Turn your PC into a Freeview PVR for £18

Former_MSE_Lawrence

What's the deal?

Web giant Play.com's selling a USB dongle which acts as a Freeview box for your PC. You plug it in, then plug an aerial into it, and you can (reception permitting) watch Freeview channels from the relative comfort of your office chair.

What's more, you can then use your computer's hard drive to record shows in advance, so you essentially get PVR (Personal Video Recorder) functionality for under £20.

• Pinnacle PCTV DVB-T USB Solo 72e dongle. £17.99 delivered.
  
  There are an awful lot of letters in the name, but the product's not as complex as it might appear. It gives you a full 7-day programme guide, the ability to pause live TV, and record shows directly to DVD to save precious hard drive space.
  
  It also includes a miniature aerial, but unless you happen to live next door to a huge DVB transmitter, this is unlikely to be sufficient. To get a consistently clear picture you'll probably have to tether it to a proper rooftop aerial, so it's not as portable as its physical size suggests.
  
  This dongle costs a couple of quid more than the absolute cheapest, but it has received good feedback. If you got a cheaper one which performs well please add it below and I'll put it in this post.

Does it work on Mac?

The software included with Pinnacle's USB Freeview dongle is PC-only, but the hardware's compatible with Elgato's EyeTV software for Mac OSX, which has excellent reviews but costs a fair whack. Still, if you can find somewhere to source it cheaply it's well worth considering.

Can I get Freeview?

Sadly, for all the hype about Freeview, up to 25% of the population still can't receive it, and yet more have troubled reception. The Freeview website's coverage checker should give you a rough idea of whether you can get it if you haven't already. Yet there's really no substitute for asking people who live nearby whether it works for them.

Do I need a TV licence?

Yep. While it may seem like by watching TV on your PC you shouldn't need one, the fact is that as you'll be watching live BBC broadcasts, you do. Read the TV Licences article for more info.

PS: Many thanks to MasterOfNinja for posting this on another thread

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sasenach

This is also available at the same price delivered on Amazon- don't forget nectar points. (only 3 left though so be quick!)

mse

Maplin sold similar for £14.99 and also available elsewhere for same price..

There were at lease 2 other threads about these thing since March 08.....

The ariel supplied with isn't that good there4 u won't get all the channels.

tomthebomb

Doesn't record in Div-x as claimed by OP.
The next one up does & also has a remote control (very handy) but costs another tenner.

http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3513331/Pinnacle-PCTV-DVB-T-Stick-Standard-72e-USB-DVB-T-Receiver-TV-Tuner/Product.html#http://http://www.play.com/PC/PCs/4-/3513331/Pinnacle-PCTV-DVB-T-Stick-Standard-72e-USB-DVB-T-Receiver-TV-Tuner/Product.html#

[Deleted User]

I had a USB TV Dongle a couple of years ago and the suppiled antenna is a complete joke. Only get one if you have an external rooftop aerial source near your PC or a good indoor aerial that you know receives good reception.

reaper200

Thanks for this.

So would someone be able to recommend a decent aerial at a decent price?

sweetcarer

Hi there

When I lived in temporary accomodation - block of flats with no outside ariel - I used this one from Argos. Didn't get all the channels but got quite a bit of them. They have two versions - the other one for about £10 more.

From Argos

One for all amplified indoor ariel - 534/3243 - £19.97

Details

• Analogue and Digital (Freeview) reception.
• Adjustable loop for optimal UHF, VHF and FM reception.
• Gain control dial.
• Mains connection required.

Hope it helps - intresting about using PC as a PVR.

Kind wishes

sweetcarer

geordie_lass_2

This works well on my sons computer, the software is compatible with XP and Vista too. He didn't try the supplied aerial, just plugged in the rooftop one and the reception is great. :j

He was just about to replace his bedroom TV as it was broken but this has saved him the expense and also freed up some space.

snougal1

I purchased a Tevion USB DVB-T Tuner for £19.99 from Aldi on Thursday 8th May they still had stocks yesterday. You get two aerials with this there is a small one and a magnetic one with a USB booster adapter to improve the reception, I have received Freeview using this upstairs in my house in an area that is not supposed to recieve freeview. You can record tv etc and have an EPG either through freeview or the internet. It also comes with a remote control and a 3 year warranty...

stixman7

What's the deal?

Web giant Play.com's selling a USB dongle which acts as a Freeview box for your PC. You plug it in, then plug an aerial into it, and you can (reception permitting) watch Freeview channels from the relative comfort of your office chair.

What's more, you can then use your computer's hard drive to record shows in advance, so you essentially get PVR (Personal Video Recorder) functionality for under £20.

• Pinnacle PCTV DVB-T USB Solo 72e dongle. £17.99 delivered.
  
  Do these plug and play? What I am asking is whether extra equipment is needed, as I have a fairly old in the tooth pc without adequate graphics/tv card? Or is everything complete within the softward and dongle?

bart786

this might be a better option. Its on the SVP email newsletter today for £9.99

http://svp.co.uk/product/atmt_digistick_usb20_dvb_t_(freeview)_receiver_44291


full spec cut and pasted from svp webite


ATMT DigiStick USB2.0 DVB-T (Freeview) Receiver

Receive, watch and record Freeview TV directly on your computer. This ATMT DVB-T USB reciever brings the world of Freeview digital television to your computer or laptop.

Simply plug directly into any spare USB2.0 slot, the device can either be used with the provided portable antenna or with your external home antenna, giving you free access to 39 TV channels and 24 radio stations. It also allows you to schedule the recording of your favourite shows, so you can watch them when you want.

Features:
- Fully compatible with DVB-T specification
- Adjustable antenna for dual-band (VHF/UHF) reception
- Ultra-slim design
- Stylish blue LED indicator
- One-key channel auto-scan
- Instant change of mulitlingual user interface
- Remote control with up to 6-metre operating distance
- Snapshot video and photo recording
- Time-shift, teletext and EPG
- Real-time 30fps MPEG-2 video capture

Specifications:
- TV tuner: 75 ohm (UHF/VHF)
- Receiving frequency: VHF 174-230 MHz, UHF 470-862
- Channel Bandwidth: 6 / 7 / 8 MHz
- Demodulation: 2k / 8k COFDM
- Constellation : QPSK, 16 QAM, 64 QAM
- Guard Interval: 1/4, 1/8, 1/16, 1/32;Code Rate (FEC) 1/2, 2/3, 3/4, 5/6, 7/8
- Power Consumption: 334 mA
- Dimensions: 89 x 28 x 10.5mm

Minimum System Requirements:
- Microsoft Windows 2000 SP4 / XP SP2 (recommended)
- Pentium III 1GHz or higher
- 256MB RAM
- Graphics card (DirectX 9.0c compatible)
- 1GB free HD space
- CD-ROM drive