Review Ten years ago, investing in a PC TV tuner seemed a neat way of watching while you work – integrating the gogglebox with laptop or Desktop duties. Today, the idea is more questionable given access to on-line video streaming and download services from the likes of YouTube and the BBC iPlayer respectively.
PCTV’s Nanostick T2: for those with an HD habit
So why should you fork out £80 PCTV Systems’ NanoStick T2 USB tuner when your web browser gets more channels? One good reason is that if you’re on the move and you miss your telly, then using a dedicated tuner, rather than streaming, isn’t going to cost you dearly for mobile data usage. Another plus point is that the Nanostick is a rather rare beast among portable tuners, as it is capabable of receving Freeview HD channels. Read the rest of this entry »
Review Elgato’s previous EyeTV DTT Deluxe, which we reviewed in September 2008, was heralded as the world’s smallest USB TV tuner. Just over a year on, and the company has launched a second record breaking tuner – one that’s about half the size of its predecessor.
Elgato’s EyeTV DTT Deluxe: ridiculously small
And there’s another first: this is long-time Mac specialist Elgato’s first product to ship with full support for Windows users, specifically Windows 7 drivers for out-of-the-box Media Center compatibility.
First, though, the hardware. The new DTT Deluxe takes up less room in the box than the wrapped pair of AAA batteries used to power the Freeview-friendly remote control Elgato ships with the tuner. The tuner is barely bigger than its USB connector and while it’s not as tiny as the adaptors that come with many a wireless mouse, it’s still very small indeed. Read the rest of this entry »
