Gainward TV2GO Review - Overall Impressions

Overall impressions on this product were good. If you have a decent connection to the Internet, I have a small WMV video sample I got using this product you can check it out by clicking this link.

I noticed right away that you MUST HAVE USB 2.0 to enjoy this product.

USB 2.0

USB 1.1

As you can see, the difference is clear. As the screen size increases so does the pixelation and therefore the deterioration of the picture. Most, if not all, newer computers/motherboards come equipped with USB 2.0 capabilities; just make sure you have the latest drivers installed for them, and you shouldn't have any problems here.

The remote is definitely handy, although it works on line of sight not an RF signal so the TV2GO has to be out in the open.

If you would be purchasing this for use on your desktop PC, then it will have to look something similar to this while using the USB extender cable so that the remote signals can get to the optical eye on top of the TV2GO. I would suggest plugging this directly into the front USB ports if you have them, but there are two problems with that. (1) You'll then have an ugly black coaxial cable dangling out of the front of your computer. (2) As small as this thing is, it's still pushing the weight limit I'd trust a USB plug to hold up, so connecting it up front where it could get ripped off and then connecting a cable to it which further puts it at risk doesn't seem like such a good idea.

This kind of leads into my main dilemma with this product...who is it for? It's meant to be mobile, so think laptop users, but I seriously don't know any laptop users who either don't have a desktop rig that they could buy a cheaper PCI tuner card for or who would actually take this thing with their laptop and set it up at some remote location. It is well made and full featured and it even comes with a cool little carrying case, though you probably won't be able to fit anything besides the TV2GO in there, so you'll have to stick the various cables in your laptop case I guess. Just try to picture yourself with a laptop going somewhere (like I said I don't know where) and setting up your laptop, plugging this thing in and then finding a stray coaxial cable to use so that you can sit down and start watching TV. I just can't come up with a viable situation where this would be necessary. If you can, then by all means don't hesitate to buy this product.

On quality and craftsmanship, I'll give Gainward a 8/10. On software usefullness and features, I'll give them a 9/10. On actual necessity for the TV2GO as opposed to a PCI solution they get a 2/10. Awesome product, no market.

We at DevHardware would like to thank Gainward for supplying the review sample and you can check out their website here. If you have any questions or comments visit the blog topic for this article or you can send me an email (cyd@devhardware.com).