I want a USB TV receiver!

Jarvissa

Please can someone give me some advice/recommendations!

I want to buy a USB TV stick thingy - that I can plug into my laptop and watch TV on.

I've read a few reviews on amazon but not that many have been written and they're all so conflicting! I was wondering if anyone could recommend a good one to get. Ideally under £70 (obviously the cheaper the better but not at the expense of quality!)

Features I need are:

1. to receive analogue channels (1 -5) and digital channels (also, could someone tell me if the anaolgue channels are beamed out digitally at all? will they ever be, if not?)
2. to be able to record programmes to my hard-drive.
3. The smaller the stick (and the aerial if I need one) the better.
4. It needs to be a decent, clear picture!

Many thanks in advance!

Lorian

> 1. to receive analogue channels (1 -5) and digital channels (also, could someone tell me if the anaolgue channels are beamed out digitally at all? will they ever be, if not?)

The regular 5 channels are transmitted on digital too. None of these stick will pick up analogue as well as digital.


2. to be able to record programmes to my hard-drive.

That's a feature of the software. Most USB sticks come with some (poor) software to do this. Try https://www.gbpvr.com for a nice PVR programme, which is compatible with many (but not all) receivers.

3. The smaller the stick (and the aerial if I need one) the better.

The "sticks" are mostyl tiny, but don't go expecting to receive anything much at all on a small indoor aerial unless you live right next too the transmitter. Digital really needs proper sized, properly aligned aerial.

4. It needs to be a decent, clear picture!

See 3. Basically with digitial you pretty uch get a good picture or no picture at all.

If at all possible find someone who has one you can borrow or DEFINITELY buy one from somewhere with a good returns policy.

Jarvissa

Thanks Lorien, that's a v.big help! :T

Unfortunately I don't know anyone who already has one so I'm going to have to buy one without trying it first - will be sure to shop at somewhere with a no-quibbles return policy!

Any advice on which make/model you'd opt to get?

Lorian

Jarvissa wrote:

Thanks Lorien, that's a v.big help! :T

Unfortunately I don't know anyone who already has one so I'm going to have to buy one without trying it first - will be sure to shop at somewhere with a no-quibbles return policy!

Any advice on which make/model you'd opt to get?

I just looked, and acutally I did find an anlogue and digital combined. Digital only would be (£20 or so) cheaper. but analogue might give you something to fall-back on.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Freecom-DVB-T-Hybrid-USB-Stick/dp/B000GK8AE2/sr=8-5/qid=1167161877/ref=sr_1_5/202-3889053-5519829?ie=UTF8&s=electronics

Good luck with the signal though, as I fear you will be disappointed without a big aerial.

Shawz

This looks to be quite good


Pinnacle PCTV USB Stick

£28.60

http://www.ebuyer.com/customer/products/index.html?action=c2hvd19wcm9kdWN0X292ZXJ2aWV3&product_uid=107378&_LOC=UK

Shawz

or this one


£65.59

http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10284945&pid=45&tid=279

Review here

http://www.pcpro.co.uk/buyer-reviews/81490/terratec-cynergy-hybrid-t-usb-xs.html?searchString=terratec+s+cinergy+hybrid+usb+xs

and here

http://www.pocket-lint.co.uk/reviews/review.phtml/1215/2239/cinergy-hybrid-usb-tv-tuner.phtml