PCTV 300I - TV Card PINNACLE - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Internal PCI TV Card
Brand	PINNACLE
Model	PCTV 300i
System Bus	PCI Rev. 2.3 (busmaster)
Video Decoder	Philips SAA7134
TV Tuner	Microtune MT2050, 45.75 – 863.25 MHz
Analog Demodulator	TDA 9885, PAL B/G/D/K/I
DVB-T Demodulator	Zarlink MT352, 16/64 QAM, QPSK, bandwidth 6/7/8 MHz, UHF/VHF
Video Inputs	S-Video (Mini-DIN), Composite (RCA)
Antenna Input	75 Ohm, IEC Connector
Audio Output	Internal 4-pin connector (2.8 mm pitch) for sound card
Remote Control Connector	Yes (for optional infrared receiver)
Dimensions (approx.)	120 x 70 mm (standard PCI card)
Weight (approx.)	50 g
Power Supply	Via PCI slot (3.3V/5V)
Minimum Configuration	Pentium III 1 GHz, 128 MB RAM, 5 GB hard drive, DirectX 8 graphics card, Windows XP
Recommended Configuration	Pentium IV 2 GHz, 256 MB RAM, DirectX 9 graphics card
Supported Operating Systems	Windows XP (Home, Professional, Media Center Edition 2005)
Maintenance and Cleaning	Dust with compressed air, avoid moisture. Handle with care against electrostatic discharge.
Safety	Disconnect PC power before any manipulation. Discharge static electricity by touching the case.
Spare Parts and Repairability	Not specified. Contact Pinnacle customer service.
Compliance Standards	CE, EN 55022, EN 55024, EN 60950

Frequently Asked Questions - PCTV 300I PINNACLE

What is the minimum configuration required to use the Pinnacle PCTV 300i?

The minimum configuration is a Pentium III 1 GHz processor (or equivalent AMD), 128 MB RAM, 5 GB free hard disk space, a DirectX 8 compatible graphics card, a DirectX 9 compatible sound card, and a CD-ROM drive. The operating system must be Windows XP (Home, Professional or Media Center Edition 2005).

How to physically install the PCTV 300i card in my computer?

Disconnect the PC power and discharge static electricity. Open the case, locate a free PCI slot, remove the corresponding slot cover. Insert the card applying uniform pressure. Secure the card with the screw. Connect the internal audio cable (optional) between the card and the sound card if you want analog audio. Close the case and reconnect the power.

What types of TV signals can the PCTV 300i receive?

The card supports analog PAL TV (standards B/G/D/K/I) and digital terrestrial DVB-T (16/64 QAM, QPSK, bandwidth 6/7/8 MHz) on UHF and VHF bands.

How to connect an antenna to the PCTV 300i?

Use a 75 ohm antenna cable with an IEC connector. Connect it to the antenna input of the card. For optimal reception, orient the antenna towards the nearest transmitter and place it high, away from screens. For active antennas, enable the power supply in the Pinnacle MediaCenter software settings.

Can I connect other video sources like a DVD player?

Yes, the card has an S-Video (Mini-DIN) input and a Composite (RCA) input. You can connect a DVD player, a game console, or a camcorder. Use the provided software to select the input source.

Is the PCTV 300i compatible with Windows 10?

No, the card was designed for Windows XP only. No official drivers are available for newer versions of Windows. Its use under Windows 10 is not guaranteed.

Can I record TV programs with this card?

Yes, thanks to the provided Pinnacle MediaCenter software, you can watch, record, and pause live TV. Make sure you have enough disk space (at least 5 GB recommended).

How to improve DVB-T reception?

Place the antenna near a window, high up, away from electronic devices. Use a double shielded antenna cable. For an active antenna, enable the power in the settings. Outdoors, a directional antenna aimed at the transmitter gives the best results.

Where to find drivers and software for the PCTV 300i?

The drivers and Pinnacle MediaCenter software are usually provided on a CD-ROM with the card. You can also download them from the Pinnacle support website, if still available. Note: the drivers are designed for Windows XP.

What to do if the card is not detected by the computer?

Check that the card is properly inserted in the PCI slot, that the slot is functional. Make sure you have installed the appropriate drivers for Windows XP. Restart the computer. If the problem persists, try another PCI slot or contact technical support.

USER MANUAL PCTV 300I PINNACLE

All rights reserved.

No part of this manual may be reproduced or transferred to other media without explicit written permission from Pinnacle Systems GmbH, Braunschweig, Germany.

All brand or product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

This manual is printed on chlorine-free, bleached paper using solvent-free ink.

Pinnacle Systems GmbH has written this manual to the best of its knowledge, but does not guarantee that the programs/systems will fulfill the users' intended applications.

No warranty is made as to the specifications of features.

Pinnacle Systems GmbH retains the right to make alterations to the content of the manual without obligation to inform third parties.

All quotes, sales, supply and manufacturing contracts from Pinnacle Systems GmbH, including consulting, installation and other contractual services are subject exclusively to the General Sales and Delivery Terms of Pinnacle Systems GmbH.

Table of Contents

System requirements 1

Computer hardware 1
Computer software 1

For your own safety. 2

Hardware Installation 3

Preparing installation 3
Using PCTV MediaCenter 300i hardware. 4
After installation 4

Connecting the Equipment 5

Tips on Positioning the Antenna 6
Technical Data. 7

Bus system 7
Video decoder 7
TVtuner 7
Analog demodulator 7
DVB-T demodulator 7
Video inputs 7
Antenna input 8
Remote control input. 8
Audio output 8

Notes

Your system must satisfy the following requirements in order for your PCTV MediaCenter 300i to function without problems:

Computer hardware

Processor

At least: Pentium III with 1 GHz or a comparable AMD processor

Recommended: Pentium IV with 2 GHz or a comparable AMD processor

Main memory

At least: 128 MB RAM

Recommended: 256 MB RAM

Hard disk

IDE hard disk with master mode drivers and at least 5 GB of free storage space

Graphics card

At least: DirectX8-compatible graphics card

Recommended: DirectX9-compatible graphics card

Sound card

At least: DirectX9-compatible soundcard

CD-ROM drive (at least) or CD-/DVD burner (recommended)

Computer software

Windows XP (Home Edition, Professional Edition or Media Center Edition 2005) with the latest Service Pack

If you purchased your PCTV MediaCenter 300i together with a PC and thus it is already installed, then please skip the following chapters in this manual and continue reading with the chapter "Connecting the Equipment".

In the interest of your own safety and the flawless functioning of your new PCTV MediaCenter 300i and computer system please note the following:

• Computer components are sensitive to static charge. Divert any electrostatic charge from your person before touching the components with your hands or any tools.
• Before opening the computer make sure that the power plug is disconnected from the wall outlet.

Preparing installation

The only tool you need for the installation is a screwdriver.

• Discharge yourself of static charge by touching the power unit casing.
• Turn off your computer and all peripheral devices. Disconnect the computer from the power supply and all necessary components.
• Loosen the computer's cover screws and remove the cover.
• Select a free PCI (busmaster) slot. Remove the slot's cover at the back of the computer and keep the screws.

Using PCTV MediaCenter 300i hardware

• Please connect an internal audio cable plug to the internal audio output of the board and the other plug to the internal audio input of your soundcard.
  Plug the board into the previously selected PCI slot. To do so hold the board at the top and push it down into the slot applying even pressure at both ends. Press down on the upper edge so that the board fits firmly in the slot.

• If the board is not easily inserted into the slot, then please do not use force as this may bend the contact springs on the socket connector. Instead, remove the board and try to insert it once again.

After installation

• After you have inserted the hardware, firmly tighten the retaining bracket of the board on the back of the computer.
• Now place the cover onto your computer and connect the peripheral devices.

Tips on Positioning the Antenna

Please take note of the following in order to achieve the best possible digital television reception:

• Wherever possible place the antenna in the direction of the nearest transmitter.
  If you use an indoor antenna, then position it near a window if possible.
• Try to position any indoor antenna as high as possible (e.g. on top of a cupboard).
• An indoor antenna should not be located near to a computer monitor, television or the like.
• Make certain to have the proper polarization if you use an active flat antenna (if you are not certain, then you can find out whether the antenna should have a transverse or upright position by trial and error).
• For active antennas activate the antenna power supply in the "Settings" menu of the Pinnacle MediaCenter application.
• Only double-shielded antenna cable should be used.

Bus system

PCI Rev. 2.3

Video decoder

Philips SAA7134

TV tuner

Microtune MT2050

The frequency range is from 45.75 to 863.25MHz .

Analog demodulator

TDA 9885

PAL B/G/D/K/I

DVB-T demodulator

Zarlink MT352

16, 64 QAM, QPSK
6, 7, 8 MHz bandwidth
UHF, VHF

Video inputs

S-Video input (Mini-DIN), Composite video input (chinch)

Antenna input

75 Ohm IEC adapter

Remote control input

Remote control input for connecting optionally supplied receiver cable

Audio output

Audio output (for sound card) via internal four-pin plug-in connector, 2.8 mm grid

Anbieter / Supplier :

Anschrift / Address :

Pinnacle Systems GmbH

Frankfurter Strasse 3c

38122 Braunschweig, Germany

Produkt / Product :

PCTV MediaCenter 300i

This certification is based on: Test report(s) generated by EMI-test laboratory

Braunschweig, 7. Juli 2004 / July 7th, 2004

Bernd Riemann

Director Hardware Engineering

Oliver Hellmold

Finanzdirektor / Director Finance