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AVerMedia TVBox 9

Manufacturer: AVerMedia Part number: MTVBOXEX9

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$159.95 - $179.53 at 5 online stores

CNET Editor rating:
3.5 stars Very good
Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews

More product information:: Editors' review; User reviews; Specifications; Manufacturer info

Bottom Line:: The AVerMedia TVBox 9 is a simple device that allows you to turn any computer monitor into a television.
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Where to buy

store	customer rating	inventory	tax & shipping	price
The Right Technology. Right Away.	Rate this store See store profile	See Site	Enter zip code to get total price: Price +Tax +Shipping =Total price	$169.99 Shop now as of 12/02/2008
	Rate this store See store profile	In stock Try Free Amazon Prime for one Month		$172.50 Shop now as of 12/02/2008
PREMIER SOURCE of cutting edge electronics since 1973.	Rate this store See store profile	In stock SHIPS IN 24 Hrs! Auth AverMedia dealer w/ warranty		$159.95 Shop now as of 12/02/2008
Amazon.com Marketplace	Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$177.95 Shop now as of 12/02/2008
Camcor	Not yet rated Rate this store See store profile	In stock		$179.53 Shop now as of 12/02/2008

*Total price for the AVerMedia TVBox 9 are estimated and may vary slightly based on exact tax, shipping, manufacturer rebate or any sale/promotion on the merchant site.

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CNET editors' review

AVerMedia TVBox 9

price range: $159.95 - $179.53

Reviewed by: David Carnoy
Reviewed on: 04/08/2004
Released on: 01/08/2004

The good: Easy setup; decent connectivity options; built-in picture-enhancement circuitry; remote included; picture-in-picture capability; closed-caption option.

The bad: Does not accept a high-definition signal; limited inputs available; front-panel connections can be unsightly.

The bottom line: The AVerMedia TVBox 9 is a simple device that allows you to turn any computer monitor into a television.

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If you've ever wanted to turn a computer monitor--whether it's a thin-screen LCD or a space-hogging CRT--into a TV, the AVerMedia TVBox 9 allows you to do it without bringing a computer into the equation.

The device, which retails for $179 but can be had for less online, is a small, silver-colored box that essentially adds TV-style connectivity ports to your monitor and throws in some video-processing enhancements--2:3 pull-down and deinterlacing--to help smooth out the picture on your screen. If you want, you can also connect a computer and, using the VGA pass-through input, watch TV while working on your PC or Mac via the picture-in-picture (PIP) option. There's even a translucent PIP function, which allows you to compute over a ghosted TV image in the background.

We hooked up the AVerMedia TVBox 9 to a nearly six-year-old 15-inch LCD monitor, plugged our raw cable-TV feed into the cable jack on the TVBox 9, and within a matter of minutes, had basic cable TV showing on our screen. The included IR remote is nothing fancy, but it's quite user friendly, and the buttons are well laid out. You change channels just as you would with a normal TV; also, such features as a multichannel preview window, closed caption, and parental control are available with the touch of a button.

If you have a digital-cable or satellite box, just hook it up to the composite, S-Video, or component input--or tune to channel 3 or 4 and use the coaxial RF connector. But those with high-definition TV tuners or progressive-scan (480p) DVD players take note: While the unit supports resolutions up to 1,280x1,024, it will not accept an HD signal. Using the Source button, you then toggle to the TVBox 9's appropriate input and use your set-top box's remote to change channels as you normally would. If your monitor doesn't have built-in speakers, you will have to connect a pair of PC speakers to get sound. Along with a PC speaker output, the TVBox 9 also has analog RCA left/right audio inputs, as well as a standard 1/8-inch headphone minijack.

We ended up watching a lot of TV (CNN, some sports, and late-night shows such as Letterman and Saturday Night Live), and all of it looked OK--about what you'd expect from TV displayed on a 15- or 17-inch Sharp Aquos LCD TV. Movies played via a Panasonic portable DVD player didn't look too shabby, either. The folks at AVerMedia say its 3D Motion Adaptive Deinterlace, 2:3 pull-down, and progressive-scan output improve the picture quality. While all that video-enhancement circuitry isn't going to make a huge difference on a small-screen LCD or CRT, we were pleased to see the 2:3 pull-down effect on our Video 2000 test disc and in the telltale opening pan of Star Trek: Insurrection, making for a smoother picture.

All in all, this is a simple, useful product that does exactly what it's advertised to do. If you want something a little cheaper and don't mind losing the closed-caption/parental-control feature, as well as the progressive-scan and multichannel preview mode, the TVBox 5 is available for $79 less.

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User reviews

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Average user rating: 3.5 stars out of 3 reviews
My rating: 0 stars

Showing opinion 1 to 3 out of 3

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6 stars

nice idea but...

by Jusca on August 14, 2007

Pros: puts old monitors to use, no need for tv

Cons: cost of tuner higher than average tv

Summary: good project but you can buy a new tv for the price of all the equipment you need to do project.

Summary: good project but you can buy a new tv for the price of all the equipment you need to do project.

1 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
9 stars

It Make My LCD Monitor A Perfect TV

by thanhdq on December 1, 2005

Pros: Excellent Image Quality

Cons: PIP function fail

Summary: I bought This Tuner yesterday.
It is a great tuner with many functions.

This tuner make my LCD monitor become a perfect LCD TV that can compare to famous LCD

...

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Summary: I bought This Tuner yesterday.
It is a great tuner with many functions.

This tuner make my LCD monitor become a perfect LCD TV that can compare to famous LCD TV brands.

But its PIP function has not worked yet.
Updated
I bought it in Viet Nam with 95$ only.

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8 stars

Kitchen appliance..on a swivel.

by castingRod47 on December 3, 2006

Pros: Yes..sooner or later/there it is..a Monitor.

Cons: Built in sound/Monitors..

Summary: I have an extra CRT..and its sitting on the floor covered by a cloth..I would place this in my Kitchen because I usually have very long cook times ...

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Summary: I have an extra CRT..and its sitting on the floor covered by a cloth..I would place this in my Kitchen because I usually have very long cook times and cram to see some news spot or TV-show..many times I miss some TV-spot and just stand at the stove..but could place this atop the refridgerator..I think an old wooden cutting board would help to not ruin the Fridge/and the Swivel base is a nice touch..I would consider this ITEM for purchase.

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0 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.

Showing opinion 1 to 3 out of 3

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Specifications

Manufacturer: AVerMedia
Part number: MTVBOXEX9
Description: Super sleek, portable AVerMedia TVBox 9 transforms your LCD monitor into a TV and plug-n-play multimedia entertainment station, with or without using a PC. Connect your DVD player, VCR, game console (like Nintendo, Dreamcast, PlayStation 2, XBOX) or other devices easily. Watch TV, movies, and play video games in style!

General
Device Type TV tuner / video input adapter
Enclosure Type External
Width 6.3 in
Depth 4.5 in
Height 1 in
Weight 0.7 lbs
Video Input
Type TV tuner
Analog Video Signal HF TV signal, Composite video, RGB, S-Video, Component video
Features Picture-in-picture capability, Remote control
Video Input Adapters
Analog Video Format PAL-M, PAL-N, NTSC
Digital resolution 1280 x 1024
Compatibility PC
Connector type RCA, 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm
Required slot None
Expansion / Connectivity
Expansion Slots Total (Free) None
Interfaces 1 x Audio - Line-in - Mini-phone stereo 3.5 mm, 1 x Display / video - VGA output - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - VGA input - 15 pin HD D-Sub (HD-15), 1 x Display / video - Composite video input - RCA, 1 x TV antenna - Input, 2 x Audio - Line-out, 1 x Display / video - S-video input, 1 x Display / video - Component video input, 1 x Audio - Line-in - RCA X 2
Compatible Slots None
Video
Form Factor External
Interface Type Composite video input, S-video input, Component video input

Miscellaneous
Included Accessories Vertical stand, Remote control
Cables Included 1 x Display cable, 1 x Video cable, 1 x Audio cable
Audio Input
Type None
Power
Type Power adapter
Manufacturer Warranty
Service & Support 1 year warranty
Service & Support Details Limited warranty - Parts and labor - 1 year

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