Technaxx DVB S4 USB Receiver

mjsmyth

I picked up one of the above USB receivers today in Peatsin Blanchardstown for €24.99, it was an impulse buy.

It comes with a small aerial that attached to a standard coax input. It also comes with Blaze DVB-T 4.0 software.

I installed the software, but to be honest, performance on the Acer Revo was poor. I can only presume that the software does not take advantage of the nVidia Ion. Performance under Windows Media Center is excellent.

I really can't fault it for €24.99, it does exactly what it is meant to do.

mj

Bob_Harris

mjsmyth wrote: »

I picked up one of the above USB receivers today in Peatsin Blanchardstown for €24.99, it was an impulse buy.

It comes with a small aerial that attached to a standard coax input. It also comes with Blaze DVB-T 4.0 software.

I installed the software, but to be honest, performance on the Acer Revo was poor. I can only presume that the software does not take advantage of the nVidia Ion. Performance under Windows Media Center is excellent.

I really can't fault it for €24.99, it does exactly what it is meant to do.

mj

You can get similar on ebay for €12, or if you get lucky as low as €4 in an open auction.

mjsmyth

You can always find something cheaper on Ebay, but to be perfectly honest, I hate Ebay. I fell out with them once and have not gone back.

christo82

What can this receive?

watty

Depends where you live.

On border or South east coast, maybe the Freeview channels.

Most of Ireland: Soarview. Though for decent quality you need pretty good PC and even better Graphics and display that can do 1440x1080i 25fps Widescreen and 544, 704 and 720 x 576i 25fps Widescreen.

Service "soft launches" 31st October 2010
Content during late 2010/Early 2011 http://www.techtir.ie/watty/soartv
(Includes link to RTE word Doc and loads of Boards.ie posts)
2nd Multiplex late 2011/early 2012 and transition of more SD to HD TV content.

mjsmyth

I tried the Blaze software that came with the tuner on another PC today... It is still rubbish. It would appea that it needs a seriously good spec just to work on SD channels. Windows Media Centre performs fine with the tuner.

I guess Blaze will be consigned to my bin.

donaru

Hi mjsmyth,
I just picked one up in Parnell St today when I was in Dublin (not 8th of Dec shopping!). Anyway, back in the mountains of the SW and I find that the CD is not readable on any of my 3 machines and the Technaxx site has no DVB-S4 driver, just for the S3. Any chance you've come accross a site hosting the S4 software? I tried the S3 and MediaPrtal, Blaze and Media Center don't ecognise the device.
Any help appreciated,
Donaru

watty

The ONLY really good performance alternative to Windows 7 Media Centre I have found is the "Total Media 3.5"

If you don't have the correct BDA driver, then a USB DTT stick won't work with anything.
Take it back.

see
http://www.techtir.ie/reviews/mobidtv-dual-usb-dtt
and
http://www.techtir.ie/node/1003625

championc

donaru wrote: »

Hi mjsmyth,
I just picked one up in Parnell St today when I was in Dublin (not 8th of Dec shopping!). Anyway, back in the mountains of the SW and I find that the CD is not readable on any of my 3 machines and the Technaxx site has no DVB-S4 driver, just for the S3. Any chance you've come accross a site hosting the S4 software? I tried the S3 and MediaPrtal, Blaze and Media Center don't ecognise the device.
Any help appreciated,
Donaru

Do you still need the Software Drivers ? I could upload them onto Hotfile for you if you need them. I got one of these in Frankfurt yesterday for €15. The picture using Windows Media Centre is Excellent.

The aerial is a bit crappy. Can anyone suggest a small compact rabbit's ears aerial ? I would plan to use this when travelling in the UK.

watty

"true" Rabbit's Ears are VHF, maybe with a pathetic loop for UHF in the middle.

If using indoor for DTT you need this style UHF (Many variations)


You might want a 12dB to 18dB amp at the aerial and an extension cable to put it on a windowsill facing transmitter. Location makes a HUGE difference and the cable is always too short.

The only things better are real aerials in Attic or best is outdoor.
http://www.techtir.ie/radio-tv/uhf-aerials

championc

Is there any a bit more portable ?


C

watty

many versions of those the rear reflector pops off and stand pops off. I have one where foot pops off too.

Whole thing packs flat. Pops together

Anything smaller by definition is a much poorer aerial.

championc

Finally got to register the Blaze sortware (needed to run As Administrator in Win7). However, I missed nothing - it's all jumpy. Windows Media Centre is perfectly smooth and perfectly clear too.


C

mjsmyth

@donaru Apologies, I have no idea how I missed your post there.

@championc I too found the Blaze software to be complete rubbish. TV works well on Windows Media Centre / Win 7. Dump the Blaze software and stay with WMC.