USB TV Tuner for DTT - What do I need to look for?

homer911

I'm thinking of getting a USB TV Tuner for my PC to pick up the trial DTT signal. What do I need to look for to ensure compatability with the DTT signal? Or are they all the same and its down to the decoding software?

Thanks

syboit

I've one of these,

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=315276

does the job fine. The mpeg4 decoding part is done with software.

scath

syboit wrote: »

I've one of these,

http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=315276

does the job fine. The mpeg4 decoding part is done with software.

That one is MPEG2, so you would have to download software...

Cheaper and easier option is: http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=349755
It specifies both MPEG4 and 2 which means it'll work for both Freeview or Irish DTT when you are travelling to the UK. Also it seems cheaper. I may go and buy it myself.

Options also http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=452253 for cable and satellite though problem is the satellite has DVB-S and not DVB-S2.

Another option for DVB-T and DVB-C (DTT and UPC)
http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=444026 abit more expensive, but then compatible with Digital Cable and Terrestrial. It will probably be a few years before DTT and Cable switch to generation 2 (DVB-T2 and DVB-C2).

homer911

Hi Scath

I've done a bit more digging and come up with this thread

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055351225

Does the A815 work with Irish DTT?

Thanks

scath

Couldn't tell ya as I haven't that usb. Mine is a Adstech Dual usb mini stick. Got that working with DVB Viewer. Was able to download the Rar file at the time but its gone now and I can't seem to find the pre-install software. I dunno where to go from there as am not well up on. Its hassle to get these things working. If I was doing it again would just buy an MPEG4 compatible usb and have none of the problems.

syboit

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055605342

have a look at that thread, they mention alt-dvb and other free sources of software. you have to pay for dvbviewer, coreavc (h.264 codec)

Once your card is bda compatiable ( a standard for dvb cards etc etc), you can use programs such as altdvd,proddvd and dvbviewer without having to rely on the cards own software.
I use dvbviewer with my dvb-t and dvb-s2 cards so have all the channels in one listing.

homer911

Hi folks

Just to say that I got the Avermedia A815 - found a guy selling a second hand one on ebay

It works perfectly straight out of the box - I installed the Avermedia driver and AverTV software and did a channel scan just using the tiny aerial on the usb.

Great pictures, EPG and teletext

Jpmarn

I have a Haupauge HVR 900H USB stick and I am able to pick up Irish DTT service with it.