PC Perspective attempts to review the OnAir GT USB HDTV tuner
USB-powered HDTV tuners are commonplace these days so how do you choose one? Well, most people turn to reviews in order to select the right one for them. But how do you select a review? The first quality in our book is that the reviewer knows what he is talking about. Take this HDTV tuner review for example. PC Perspective is attempting to review OnAir GT USB tuner and we got through most of the review without a hitch but then we happened upon the screenshot page showing examples of different broadcasts. (this is where all their credibility flew out the second story window) The last two examples are signals off digital stations showing daytime programing - none that are high-def. We are sure the reviewer noticed that the stream was 720p/1080i via an onscreen display, but we are here to tell you that the programs are not in high definition - note the side black bars and SD picture quality. So for future reference, if you are reading a HDTV review from an 'expert' make sure they know what high-def looks like.
Read - Whole review
Read - Direct link to the screen shot page
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Jake @ Mar 21st 2007 12:01PM
Why, exactly, would this damage their credibility? They never said that this was an example of an HDTV "show," only of a 1080i signal. And it is, since the local affiliate is obviously broadcasting a full-time 1080i transport stream. So, what, you fault him for doing his review in the daytime (since there is almost no daytime broadcast HD)? Its an HD signal either way, even if its not an HD show. And the fact that it is displayed at all means that the part he is reviewing, the USB TUNER, is working as advertised/intended.
It's not exactly a slow news day for HD... I'm surprised at the need to post this kind of snotty sniping...
Josh Rosenbluh @ Mar 21st 2007 1:23PM
I'm with Engadget. The least the reviewer could've done is recorded Jeopardy or a bit of a the Today Show. The notion of showing an example page with static across the top of pictures is totally ludicrous, unless you're choosing to juxtapose SD with real HD content on the same page. It's like asking an octogenarian to review the performance of a sports car.
Mike @ Mar 21st 2007 3:08PM
Sammi doesn't look very happy there.
Schumann @ Mar 21st 2007 3:51PM
Why even link to a bad, nonsensical review and give them undue publicity? :)
clads01 @ Mar 21st 2007 7:16PM
@ Josh R: Uh, that's not static. It's the closed caption info that you don't normally see due to overscan.
Ryan Pertusio @ Apr 23rd 2007 3:13PM
Hello, it's Ryan Pertusio from AutumnWave!
To Engadget HD: We'll happily provide you a demo unit (of the OnAir GT) if you would like to write your own review! ( Contact us: 'tech AT autumnwave DOT com' )
To Josh Rosenbluh: Normally, there are default 'Overscan' settings that hide the bar of 'static'. This bar (as clads01 indicated) is actually some data contained within the stream, and is hidden from view. Screenshots do contain the entire picture (without any overscan). Since the PC Perspective reviewer superimposed the screenshots, it is visible in the software.
To other readers: The OnAir GT supports full HD up to 1920x1080. You can download/watch a 2 minute HD clip recorded with one of our devices at our website:
http://www.autumnwave.com/
(Support > Downloads > OnAir HDTV Products )
I'll happily answer any questions you may have, and I'm also available for technical support (should you need it!)
Regards,
- Ryan Pertusio
AutumnWave Technical Support
OnAir Solution North America
http://www.autumnwave.com/