Black Gold is an internal card that comes with an infra-red sensor and remote control. Usefully, it also supports hardware mpeg2 encoding and has an S-video socket for connecting a video or camcorder. As with Hauppauge's Nova-t, the card provides access to terrestrial free-to-air TV channels on the Freeview system.

Although we expected installation to be more complicated than with USB offerings, it's paramount that you install the Black Gold software before plugging in the PCI card. Put the card in first and at best it won't work, at worst you could have to re-install Windows. A small sticker provides a warning, but this needs to be spelled out in big letters on the packaging and on screen. You also need an Internet connection to enable the software.

This aside, things start to improve. Channel tuning is just a matter of following on-screen prompts, while a Media Player-style interface makes the bundled TV application more intuitive than most. The software supports recording in a variety of video and audio formats, but GTA doesn't offer digital teletext, interactive services or Now and Next information on this version. It provides timeshifting and is compatible with the net-based subscription electronic programme guide (EPG) Digiguide. You can download a 30-day trial, but manually scheduling recordings is straightforward.

Tests with both outdoor and indoor aerials were impressive, with much better performance than we expected on the latter. We'd have to say some channels didn't seem as crisp as with the Nova-t, but overall presentation was first class. GTA also provides a separate DVB radio player.

While it lacks polish in some areas, the Black Gold Digital TV is good value at £99. The hardware mpeg2 encoding for analogue video is also a major benefit.

Contact: GTA 01296 733 3268
www.gta-ltd.co.uk

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