Archive notice: This article was originally published on October 17, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
“Cable television is widespread in Germany and Switzerland,” says Hossain El Ouariachi, Marketing Manager DACH at Pinnacle Systems. “With the Pinnacle PCTV Quatro Stick, we are ensuring that consumers can watch television programmes from their respective countries on their PCs, whether via cable or terrestrial reception, at an affordable price.”
Television without compromise
The small stick is easy to install by connecting it to the computer’s USB 2.0 port and to an existing TV antenna, television connection or the supplied telescopic antenna. Once connected, the PCTV Quatro Stick instantly turns any PC into a personal video recorder that also receives FM and web radio when connected to the internet. Time-shifted playback lets users record, pause or rewind live television broadcasts so they never miss another TV moment. The included DistanTV software makes television available throughout the home, as live broadcasts can also be transmitted to multiple PCs. Users can watch their favourite series either full-screen or in a smaller window while using other PC applications at the same time.
Stick with video recorder and video editing
The Pinnacle TVCenter Pro software included with the new Pinnacle PCTV Quatro Stick provides all the functions of a personal video recorder. Its integrated electronic programme guide (EPG) makes finding programmes and recording them easier. Broadcasts can be recorded in various standards, including DivX. A trial version supporting the MPEG-4 format enables transfer to a PlayStation or an iPod. With the included Pinnacle VideoSpin video-editing software, any video enthusiast can easily create their own films by editing recordings and adding photos, music and custom transitions. As a bonus, the PCTV Quatro Stick can receive analogue video from a set-top box or camcorder using the supplied A/V adapter cable. With its latest-generation DVB-T chipset, the stick therefore offers high-quality digital TV and receives terrestrial HDTV in the MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 standard.
Price and availability
The PCTV Quatro Stick is available in Germany and Switzerland from mid-October at all major retailers and online at http://www.pinnaclesys.com for a recommended retail price of €89.90. The Pinnacle PCTV Quatro Stick is compatible with Windows Vista and Windows Media Center.