Introduction

Change is good, and that is exactly what we thought when Compro Technology contacted us to see if we could do something together. And that is exactly what we did. Compro Technology is the leading company to develop and market PC graphics and multimedia products. With highly motivated and experienced engineers, innovation is the main focus at Compro. They combine the latest hardware and software technologies to provide outstanding quality products on the rapidly evolving PC and multimedia market. Founded in 1988, Compro initially focused on the OEM business by its excellent engineering and manufacturing skills to produce high quality products. Some years later they started with the launch of their own VideoMate PC graphics products, a complete line of 3D graphics cards with abundant video features.

Throughout the years Compro has put a high focus on high-end TV cards and USB boxes with superior picture quality and powerful features. Including since some years a whole new digital TV product line from PCI digital TV cards, USB digital TV boxes to the most convenient hybrid digital and analog TV cards to fulfill customers' needs in the digital world. In addition, Compro released several mini-size USB digital and analog TV boxes and card bus interface products to provide better mobility and picture quality for laptop PC users. Integrated Compro's hardware and software specialists and exclusive technologies, Compro will continue to provide the best video quality robust products to market and make each PC user enjoy the excellent quality of TV experience. With innovative Compro products, you will never miss your favorite TV shows...

As graphics and video enthusiasts, we are always on the lookout for video capture solutions that offer the features and quality we crave at an affordable price. Unfortunately, a majority of them come at a hefty price. There are only a handful of products on the market that will offer you a well balanced combination of performance and features without setting you back a few hundred dollars. And that is something that Compro can offer with their extensive line of TV tuner cards, coming at a different price tag and features to choose from. Their range is quite large that anyone looking for a TV tuner or capture solution should be able to find it within the Compro products. And then the choice is up to you, to pick which product fits best for your own application or needs.

Since it is our first time with Compro we gotten an offer we couldn't refuse. With the VideoMate TV Gold Plus II card we got a decent analog TV and FM tuner with a full scale of recording features at an excellent price tag. Although it is a not so new product, it bears the certified for Windows Vista label and the exclusive Power Up technology of Compro. The VideoMate TV Gold and Gold Plus received wide acclaim on discussion boards for its superb picture quality. And the VideoMate TV Gold II and Gold Plus II again raise the bar for video picture quality to a new level. Compro Picture Purifying technology can be found in the VideoMate TV hardware and ComproPVR software.

Main Features

• Watching TV in a Window or Full Screen Mode
• FM Stereo Radio with MP3 Recording
• Power Up Scheduled Recording for TV and FM
• Remote Controlled Power On/Off Function
• Remote Control for TV Watching, Recording and FM Listening
• Split Recording File Size Settings for Different Media
• Pause while Recording to skip the Commercials
• MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4 Recording and Playback
• Capture Video, Edit and Author DVD or VCD Titles
• Supports Stereo, SAP, NICAM, CC, Teletext
• Straight-to-Disc Function to Direct Burn your Favorite Shows
• Hotkey for Still Frame and Continuous Screen Captures
• Create, Edit and Use your Favorite Channels List
• Timeshift to Pause and Instant Replay Live TV

The VideoMate TV Gold Plus II is not just a TV card, no it handles stereo TV and radio, acts as programmable video recorder, records media files through an external source and it will even boot up your PC when you program the software to record a TV show. An absolutely fantastic device. To complement the product we will find a nice remote control along with the card from which you can choose channels, options, software and one button recording. So far so good, having a great list of features and options available to meet the various expectations. But what did we really get from Compro, and how does that look in terms of the package and the bundle?

The Compro box comes with some plastic shrink wrap around it. So we had to remove the plastic covering first. This is an extra protection to the package as a whole. The box itself details very clearly the product that you are buying as well as the main features. The box is of high quality with mainly blue colors and the Compro logo at the top. What you will notice also are the various extra information details provided on the box, either printed or with some extra stickers. The VideoMate TV Gold Plus II has as well been certified for Windows Vista, which is clearly mentioned on the box with by a sticker that was applied afterwards. A quite detailed first impression by just looking at the front, but that can only be of great help when picking the right TV tuner from the shelf.

Turning the VideoMate box around we find out even more details on the product enclosed. Detailed in about seven languages you get the key features spelled out on the back with the contact details of Compro Technology. Further checking the box reveals also some more information on the sides that might come in handy upon purchase of the VideoMate TV Gold Plus II, like the system requirements and package content in terms of hardware, cables and software solutions. All these add up in the first impression of the Compro VideoMate package, a very detailed and professional box. As far as the box goes, it certainly is very attractive...