Advantages: watch tv without a tv
Disadvantages: the software, weak reception

...heard on other web sites that some people have had problems viewing these files on other programs like Media Player, though I haven’t had this problem. I think it may be down to the type of CODEC installed (CODECs are software drivers that describe how to play the movie files). If you have this issue, try installing free CODECs packages like: http://www.free-codecs.com/download/KLiteCodecPack.htm The MPEG2 format is a standard, well known format, so you shouldn’t have this problem, but I don’t trust ArcSoft and their TotalMedia program. * ArcSoft’s TotalMedia * This is mostly a rant by me but I’ll try and write it on a practical level. To make the USB DVB TV Stick (or any TV-related hardware) work, you need software to run it to receive the TV signal. FreeCom gives you TotalMedia developed by a company called ArcSoft. Let... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Small, portable, cheap
Disadvantages: Supplied aerial is effectively useless, temperamental

...I got this DVB-T stick as the one of the cheapest digital receivers for my computer so that I could watch and record TV in my bedroom. Installation and setup are relatively straight forward, with autoscanning for all available channels being one click away. However, reception was not great, and there were a few problems. First, even though I brought and installed a brand new Digital Aerial for weak reception areas, although my reception isn't that bad (it works with other normal set top boxes perfectly), when watching certain channels the video and audio froze and restarted multiple times making the program unwatchable. Also certain channels were not available, such as channel 5 (some would say no great loss there), and some tuned in but when you turned over to them they didn't play the video, only audio. Second, installation... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Watching several channels at once.
Disadvantages: You may need a new aerial

...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... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Small design, useful for addition of another TV
Disadvantages: supplied aerial rubbish, supplied software not v good

...to pick up very minimal channels - only the very strong channels. So I bought an extension and coax aerial splitter to bring the main exterior aerial into the spare room - however the TV stick still had trouble finding the same channels as the digi box in the main lounge. I think the signal might be significantly improved when the digital switchover has gone through completely (although that's not until 2009!) Freecom have released DVB drivers to allow you to use the TV stick with 3rd party software (i.e. freeware or Microsoft Media Centre) which does allow you to use the stick with more user-friendly software but does involve a bit of faffing uninstalling the old drivers and getting the new universal ones. Overall though, not a bad little device for around £30, although you do need to be in a strong signal area and would benefit from