Exclusive Hands On Review of the Black Gold BGT3620 Dual DVB-T/T2 Tuner Card

Yesterday I received the Black Gold BGT3620 Dual DVB-T/T2 tuner card, and today here is our exclusive hands on review.

Here is how Black Gold describe the BGT3620:

The BGT3620 is a premium multi-channel hybrid tuner, digital demodulator, analogue capture, intelligent remote PCI-express PCTV product, implemented on a miniature platform. The  product is capable of receiving standard and high definition digital broadcast program content, including the new UK Freeview HD channels. It is designed to transform a personal computer into a high-end audio video entertainment system, supporting external video streams and worldwide HD broadcast streams.

Hardware receiver support – Analogue terrestrial (PAL, NTSC, CECAM), dual digital terrestrial including both DVB-T and DVB-T2, dual digital cable DVB-C.

Hardware profile – Miniature profile solution exceptionally low real estate, supporting compact half height and full height PC systems. (88.5mm x 50mm PCB outline including PCI-e fingers)

The BGT3620 is the perfect Windows 7, Vista & XP Media Center TV partner. No other product in this class provides the extensive support for Media Center of the BGT3620:

1. 32 and 64 bit Broadcast Driver Architecture (BDA) WHQL drivers
2. Media Center remote control including S3 wakeup (option)
3. Special Media Center support for tuning and scanning of DVB-C channels
4. External video equipment connection via an audio/video adapter cable supporting composite video –yellow  phono  connector, S video – mini DIN connector, component RGB video –  red/green/blue phono connectors  and stereo audio –  red/white phono connectors

What’s In The Box?

Well, more like what was in the jiffy bag, because this one wasn’t actually boxed so I can’t say what should be in there.

In this case though, I got the BGT3620 card, and a set of cables.

As you can see from the card in the pictures above, there is no bracket attached. This is because the card comes with two different size brackets, depending on the type of computer you are fitting it in. You also get the two tiny screws and a mini screwdriver.

Fitting the bracket to the card was simple and took a few seconds.

I have been asked about what software comes with the BGT3620 – the honest answer is that I don’t know. This card was not supplied for review by Black Gold, in fact having sent a few emails to them over the last few weeks I have not had a single reply. This card was supplied by Tranquil (thank you again)!

Checking I Received Freeview HD

While I was waiting to install the card in my machine, I thought it was a good idea to check to see if I could actually receive Freeview HD. I figured I should be able to, but I didn’t want to waste any time, so I figured I would check.

Freeview actually have a website that enables you to put in your postcode and it will check if you can receive Freeview HD, and if not, when it is expected.

Fortunately for me, Freeview HD had been enabled in my area a few months before.

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