FreeView HD on this USB stick ?

9designs2 · 30 Mar 2011 at 19:47

Can some tell me if this Compro U80 USB TV stick should support Freeview HD.... Arrived today from OcUK .... Works fine, but can't get HD in the Rugby Area.....

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=GX-025-CP&groupid=701&catid=1915&subcat=

BloodyL · 30 Mar 2011 at 20:30

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but:

1) Freeview HD uses DVB-T2

2) The only Freeview HD capable tuners available at the moment are the Pinnacle pctv Nanostick T2 290e USB dongle, and a internal card from Black Magic which I can't quite remember the name of.

9designs2 · 30 Mar 2011 at 20:43

Thanks for the info, I was starting to get that fear.... very misleading... "HDTV 1080i" and H.264 plastered everywhere..... Ok it's going back.

TALON1973 · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:24

BloodyL said:
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but:

1) Freeview HD uses DVB-T2

2) The only Freeview HD capable tuners available at the moment are the Pinnacle pctv Nanostick T2 290e USB dongle, and a internal card from Black Magic which I can't quite remember the name of.

this is what your thinking of mate

blackgold BGT3620

BloodyL · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:28

That's the one, cheers

9designs2 · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:30

Just place an order for the Nano Stick 290e, £54.99

..... Hope I will have better luck this time !

TALON1973 · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:33

9designs2 said:
Just place an order for the Nano Stick 290e, £54.99 ..... Hope I will have better luck this time !

the blackgold looks teh dogs tbh ... been eyign up myseld last 2 months for my media centre pc .. i prefer a card than a stick .. even tho it costs more

9designs2 · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:44

I have a collection old old cards, went for a stick this time so I can use it also on my laptop etc, or in different rooms around the house.
Thanks guy's for the info and recommendations.

BloodyL · 30 Mar 2011 at 21:48

Try not to run the 290e off a portable aerial and it'll be great.
It kept on crashing out on me while I was doing the rough tuning using a powered indoor jobbie, as soon as I plugged it into a roof aerial it worked perfect.

9designs2 · 30 Mar 2011 at 22:26

No worries, roof mounted aerial and a socket in each room

9designs2 · 8 Apr 2011 at 23:48

Nano Stick 290e up and running, after tracking down stock !! Seems pretty good so far, HD is working fine

.... Using the supplied software at present, haven't tried W7 Media centre yet.
Thanks BloodyL for the recommendation.

TALON1973 · 9 Apr 2011 at 22:13

glad your enjoying

i still havnt got mine yet ....i got to many fingers in pies atm ... buying a headphone amp

alex24 · 9 Apr 2011 at 22:15

What's the image quality like? Does it suffer nasty compression like most freeview channels?

9designs2 · 10 Apr 2011 at 08:38

Generally good, scaling up on a Dell 2407 with SD signal gives a few jaggies (Watching F1 on BBC 1) I also have a Nebula PCI card, often said to be the best card, which sadly doesn't work under 64 bit W7, or support T2..... Hence buying the Nano. I would asy they the Nebula is better, scales smoother.... Same as I don't see the same issues on the 50" Panny in the lounge either.

On HD signal it looks excellent, really crisp clean and sharp. Better than iPlayer HD downloads.

Next stage is to record some stuff and stream it to the TV down stairs or burn to disc....Just need more time to play with it..

alex24 · 10 Apr 2011 at 12:40

Thanks for the feedback, may well invest in one. Would love the Blackgold but it's a bit too dear.