Never Miss a Show with Pinnacle PCTV To Go

Avid's Pinnacle Systems is taking on Slim Devices with the PCTV To Go, which lets users stream their home TV, video, and media anywhere via the Internet.

Avid subsidiary Pinnacle Systems has decided to chase after Logitech’s newly-acquired Slim Devices with it’s new PCTV To Go, a wireless media router which enabled users to stream their home video and media content—television, DVD, DVR, and Media Center content—anywhere in the world the can tap into broadband Internet access. And the PCTV To Go does it all via Wi-Fi networking, so there’s no need to hook up an Ethernet router or switch or string additional cabling to get your IP-enabled home video fix up and running.

“PCTV To Go is the ultimate wireless solution for TV viewing on a PC. It’s easy to set up, easy to control, easy to access, and all without extra set-up or monthly service fees,” says Jeff Hastings, Pinnacle Systems’ general manager, in a release. “Not only can customers use PCTV To Go to access and watch their home TV from anywhere in the world, they can also control features remotely, such as changing TV channels, video sources, and programming on their DVRs.”

PCTV To Go enables users to watch full-resolution MPEG-2 video when viewing television using a home network, or watch high-quality MPEG-4 video from remote locations via the Internet. The PCTV To Go enables users to control their television’s features remotely—including changing channels, switching to different video sources, and controlling a set-top box or home DVR system. Video and live TV can be paused and rewound, and the PCTV To Go player software can record video programming on a local system. PCTV To Go also acts as a television source within a wirelessly connected Media Center PC offers integrated support for Windows XP Media Center, enabling users to set up a Media Center system at a location far away from the TV source.

What the PCTV To Go won’t handle is HDMI; however, it does offer component, composite, and S-video inputs, with stereo audio support.

Unlike competing place-shifting products, the PCTV To Go doesn’t plug into an existing home network; instead, it communicates wireless with an existing network or wireless-capable PC via 802.11g wireless networking. The wireless capability makes installation simpler, avoids the need to locate an Ethernet hub or Internet router near their entertainment systems—although it looks like the unit also supports wired installation (the published specs aren’t entirely clear).

The PCTV To Go will be available in late November for $249.99; it requires Windows XP.