OnAir USB HDTV-GT - Features

Features

Here’s a sampler:

Digital and Analog TV:

• HDTV at 1280 x 720 or 1920 x 1080 (ATSC)
• Digital (ATSC) and Analog (NTSC) tuning
• QAM tuning without the cable box
• AC3 / AAC Audio Decoding output

Recording and Playback:

• Real-time (Tivo/DVR) or Scheduled Recording
• Hardware MPEG2 Encoding for Analog sources (up to 720x480)
• Playback HD Stream Files (.trp), MPEG2, DVD, etc
• OnAir HD Editor (30-day demo)

Inputs and Outputs:

• Composite, S-Video, Stereo audio inputs
• USB (naturally)

Accessories:

• Remote control
• Telescoping antenna
• USB and A/V Input cables
• Handy carry case

The GT comes with a fairly rounded set of features, as you can see.  While making the leap from analog to digital TV is a painful process, bridging the gap between digital and TV is already on its 5th generation chipset.  The GT's chipset is provided by LG, if you must know.  It’s just short of being ‘loaded,’ as a matter of fact.  Obviously you’ll want the GT for its ability to tune over-the-air HDTV, which it does very well.  But, it will also suffer through the analog TV for you, but with its short antenna, while it lasts anyway.  Analog TV will end here in US in January 2009.

It also does QAM for cable tuning, but you'll still need the cable box if you've got some encrypted channels on your plan.  As far as black boxes go, the GT is just mysterious enough to raise some eyebrows trying to pass through US airports.  It also comes with a remote control.

The GT’s remote control bridges the gap between lazy and ultra-lazy.  The remote is actually larger than the GT itself, which is a bit of a surprise.  The remote can also be programmed to control other programs, if you wish.  The OnAir RemoCon application also includes several control schemes, including Firefox, WMP, MCE, SageTV, and WinAmp. 

It also has the unfortunate feature of turning off my Logitech Z-680’s with the down channel button.  I could reprogram it, I guess, but you know, I’m feeling so very lazy.

While there isn’t a component input, it does have composite and s-video inputs.  I like it.  It’s very handy to be able to connect up a video camera and start digitizing, straight into MPEG2.  There's also stereo audio inputs (the red and white RCA connectors).

So far, there isn't a lot to the hardware, because it truly is the software that makes the magic happen.  Next page, please.