Would you Adam and Eve it the review ratings are back
Would you Adam and Eve it the review ratings are back
Member since:30.11.2000
Reviews:514
Members who trust:314
With analogue TV on the way out it was time to get to grips with the TV future of our home. We have cable from Virgin Media but I was looking for a cheaper alternative and one that was perhaps a bit different from the usual freepay boxes.
I found such a device on riverstream.co.uk for a pricey sum of 16.97 plus 99p postage. It promptly arrived just 2 days later and I was keen to seen the outcome on my new computer.
Unfortunately everytime I tried to load the software which comes with the unit my computer crashed. Umpteen emails and a new device later and I was still no further forward. That was until recently my old computer was repaired by those lovely tech guys from Curry's. After going through the rather lengthy process of tattooing my hard drive being guided over the phone once again by those lovely tech guys.
Up and running I decided to try my old computer with the DVB T stick and lo and behold it worked. Still don't have a clue why this one never worked but anyway it was working.
The device is no larger than a cigarette lighter and comes complete with driver software and a tiny digital aerial which frankly is just for show since you really need a decent signal for the USB powered DVB T stick to work. Using the aerial provided I kept getting the No Signal message.
Installation and usage of the DVB is simplicity in itself, simply load the drivers plug it into a vacant USB slot and the viewing software automatically starts up. The next step is simply to scan and save channels and view at your convenience. The picture is quite good now although I may need to re-position my digital aerial for optimal picture quality. I can now work with my Office documents with a small TV screen window showing me my chosen channel.
The software enables the recording to your hard drive any program you wish and you can view several stations in a large window segmented to allow up too nine sreens at a time from which you can choose the one to view full screen. The software is virually idiot proof since each button is clearly marked with it's purpose.
If you do not have a current digital reviewing aerial then I'm afraid that the added expense of getting one erected well outweighs the savings made on your DVB purchase. In this case you are probably better of just buying a freeview box and connecting it directly to your TV input on your PC.
The software is not exactly primitive but I felt it might have looked a bit more professional, the unit itself is tiny so storage problems are non existent when it is not is use. All in all I pretty much got what I'd expect for an outlay of only £17. It's nice a gimmicky but it does not do exactly what is says on the box. A new aerial will cost around £100 fitted and it definitely will improve reception which is basically not there with the small pretty one provided.
I would not as far as to say I was disappointed or even unhappy with my purchase, I just perhaps expected a bit too much for my money, and on this occasion I didn't get the steal I thought I was getting. A nice little gadget but that's about it I'm afraid.
There are alot of these type of devices flooding the market just now so just beware you may end up having to cough up for a digital aerial and it's installation before you get even a hazy picture. I have checked the internet and apparently my area has a medium to strong digital signal so I would have expected just a little more from my new gadget.
Googling the digital strength in your area might be a good idea before you part with your hard earned, but whatever it's a neat gadget and I really quite like it.
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Good review, i might have to get one of these, my radio keeps cutting out only to recover the signal about 10 or so seconds later.
jesi 22.10.2007 00:46
not a gadget l'm likely to need with no TV but very well discussed ~ helpfully balancing who may or may not find it useful
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Coloneljohn 21.10.2007 12:09
Sounds interesting. I may get one of these to play about with. John
Technical DataInput Device / Input Adapter TypeDVB-T receiver / analogue TV tunerTechnical ... more
DataInput Device / Form FactorExternalTechnical DataVideo Input / Digital Video FormatMPEG-2Technical DataDimensions&Weight / Widthcm2.8Technical DataDimensions&...
Postage & Packaging: Free! Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
Oct 14th, 2007
very helpful by (100%):
