Abridged version
For my purposes (cheap alternative to the outrageously expensive hard disk recorders) to the TV stick is ideal. Even for beginners easy to make the conversion of files into more compressed formats with (in my opinion) good end result. In order from time to time in order to look at the PC / TV Läppi enough it also. As a permanent solution or a use in HTPC I would recommend for the mentioned reasons / weaknesses (long switching times and fiddly little remote control) under certain conditions. The software or the stick still has some more interesting possibilities that I do not need special mention would be here in my opinion, streaming TV to the network or to mobile devices, recording of analog video signals.
Scope of supply:
Hardware
The TV stick comes with a DVB-T table antenna, a USB extension cable (very practical because the TV stick is already slightly wider), a remote control and some adapters to feed analog audio and video signals.
Software:
There is a CD with drivers and on which the latest version of PCTV (new as on the manufacturer's website) are.
Test
Periphery
For my purposes I needed so far neither the DVB-T antenna or the included adapter to receive analog signals. By the by, this no vote.
The remote control is small and a bit fiddly, but fulfills its purpose. Except once unpacked and angetestet I have so far but not used. Overall, it makes (for the size) a quality impression and the stick reacts quite well to inputs. To watch TV in the long run seriously via PC but not good for the remote control in my opinion, but it is just too small.
Installation
I have first downloaded and installed the latest drivers from the manufacturer home page. Then I installed the PCTV software from CD. Really cool would be here an internal memory in the embroidery on the most current software + drivers would also be kept. So could the stick (to lug around without the driver CD) on any PC running. After this was completed, connected Stick with attached cable television on a laptop. The stick was immediately detected and installed.
After PCTV angeschmissen and the software performs the configuration and tuning. The channel scan takes about 30 minutes if I remember correctly (but have not timed it) -> Tata 276 (of which 132 are unencrypted) found (digital) channels (M-net optical fiber TV) while the public broadcasters available in HD.
To use all codecs use etc. is an activation or registration of the software using the supplied activation code required.
The installation work in one go without any problems, stress this only because I have read in other reviews sticks often problems (when installing the driver, tuning).
Television
As already mentioned, I use the stick almost exclusively to record broadcasts. The image quality would I evaluate as Otto normal consumer TV as well and compared to my HD TV. There are also a few options such as. H.264 hardware acceleration and switching between different video rendering EVLT. Can you pick something out here. But if I have not tested since I was satisfied from the start and I with the matter not even know much about soo good.
Switching between channels takes unfortunately partially up to 3 seconds in order to zap through the programs a bit too sluggish, but my 3 year old TV is not much better off, is possibly also to the digital image transfer.
However, it is possible from the available channels to create a favorite list in which the station order can be chosen freely.
There is an Electronic Program Guide (EPG) from which also recordings can be planned - virtually>. Unfortunately, this (EPG) is designed very confusing and the program overview shows only the current and the next program to (or about 3-4 hours in advance).
Recorder function
As mentioned earlier recordings from the EPG can be planned, stations and movie titles are stored in the same file name. Anyone who wants to plan his shots with more than 4 hours in advance must lend a hand. The menu for this is made very simple and clear, and no one should imagine problems. You can also click directly from the TV interface on the red pick-up point.
The recordings are in MPEG-2 format (as far as I have understood correctly almost Lossless) saved (60 min ~ 2GB). In the PCTV gallery recordings can then, for example. be converted to DivX (60 min ~ 1.3GB), but it takes sometimes quite long. DivX (Home Theater Preset) files are a bit worse on the quality but even very presentable on my HD TV still!
Tip of me with Free Video Dub can the commercial breaks rausschneiden without the DIVX file to re-encode.
The quality of the recordings of analog signals I can not judge, as not proven. However, in principle it would be possible VHS cassettes or DVD collection to digitize legally (if I should therefore be wrong am I me of feedback) too easy just to create backup copies or because his (n) favorite DVD (s) happy times would look at the tablet on the train.
Other software features such as: time-shift or television signal to mobile devices streaming I've not needed and therefore not tested.