Hauppauge Colossus: HD PVR with HDMI Support
by Andrew Van Til on April 14, 2011 5:40 PM EST- Posted in
- HTPC
- Home Theater
- Hauppauge
Final Thoughts
Obviously the Colossus still has some rough edges. Ideally, all HTPC and technology in general would work without issue, but unfortunately that’s not the case, particularly in this market. In context, it is regrettably normal for early drivers on devices like the Colossus to have problems, including much greater stability issues than observed with this device. Even the 8.3% recording fail rate is well below what I experienced with the original HD PVR during the first months of use.
Clearly Hauppauge has work to do, both in improving recording quality and driver stability under extreme duress. However, component (YPbPr) + S/PDIF (TOSLINK) and HDMI capture options, alongside greater reliability than even the original HD PVR can currently provide, makes the Colossus is a worthy successor in this space.
If you’re after hardware that just works, you might want to hold off a few more months to let the drivers (and the HTPC community) work out some of the remaining kinks. If you’re part of that community, or just an A/V enthusiast, the Colossus is a nice option to add to the list.
Pros:
- Native resolution capture for 480i, 720p and 1080i with Dolby Digital 5.1
- HDMI support for those with STB that do not use HDCP
- PCIe format
- Component (YPbPr) and S/PDIF (TOSLINK) pass-through
Cons:
- Not all recordings are watchable
- Software/hardware bundle adds unnecessary cost with not additional value for DVR use
- No HDMI pass-through
- BSOD when continuously recording for more than sixteen hours
- Full height card leaves low-profile HTPC users out
Thanks to Hauppauge for providing the review sample.
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fri2219 - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
An HTPC with a quad processor bearing an actual 105W TDP?Just one 60mm fan?
Really?
Get ready to RMA your PVR card. Often.
JarredWalton - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
"It is more difficult to create a “worst case” environment with a full height card than would be possible if it were low-profile, since we can’t put the Colossus into some of the smaller HTPC cases. However, we did try to simulate use in a hotter chassis by utilizing the highest TDP CPU we had on hand as well as removing all but one of the case fans in the Ahanix D4 used in testing."The CPU was chosen specifically to put the card under duress. That's what "worst case" means. Would we recommend that sort of setup? Not necessarily, but at least it worked reasonably well in our testing. Now stick several Colossus cards next to each other and you could be in for trouble without additional fans.
babgvant - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Couldn't have said it better :)vol7ron - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Heh. Much love Jarred.vol7ron - Thursday, April 14, 2011 - link
Wait ... I'm just now reading the article... when did you get the Ceton InfiniTV 4!? I've been asking Anand about that for a year :)Have you guys had a review - did I miss it!?
dagamer34 - Friday, April 15, 2011 - link
http://www.amazon.com/Ceton-Infinitv4-Digital-Cabl...Your welcome
Anthony Toste - Friday, April 15, 2011 - link
Jarred Walton"Now stick several Colossus cards next to each other and you could be in for trouble without additional fans"
Only a dumdee would try using a small HTPC cases with several Colossus card beside that it better suite for a media sevrer any way with that min card that if you can find a motherboard with that min slot that dosen't cost a arm and leg.
How did come up with that when dosen't even run hot at all in fact I can put my finger on main chip when it even recording and it bearlee even gets luke warm unlike USB HD-PVR model and min other Hauppauge card from pass days.
"Not all recordings are watchable"
That maybe the bitstream issue and they are looking in to this which also has to do the BSOD issue to so best thing to do is reboot ever day I know not idea way of doing things and I couldn't aggree more on that one.
"Software/hardware bundle adds unnecessary cost with not additional value for DVR use"
Don't you mean just the Software?
I find Arcsoft’s ShowBiz very useful but it not for DVR use it capture only for DVR use you used WinTV 7 or any 3rdparty you like
Who know maybe they do OEM ver where get nothing other then drivers.
"No HDMI pass-through"
And do you plan add that when there no room for it.
"BSOD when continuously recording for more than sixteen hours"
This being address
"Full height card leaves low-profile HTPC users out"
Who know maybe there plan on one but you see they have dump HDMI and all Audio/Video output
Any way Andrew nice review.
bobbozzo - Saturday, April 16, 2011 - link
"Software/hardware bundle adds unnecessary cost with not additional value for DVR use""Don't you mean just the Software?"
Seems like the reviewer didn't like the remote as well.
babgvant - Saturday, April 16, 2011 - link
That is correct - it is not useful in most HTPC scenarios.dastruch - Friday, April 15, 2011 - link
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