Freecom DVB-T USB Stick

[Scarlet Infidel]

Has anyone tried one of the Freecom Freeview USB stick first hand or heard any user feedback? It looks really cool but i cant imagine itd be the best tuner in a package that size, let alone for just under £50.

EDIT: it seems its only just out so i might not get much response. Also maybe i should have used the graphics forum instead. Oh well.

[Dougal]

Are there X64 drivers for it?

Can't find the support page for it on the freecom drivers?

[Scarlet Infidel]

Not sure, im still using my 32-bit s478 prescott. Im not sure if this is even properly released yet, i think i should research further.

[Dougal]

On the Freecom website it says stock not available untill 18-08-05

[Scarlet Infidel]

I know, but does that mean not released till then or they have run out of their first batches? I could check the individual sites for stock but ive gone off the idea now the wow factor is wearing thin.

[DavidM]

I am very tempted to get one of these from work when they come in ... but only if they make it MCE ready!

[prehensile]

Try it first, check out how it records will read some reviews. The best thing in the world is scrolling through the electronic program guide and clicking on everything you want to record and having record perfect. Try at and missed the software is bug-free ur in with a chance at a good experience

[davidstone28]

Signal quality is likely to the horrific with that antenna.

[DEViANT]

I bet you can hook up an external antenna with it. Freecom are a pretty reputable company so I doubt they'd release a half-arsed product.

Dabs have had it in stock since last week but it sells really fast.

http://www.dabs.com/uk/Search2/resul...=freecom+dvb-t

[DavidM]

It's ok... I know of somewhere else that will have them back in soon enough

[Byatt]

Bumping an old thread back up here - this looks like an ideal solution to my run-out-of-PCI-slots mythtv htpc, as it's supported by the linuxtv drivers.

Anyway, my question is as follows - what sort of CPU usage are people getting whilst using the device (and on what CPU, please)? I'm guessing that it basically dumps the mpeg-II stream on to the USB bus, so it shouldn't be too high (whilst noticeably higher than an equivalent PCI card), but I could really do with some concrete real world numbers to base a purchase of this on.

[trect]

A further bump, there's a review here, for those wanting to know more about the "stick" :

http://www.itreviews.co.uk/hardware/h824.htm

[Firejack]

.... what sort of CPU usage are people getting whilst using the device (and on what CPU, please)? ......

Right now watching BBC News 24 while I type I have between 15-30% CPU usage on my Athlon 64 3200+. Goes up to around 35% while recording.

Reception is very good. Even in particularly weak broadcast areas like I'm in now. Back home I have a perfect signal while plugged into the main house antenna while getting clear/usable reception on the portable antenna. On the move in a car for example the signal on the antenna is very weak and not useable.

Recording is easy to use and of good quality playback but only if you use the Freecom player to view the recording. VLC/WMP etc suffers horrible sync problems and jerky playback.

[autopilot]

Whats the remote like? I am looking to get one in a few weeks for my desk top (no more PCI slots left).

[rdbilly]

Yeh,got one of these Freecom DVB Sticks.It works well once sorted out.Had some trouble loading drivers but tried it on another PC with no bother. So I formatted the the PC and they loaded OK.The picture is great but make sure you use a good ariel.I wouldnt bother with the one provided.Also had problems while recording a program the thing stops recording when the signal drops too low.This seems to be solved now that I have downloaded an update driver with a cool new skin!

[autopilot]

I bought one and had to take it back. Terrible drivers (took my PC out many times and conflicted with virtually everything it could), rubbish aerial (a 10 year old portable one worked better), Advertised as magnetic but was a crap sucker that would not stick to anything, managed to get just ten channels in a strong signal area (using a roof to aerial), software looked like it was writen in VB by a 10 year old, EPG was a joke. Complete trash. Worth thing i have bought in years. Aviod.