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Sadly this product has failed to impress us, with most issues revolving around the proprietary software bundle.
To install the drivers for the receiver (and remote) you have to install a complete driver package … with outdated forceware driver. There is no way around this as the product is not even properly listed on the Asus support site … well unless you use a generic ENGT220 Asus driver from months ago (Forceware 191, not 197). We would want to see a seperate install for the receiver functionality.
Without trying to gloss over it, the software package is shockingly bad and just doesn't deliver the end user a comfortable, intuitive experience. It is basically a remote control ‘front end' for your ordinary media player and puts me in a position where I really can't recommend it to any of our readers. Having a dedicated transcoding option which basically just ‘links' to a trial version of Cyberlink software was just the icing on the cake.
The light sensor is also flawed, frequently I could experience shifts in colour and brightness which became distracting on our 600hz Panasonic Plasma screen, I ended up removing the Asus software completely, disconnecting the USB based sensor and just running the card with updated Forceware drivers. I would understand this more if I was using it in a room with fluctuating light, but I wasn't. Thinking it might be a bad install, we unfortunately verified the issues on another system.
What solutions have Asus got? they can either ditch the buggy, unfinished software or get it fixed. I am all for cool gimmicks but only if they bring something viable to the table to enhance the user experience. Bravo Media Center fails on all levels and I am quite sure most people expect a full media experience, rather than a quirky front end for media players already installed on their system. It actually reduced functionality of Windows Media Player in our testing, failing completely to work with MKV files.
The card itself is a solid product and I really liked it, the power drain is low, the performance is decent and it doesn't generate a lot of heat which is ideal in a small form factor chassis. It is a much better option than the Nvidia 210 series, which we feel is totally underpowered for any real world use.
In the UK now the card is around the £65 mark which is comparible to a reference design with faster clocks. If you want a silent version of the card however, this is the one to get, just do yourself a favour and run it natively without any of the Asus software installed.
KitGuru says: Remove all the optional junk, charge £10 less and this would score much higher. The card is solid, the bundle isn't.
Discuss in our forums over here or just leave a quick comment below
Wow that software looks bad. the card seems good though, I like the cooler, seems powerful enough for the situation to handle without fan
Very detailed and fair review I think. the card seems solid for media work but the bundle might end up annoying quite a few people.
Interesting product and quite competitively priced. Certainly isnt for gaming, being an underpowered 220. temps are good and no noise is a bonus. ideal for a bedroom environment.
Well, not the usual perfect product on KG then, seems we have a semi winner, but if they removed all the junk. Wonder if they will sell the card on its own, bound to drop the price a bit.
Seems pretty much of a turd of a product. Id like to see a review of the Sapphire HD5550. bet its better.
Nvidia boards arent ideal for media, I think ATI have the edge. dont you ?
Thanks, just finished my daily KG news and reviews lunch break 🙂 Id still buy that card to be honest, the hardware seems decent and it looks wicked.
Asus software has ALWAYS been crap, no doubt about it.
good review, seems fair and all points covered. I actually just bought this for my media center as I have a really old Nvidia board in it and the fan is starting to omit a noise.
Wont have this issue 🙂
IT doesnt actually seem that bad when you look at the product overall. the software sucks, and its a shame its such a big focus for Asus cause the card would have scored higher otherwise. Liked the intro Z, didnt know you were into bikes.
I think that is seriously one of the fucking most cool looking silent boards ive seen, its almost Zalman like by design. Shame about the software but its not the end of teh world, shame they dont sell a straight card version. If you are making a media center at least do it right, that just seems like a remote control, front layer. rather than a suite.
Im quite surprised Asus didnt actually borrow the code of Windows Media Player and just ‘plug into it’ from the front end. It seems quite messy the way they have their own suite popping up and minimising into the task bar. Not sure what they were thinking really, thats a little bit surprising
I liked that review, balanced, good intro, nice testing. fair result. Its not a bad card really, just a shame the suite sucks balls.
It’s not worth buying. Pure and simple.
Give em a few months to create an ATi version and maybe it will be ok.
ATI do generally make better media cards, its pretty well known. something like the 5550 would be wicked.
BRAVO 220 SILENT/DI/1GD2(LP)
Experience Visual Enjoyment in a New Light!
– ASUS Exclusive 0dB thermal solution: enjoy a silent environment no matter playing game or watching movies – ASUS Exclusive Splendid plus: with ambient light sensor to fit different user scenario – ASUS Bravo Media Center: with remote controller for easy entertainment access – Up to 21% power savin
http://in.asus.com/product.aspx?P_ID=HLK4Pmu9lXkm0Q8o&templete=2