USB TV Freeview Adapter- views please

S

skribla

Geek Trainee
I just saw this Freeview adapter (USB) on the internet: http://www.pcnextday.co.uk/product_detail.asp?stype=5&productcode=1513-2115&group=TVT&pgroup=

I just wondered what your views, are- does it look good? It appears to have everything I want ie remote and the ability to watch and record two different channels.

Also, does anyone know what the reception is like on these things. I don't have a aerial socket near to where I will be plugging the box in so the reception will probably come from a indoor aerial.

Cheers all
 
Indoor reception is harder to get than a good external, but this can be overcome with a good indoor aerial. To check you'll get good reception, you might want to buy a decent aerial first and plug it into a TV and check that the picture is crisp.

The device itself looks ok.
 
An indoor area will be fine for Freeview as long as you are in a strong signal area. I'm using a cheap indoor ariel i bought of the market, and it works fine for Freeview

I am not familiar with the brand of that TV card (infact it looks generic, I can't find the brand name). I ONLY use Hauppauge hardware to watch Freeview through my PC. Hauppauge were one of the first companies to bring digital TV to the PC.

If you are using a laptop, then you should check out Hauppauge's USB Card. If on the other hand, you are using a desktop PC, i'd recommend you get an internal PCI card. I'm using the Nova-T PCI and it's great.

All the details are here:

http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/pages/prods_digital-t.html

You could probably pick either one up for as little as £50. I know it's more money then the one you've suggested, but you are paying for quality.
 
i will probably be using it on a desktop PC but if i got to uni then I will probably want it for my laptop.

I am also taking in to account that I have never installed a PCI card myself and so don't want to risk damaging/ voiding the warranty on my new computer.

can you telll me if it will void the warranty and also, how simple it is to install a PCI card- if you can give me any links to instructions then that would be great!
 
Installing a PCI card is much more simple then it sounds. It litterally plugs into a slot (like you would slot in a game cartridge in a Megadrive or N64).
 
To install a PCI card its pretty simple. the basic steps are:
Always make sure you've grounded electrically, either use an anti-static wristband or touch your case/power supply before you ahdnel electronics
Open up the case
find an empty PCI slot
Take out the empty bracket
firmly press the card into the slot and make sure theres good contact
Close the case
Start PC, use the driver CD to install the drivers for it in windows
 
Addis said:
Always make sure you've grounded electrically, either use an anti-static wristband or touch your case/power supply before you ahdnel electronics
Click to expand...

This is very important. I've lost quite a lot of hardware because of ESD. It's best to work on a computer while wearing shoes, and away from carpet.
 
I have tested the signal on my Tv downstairs that has Freeview and for the external aerial it is saying that I have a strong signal.

Is there anyway that I can test how good my reception will be upstairs with an indoor aerial without buying one and plugging it into the TV? If I get a bad reception I won't be able to take the aerial back!

Also, if you know any good aerials for indoor use that will optimise reception/ or if you recomend using one in conjuction with a signal booster then could you please post some links.

Cheers all!
 
Generally speaking, the higher you are, the better the signal you are likely to get. You will probably find the reception in your room to be better then the reception downstairs. I live in a strong signal area, and all I use is a 'cheap and tacky' indoor ariel for Freeview.

If you are interested in 'powered' ariels, check out some of Philips's indoor ariels.
 
do powered aerials get a better reception than normal aerials? or are they just aerials with a booster built in
 
skribla said:
do powered aerials get a better reception than normal aerials? or are they just aerials with a booster built in
Click to expand...

That's exactly what they are, but the reception they give you is twice as good as a standard ariel.
 
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