TVTool

Note: The app is no longer supported, so it is now impossible to purchase the application. Nonetheless, you can still download it from Softpedia and use it with the limitations listed on this page

TVTool started off as an initiative to replace the poor support provided by video card manufacturers for TV-Out. It accomplishes this task by adapting the TV output on nVidia graphics cards in order to provide full control over the TV mode.

The principle it works upon is complex and includes a number of operations that normally cannot be performed manually. In short, it programs the TV chips in order to facilitate adjustments to various TV parameters.

TVTool works with nVidia chipsets exclusively and requires that the nVidia graphics card driver be installed on the system prior to its deployment. However, the support for TV chips is restricted to just a few models: BT868, BT869, CX25870-5, CH7003-7008, SAA7102, SAA7104, SAA7108(A) and MV.

Due to the fact that it manages to access the hardware directly, TVTool is able to provide users with a rich set of features that include fullscreen without black borders, as well as high-quality playback in natural DVD resolutions.

Other highlights include seamless soundcard control, picture resizing, one-click playback, as well as adjustments for colors, flickerfilter, contrast, window zooming and the possibility to set hotkeys for various operations.

Another attractive feature is the infrared remote control, which works with TVTool Sconi (this is a USB infrared receiver) in order to allow you to control your TV in the same way you do with your CD player for instance.

In conclusion, working with TVTool is a pleasure. It provides you with a generous set of features for controlling your TV in the most comfortable way. By programming the TV chips, it allows you to perform playback adjustments that otherwise wouldn’t be possible.