 SnapStream
PVS, Personal Video Station software plus Streaming Video Server
By: Chris Kaminski
Date: Sep 11, 2001
Version: 1.5
Download SnapStream PVS 2.0 ($49.99)
Regular readers of HomeNetHelp
know that I have been looking for network enabled products for the home
computer user. When SnapStream told me about their streaming video server
I jumped at the opportunity to review it and I will forever be glad that I
did. At under $100 with the PCI video tuner, this is something almost
everyone can afford. Read on! 
 SnapStream PVS (Personal Video
Station) is a software program that, at its heart, interacts with a video
tuner card and lets you
record TV shows, movies, etc. It has a great scheduler, user selectable
recording quality levels and user selectable compression codecs. In
addition, SnapStream is both web server and streaming video server for
your home ‘intranet’. The SnapStream application is accessible using a
standard browser (like Internet Explorer) from any PC on your network.
When a video is selected for playback, SnapStream ‘streams’ the video out
over your home network. Lastly, by punching a couple of holes in your
firewall and enabling SnapStream security, your streaming video server can
be accessible from the Internet over your cable or DSL modem!
Along with standard PC’s, SnapStreamPVS
also supports PocketPC computers with its PocketPVS Software.
Have Satellite instead of cable? Snapstream PVS
supports serial port interfacing to RCA and Sony set-top boxes for channel
tuning too!
Windows XP Support
“Under Windows XP, SnapStream supports family
members making their own private TV recordings and it allows TV
shows to be burned to CD for portability and archival. And with the
stability of Windows XP, consumers can rely on their favorite TV
shows getting recorded for weeks and months without interruption.”
-- Rakesh Agrawal, SnapStream CEO and co-founder
 Packages
If you already have a video tuner card, the
Snapstream software can be purchased as a stand-alone product for $49.99.
A bundle is also offered that includes a Hauppauge WinTV tuner card for
$89.99. The PocketPC module is an extra $29.99
My take
The $90 SnapStream combo package is a
fantastic deal. Not only has the software already exceeded my
expectations, a new version promises to integrate on-line program guides!
The next hot item in the home computer world will be real time video
recording and processing and this is a great way to get started. I have a
feeling the SnapStream setup will be a popular Christmas gift this year
(buy early!)
Remember, this is a real time
video encoding and playback system. Dont expect to encode flawless
video at if you only have a Pentium II or less. I would personally
recomend a P3 for the SnapStream server.
Download
SnapStream PVS 2.0 ($49.99)
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