic card taking up much of the work.

As for the full size remote control, I could live with a much smaller one with channel up/down, volume and on/off.

Conclusion :

The price is set rather high at about US$180. I am not quite sure if I would pack the remote control in my laptop bag. I certainly would like to see a place in the carrying case to include the USB cable, or I will be certain I forget to bring it with.

I no longer travel as much as before. When I did, I use "SlingPlayer". A device hooked up at home that allows me to watch my subscribe TV provider at home when I am away. For example, my trip to Asia last September I was watching all my favorite U.S. TV channels in Hong Kong from my laptop. But, I could not watch the local channels in Hong Kong.

OnAir GT will allow me to watch whatever I can pull in from local TV broadcast; both HD and Analog signals. Of course, I know I won't miss much when I travel within the country. With this in mind, "SlingPlayer" and "OnAir GT" are too different products aim at two different applications and usages, hence not competing with each other. Besides, there is no match on picture quality, the OnAir GT is far better than "SlingPlayer".

To sum up my feeling; I like the OnAir GT because it is easy to hook up, portable, provides excellent picture quality and HD ready. Yes, my nags; antenna booster, smaller remote and don't let me forget the USB cable.

+ Excellent picture quality
+ Bundled software
+ Digital HD ready
+ USB connectivity; ease of use

- Price