Until recently, PCI-E was exclusively for graphics cards, but at last a few other cards that use the 1x PCI-E interface are emerging. Terratec's Cinergy 2400i DT is one such card, which also has the added bonus of including two digital TV tuners onto its PCB.
The Terratec is available in two flavours - one for MCE, and one for Windows XP. The MCE version simply gives you dual-tuner capabilities within Windows XP MCE 2005. However, the standalone version has quite a bit more for the extra £15 it costs. Aside from the obligatory IR remote and USB receiver, there's a great software bundle.
From past experience, PowerCinema is the best attempt to make an interface that you can actually use without recourse to the keyboard and mouse that we've seen. The MakeDVD plug-in allows you to burn recordings straight to DVD from within PowerCinema.
The EPG is supplied by NexTView, but it still strips the Teletext information from the DVB-T stream. This is presented in a friendly graphical format (again reminiscent of MCE), which is easily navigable with the remote, including the scheduling of recordings. One task we found we had to perform using the mouse was loading PowerCinema itself, as the IR remote software didn't automatically pick it up on the correct remote control profile.
However, the dual-tuner capabilities within PowerCinema are disappointing. PowerCinema's TwinView feature allows you to watch a second channel while recording the first, but it forces you to set it up manually, rather than automatically sensing that the second tuner is free.
Although the Terratec lacks some of the features of single-tuner cards, such as composite or S-Video connections, it provides you with two tuners for a keen price. This makes it a great partner for MCE. PowerCinema is also the most couch-friendly of the PVR apps this month, although it makes poor use of the Terratec's dual tuners. Whether your media PC has MCE or Windows XP, the Cinergy 2400i DT is well worth considering, although you'll need a motherboard with a 1x PCI-E slot, as there's no PCI version available.
Author: James Morris
Terratec Cinergy 2400i DT