TV sticks - anyone know if they are any good?

alisont

Until today Id not heard of these tv sticks, does anyone have one or know about them?

Id be interested in getting one to use with my netbook for when Im on holiday etc but wondring if they are any good?

Seen this one for example - http://www.tvstick.co.uk/home.asp

Im guessing you need a very good mobile internet service to pick up the channels?

Any info gratefully recieved - thanks Alison

norbet

alisont wrote: »

Until today Id not heard of these tv sticks, does anyone have one or know about them?

Id be interested in getting one to use with my netbook for when Im on holiday etc but wondring if they are any good?


Im guessing you need a very good mobile internet service to pick up the channels?

Any info gratefully recieved - thanks Alison

No need for internet to use these - they connect to an aerial and pick up the signal that way (in a similar way to a freeview tv or set top box).

In my experience tho - the supplied aerials are only for use in very strong signal areas - anywhere else and they're just not good enough.

If you're going abroad on hols I'm not sure that a UK spec device would work (though I may be wrong).
N:

cowbutt

UK Digital TV (aka 'Freeview') uses the DVB-T standard, which is widely used around the world, especially in Europe: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVB-T#Countries_and_territories_using_DVB-T.5B2.5D

scotsbob

Like any receiver they are only as good as the aerial. The built in aerial is ok for very strong signal areas, elsewhere you need to connect to another aerial. You can use them abroad.

alisont

Thanks - Im mainly thinking of UK use as we are going to the New Forest coastal area in July and be useful to watch certain programmes then.

If used indoors would they pick up the signal from the house aerial?

Would not use it at home just whilst on travels/hols in UK.

Must check if Its gone digital and has a strong signal in the New Forest (Lymington) area, I know Dorset has now just gone digital.

Ive not got a dvd drive on my netbook but could copy the drivers/disc to a memory stick off main pc for set up.

macman

alisont wrote: »

Thanks - Im mainly thinking of UK use as we are going to the New Forest coastal area in July and be useful to watch certain programmes then.

If used indoors would they pick up the signal from the house aerial?

Would not use it at home just whilst on travels/hols in UK.

Must check if Its gone digital and has a strong signal in the New Forest (Lymington) area, I know Dorset has now just gone digital.

Ive not got a dvd drive on my netbook but could copy the drivers/disc to a memory stick off main pc for set up.

No, the house aerial is a receiver, not a transmitter.
But the FAQ's say you can connect to a larger aerial, using the supplied adaptor.

scotsbob

alisont wrote: »

If used indoors would they pick up the signal from the house aerial?

If you mean by plugging your aerial into it then yes that works. In fact I find when I use my laptop upstairs I can use it's own built in earial. When downstairs (presumably weaker signal lower down) then I need to connect my loft aerial.

Incidentally, the sofware that comes with these usually includes the facility to use your hard dive as a PVR so you can record programmes onto your hard drive, pause live tv etc.

djohn2002uk

macman wrote: »

No, the house aerial is a receiver, not a transmitter.
But the FAQ's say you can connect to a larger aerial, using the supplied adaptor.

Who's talking about a transmitter?
The site says you can connect it to your roof aerial which is what the OP asks.
Quote:- "Additionally the TV Stick package includes an adapter for use with a larger aerial (Set top or Rooftop)"

So your 2 sentences contradict each other.

macman

djohn2002uk wrote: »

Who's talking about a transmitter?
The site says you can connect it to your roof aerial which is what the OP asks.
Quote:- "Additionally the TV Stick package includes an adapter for use with a larger aerial (Set top or Rooftop)"

So your 2 sentences contradict each other.

The OP seemed to be under the impression that the built in aerial would somehow receive a signal 'retransmitted' from the external aerial, i.e. without a cable connection-at least that's how I read it.

alisont

Sorry for any confusion - today's the first day Id heard about these and was hoping they would work on my netbook whilst Im on holiday in the UK.

Im not sure If Id need an additional aerial to get a good signal/picture, Im not the most tech minded:o

Thanks for all the info - sounds like it might be worth me getting one of these.

jon_r_2

I use one,with very good results but unlike the old analog tv signal digital requires a really good aerial, preferably on the roof,or at least outside,if using it plugged into an indoor aerial it may work ok,but your picture will go 'blocky' if say someone walks past it!