MODTHEBOX.COM - Canada's Premier Case Modding Source - Reviews

Product:	KWorld TVBox 1440 (VS-TV1440RNB)
MSRP:	$59.00 (US)
Author:	Nano-ZTX
Date:	July 10th, 2007
Rating:

Today's technology trend is moving entertainment away from the living-room and into the bedroom. Computer games, news websites, music videos, TV shows, movies, and so on. Since just about everything has been integrated to the PC the only thing left is the video game console, and that is right around the corner. TV to PC converter devices lets the gamer play his favorite console directly on a PC monitor without having to buy a TV screen. This is an ideal setup for someone who has just spent hundreds of dollars on a large, top-of-the-line monitor and does not want to spend the same amount on a sub-par HDTV, or someone who just doesn't want to make room for another screen. The opposite of connecting a PC to an HDTV is connecting a TV to a PC monitor without the complexity of using PC TV-Tuner cards.

The Converter

I've had previous experience with products from KWorld and they proved good value for the money, so I decided to pick their product for this set up. The goal is to be able to play my vintage PS2 on a recent model LCD monitor, and wide-screen no less. Most players may not notice but there are plenty of PS2 games that support wide-screen since many in Japan have used 16:9 ratio screens for a long time. There are a few dozen PS2 games that support 480p Progressive mode for a clearer picture as well. One issue however, is that PC monitor LCDs come in 16:10 ratio so the converter must be able to handle it without distorting or cropping the picture.

I ordered the TVBox 1440 from KWorld because it is advertises to handle correct aspect ratios on various resolutions. I still kept my expectations low as I have encountered many products that can't even meet box-printed advertisements. KWorld however, delivers somewhat of a good B+ that is.

Specifications

TV Tuner w/ Remote Control

Interface VGA

Video Display NTSC/PAL

Ports In Composite (RCA) + S Video (4PIN) + YPbPr (RCA) + VGA

Ports Out D-sub VGA

System Requirements No specific PC system required, LCD, CRT, Plasma or projectors with VGA input

Video input device (e.g. VCR, V8, DVD player, TV game console etc.)

TV System Input 75O IEC or type-F

VGA Output Resolutions 800x600,1024 x 768,1280 x 1024,1440 x 900

Audio input & output Mini jack (stereo) (3.5mm)

Power 5V DC, 800mA

Packaging and Accessories:

The packaging is very generic and has a 'Made-in China' look to it. Thankfully it comes with an instruction manual written in decent English as opposed to Eingarish. Inside, the converter itself is very small and looks good due to a soft rubber-like coating similar to that of IBM laptops. It also has a detachable stand for vertical positioning. It has three connector cables for video, S-Video with stereo and Composite, Composite only and Component YPbPr with Composite. VGA input and stereo output cables are also included. The unit runs off an AC/DC adapter included in the package. The remote feels light but the buttons are decent enough to operate without putting strain on fingers. However the response from the converter comes very slowly, almost as much as one second delay which can be very frustrating on frequent channel hopping. There are buttons on top of the unit for remote less configuration adjustments and a tiny speaker next to it which has little use other than for testing sound input.