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Posted (edited)

I did a search through the forum for recommendations for a good value USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i but didn't see anything recent.

I've checked FeePay, dealextreme, statice and Crap-of-the-Day (Pinnacle 301e with shite reviews) and the usual sites but couldn't find anything definitive.

'CHOICE' reviewed a few but I wasn't impressed: http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?...iew+%26+compare

Anyone suggest a good value one, or a good review site?

(edited for grammar/spelling/clarity)

Edited by Islagiatt

Posted
I did a search through the forum for recommendations for a good value USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i but didn't see anything recent.

I've checked FeePay, dealextreme, statice and Crap-of-the-Day (Pinnacle 301e with shite reviews) and the usual sites but couldn't find anything definitive.

'CHOICE' reviewed a few but I wasn't impressed: http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?...iew+%26+compare

Anyone suggest a good value one, or a good review site?

(edited for grammar/spelling/clarity)

Posted

Define "genuine 1080i". This has nothing to do with the receiver. Digital receivers can all receive any of the channels including the HD 1080i channels. The difference is that playback of 1080i HD requires quite a bit more CPU power compared with the SD channels.

Choice is a bit of a waste of time if you ask me.

I'd recommend the Digital Now too at least to start. I have a Lifeview TV Twin USB and it works just fine recording two streams at once.

Linux or Windows? That can make a big difference too.

Posted
Define "genuine 1080i". This has nothing to do with the receiver. Digital receivers can all receive any of the channels including the HD 1080i channels. The difference is that playback of 1080i HD requires quite a bit more CPU power compared with the SD channels.

Choice is a bit of a waste of time if you ask me.

I'd recommend the Digital Now too at least to start. I have a Lifeview TV Twin USB and it works just fine recording two streams at once.

Linux or Windows? That can make a big difference too.

Hi Shonky and thanks for your reply.

Windows system used.

By 1080i I mean a device capable of outputting at this HD resolution.

Some cheaper devices claim a lower o/p resolution than 1080i and some people complain about sticks, etc they've bought which claim 1080i o/p but in actual fact aren't.

I'm really just after a recommended cheapish single HDTV usb type dongle which can provide HD resolution on one of my PC's dual 22" screens.

Posted
Hi Shonky and thanks for your reply.

Windows system used.

By 1080i I mean a device capable of outputting at this HD resolution.

Some cheaper devices claim a lower o/p resolution than 1080i and some people complain about sticks, etc they've bought which claim 1080i o/p but in actual fact aren't.

I'm really just after a recommended cheapish single HDTV usb type dongle which can provide HD resolution on one of my PC's dual 22" screens.

The main thing that affects whether a USB TV tuner device can support HDTV is related to whether it is a USB1.1 or USB2 device, a lot of older USB tuners out of China were USB1.1 and had issue with 1080i, etc. The second thing is drivers; if a device does not have BDA drivers, then basically it is not worth buying.

Some say you get what you pay for.......I'd say in some cases you get a lot less than what you pay for and in my view in certain cases what you'd be paying for is just trouble :)

Posted

To re-iterate, the device itself does not output a video signal. I think you realise that, it's just not really what you're saying.

However as renura has said, the real cheap early stuff may have been USB (version 1) only and that doesn't have enough bandwidth to transfer a HD stream. This would also affect SD channels if their bitrate was high enough - that doesn't happen in Australia though. Just make sure it says USB2

These days you'd be more likely to run in to problems decoding the HD signal if the machine is more than a few years old.

Posted
I did a search through the forum for recommendations for a good value USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i but didn't see anything recent.

I've checked FeePay, dealextreme, statice and Crap-of-the-Day (Pinnacle 301e with shite reviews) and the usual sites but couldn't find anything definitive.

'CHOICE' reviewed a few but I wasn't impressed: http://www.choice.com.au/viewArticle.aspx?...iew+%26+compare

Anyone suggest a good value one, or a good review site?

(edited for grammar/spelling/clarity)

Hello :D I,ve just purchased a usb dongle from HN for $30, it is a USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i & so far no problems with it or the software. It can pick up & record to disk HD, 10 ,7 , ABC , 9 ,SBS, NBN , PRIME as well as all SD chanels. It is a ARTEC T14BR. I hope you find one that works for you.

Posted (edited)
Hello :D I,ve just purchased a usb dongle from HN for $30, it is a USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i & so far no problems with it or the software. It can pick up & record to disk HD, 10 ,7 , ABC , 9 ,SBS, NBN , PRIME as well as all SD chanels. It is a ARTEC T14BR. I hope you find one that works for you.

Now you tell me!

I just ordered a cheapie from DX a few hours ago, for $24 delivered:

http://www.dealextreme.com/details.dx/sku.8325

But I would have preferred yours.

However I guess you can't have too many dongles.

Thanks & cheers.

Edited by Islagiatt

  • 6 months later...
Guest The_Phantom
Posted
Hello :D I,ve just purchased a usb dongle from HN for $30, it is a USB HDTV dongle with genuine 1080i & so far no problems with it or the software. It can pick up & record to disk HD, 10 ,7 , ABC , 9 ,SBS, NBN , PRIME as well as all SD chanels. It is a ARTEC T14BR. I hope you find one that works for you.

I have just purchased the Artec T14BR yesterday for ($40 from dealsdirect), however, I set the region to Australia and do a channel scan and it only picks up SBS, all 7 SBS channels perfect, but no local stations are found (i.e. Melbourne channels 7.9.10 & ABC).

How can I scan for my local stations?

Thanks

Guest The_Phantom
Posted
I have just purchased the Artec T14BR yesterday for ($40 from dealsdirect), however, I set the region to Australia and do a channel scan and it only picks up SBS, all 7 SBS channels perfect, but no local stations are found (i.e. Melbourne channels 7.9.10 & ABC).

How can I scan for my local stations?

Thanks

OK...I got back in the roof and re-terminated the coax in the splitter (after I hooked a TV and found the analogue reception was not 100%) and now it works fine and I can pick up 26 channels perfectly. BTW, mine did not come with an external antenna (and the packaging says that an external antenna not included but on the website it says that it does come with one: http://www.artectv.com/ehtm/products/t14.htm.

  • 4 months later...
Posted (edited)
OK...I got back in the roof and re-terminated the coax in the splitter (after I hooked a TV and found the analogue reception was not 100%) and now it works fine and I can pick up 26 channels perfectly. BTW, mine did not come with an external antenna (and the packaging says that an external antenna not included but on the website it says that it does come with one: http://www.artectv.com/ehtm/products/t14.htm.

Hi,

I am new to this and read your article. Thinking of buy one from Deals direct.com.au. What do you mean by re-terminated the coax in the splitter. I only have an internal antenna.

await your reply.thanks

Edited by pdf
  • 4 weeks later...
Posted (edited)

I recently got the Artec T14BR Mini Digital Receiver from Deals Direct after reading about it here.

After trying it on my new computer I found it wouldnt pick up any channels. So I went back to my old computer and it found 23 channels fine with the same aerial connection cord etc.

Old computer is Intel Pentium 4 CPU 2.40 GHz, 512 MB of Ram, running Microsoft Windows Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3, NIVIDIA Geforce MX 440

New computer is AMD Athlon 64 * 2 Dual core processor 5200+ 2.7 GHz 1.87 Gb of Ram, running Microsoft Windows Professional Version 2002 Service Pack 3, ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics

I have a modem and videophone running broadband via phone connection.

Is there anything I should be doing to pick up the same channels on the new computer?

Any help would be appreciated.

Simonsays...

Edited by Simonsays...
Posted
Hi,

I am new to this and read your article. Thinking of buy one from Deals direct.com.au. What do you mean by re-terminated the coax in the splitter. I only have an internal antenna.

await your reply.thanks

He went into the roof and checked that all the co-ax leads leading into the splitter when secure and/or renewed at the ends of those cables if required i.e new connector, tightening of the ends, etc, capise :D

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