michael Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I'm considering a USB TV tuner for someone who has a laptop but can't get control of a shared TV - are they any good? Freeview coverage in the area is good but would something cheap and cheerful like the link below do the job? http://www.cclonline.com/product-info.asp?product_id=4072&category_id=609&manufacturer_id=0 Can you get any software to add SKY+ style recording to the party? Any recommendations for products or better still does anyone have one collecting dust that's functional but surplus to requirements? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitesupraboy2 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 I got one for my mum to be honest it was poor. But the signal around here isnt the best and the house has some powerfull boosters. I wonder if there is a website showing signal strength in areas across the country that would give you a good idea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 7, 2007 Author Share Posted November 7, 2007 I wonder if there is a website showing signal strength in areas across the country that would give you a good idea. The Freeview side if it isn't an issue - the sky is full of healthy signals, I'm more concerned at how good these little USB things are at picking them up Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitesupraboy2 Posted November 7, 2007 Share Posted November 7, 2007 the one I got did pick up the channels ok, you just had to move it to a new position for each channel. I guess due to the different frequencies. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thorin Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Aren't you supposed to be working, not sat watching TV? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 The one i have works great when its plugged up to the antenna in the loft. Its not so good when used with the little magnet antenna thing that comes with it. They are good at picking up the signal but they do need a decent aerial. Scott =op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pete Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 We had one in the showroom to try. It was great.... when connected to a house outdoor aerial. I'm sure that little antennae is great if ok at the top of a block of flats. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 Think the little aerial is designed for caravan's. WHen i get my "carputer" all set up in the car i'm going to use my usb receiver. Hopefully it will be ok in the car. Scott =op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 It's for use in a location with no aerial on the building, feedback from elsewhere suggests the little one doesn't work very well, I wonder if a compromise might be to use a portable type aerial that's capable of getting freeview? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scott Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 They aren't expensive so it would be worth a go but i would get a small booster aeriel out of Argos if you can use a power point. Argos has the 14 day money back guarantee so that would mean you wouldn't be out of pocket for it if its useless. Scott =op Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Good plan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ivan Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 WHen i get my "carputer" all set up in the car i'm going to use my usb receiver. Hopefully it will be ok in the car. Scott =opGood luck. Have a good read and checkout other peoples experiences on mp3car.com before wasting any money... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian C Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I got one of those for my laptop but the only machine in the house it'd work on was my main desktop - frustrating as I specifically wanted to use my main desktop while watching shite, er I mean TV. Even then, on the main PC, the sound was terrible and the framerate was poor, and the software felt almost windows 3.11 level. And that was with the house aerial plumbed in. In conclusion, it was a waste of money as it cost £40 + another £15 on a USB2 PCMCIA card for the lappie and it never worked right. -Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 *makes purchase* Or perhaps not... a chap at work has one, I'm trying to borrow it to see what it's like, he says the standard aerial is donkey balls, it's fine on the house one but the software is crap... so about the same feedback as everyone else. Maybe I'll just get them a DVD rental subscription Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jake Posted November 9, 2007 Share Posted November 9, 2007 I've got one here you can have, Michael. Our lad used to have one on his PC which he used all the time. Suddenly it stopped working so I bought another one, which also didn't work. So I phoned the company to complain and they sent me yet another. Which also didn't work on his PC! Anyway, I have a spare one if you want it. £0.00 plus VAT to you my son. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael Posted November 9, 2007 Author Share Posted November 9, 2007 Jake, you are a god amongst men! I can't recall where we are with the favours owed but I owe you one for this Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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