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Testing

Many companies are including tuners into set top boxes, especially for PVR type devices whether it is a classical PC or a Tivo-like system. Unfortunately, even higher end processors tend to chug when trying to encode into a high quality video format like MPEG2. That said, it is important for the Tuner to offload some of the encoding work from the CPU onto the tuner itself to ensure an acceptable level of system responsiveness while recording/encoding and also to prevent dropped frames.

Test System

• Barton 2500 (333 Mhz)
• Gigabyte GA-7N400-L (NForce 2)
• Maxtor Sata 120GB
• Liteon LDW411S
• 1 GB Ram (PC3200 running at 1:1 with the FSB)
• ATI Radeon 8500 LE (64 Meg)
• Windows XP SP1

Processor Usage

There were several recording options as well as straight forward TV playback in a window. Processor usage was guaged from Task Manager using the scientific 'eyeball guestimate' method made famous by such engineers as the ones from the Hindenburg Blimp and Titanic amongst others. Note that CPU Processor percentages fluctuated a bit, roughly +/- 5% from the stated results, but in general it stayed around the range summerized in the table below.

The quality differences were quite noticeable between the different modes. The biggest jump is of course going from MPEG1 to MPEG2. MPEG2 at normal quality had more compression artifacts than either Good or Optimal quality where as Optimal and Good Quality were fairly close. WMV was surprisingly good for such a small file size whereas uncompressed avi looked only slightly better than MPEG2 Optimal quality and is not worth the size difference for recording TV. This is another issue if capturing from a higher quality source. For the relatively small differences in file sizes, I would suggest Optimal for MPEG2 encoding. Even the difference between MPEG1 at high quality and MPEG2 and normal quality are not hugely different as far as file sizes go. Processor usage however is another situation. MPEG1 would be recommended for those with lower end machines as they may not be able to keep up in MPEG2. Using the record to DVD mode, even though processor usage was simliar to MPEG2 optimal quality, the machine felt noticable sluggish.

Conclusions

Leadtek has put together a solid package with the Winfast TV2000 XP. There were some minor issues with regards to the UI especially with the scheduling of programs - this should not be hidden within several layers of menus but it should have a convenient button on the main screen like the record button. The Record to Disc function might be able to use some tweaking also as the actual burner was active but upon the completion of the burn, both the DVD-Drive on the computer and a stand alone DVD player refused to play the disc and claimed it was empty.

Overall, I was really impressed with the Leadtek Winfast TV 2000XP Expert TV Tuner. It accomplishes everything I expected a tuner to do and it does it well. Picture quality was very good and could be considered to be amongst the leaders in this segment. The only problems I have with this product is during the initial set-up and installation, beyond that this product produces more than enough good television experience on the computer to equate to its economical price point. The software bundle is good and should keep aspiring video enthusiasts busy with the inclusion of the Ulead suite of products that allow the end user to manipulate, add effects and burn their masterpiece to DVD. Processor usage was a bit on the high end- no it did not hit 100% but realistically users with lower end computers will not want to be doing anything but PVR duties when using this product as such. TV on the desktop is a great feature and the Leadtek will definitely be getting a lot of use.