VisionDTV USB-Ter

[James Fee]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=159' target='_blank'>http://www.biosmagazine.co.uk/rev.php?id=159</a><br /><br /></div>"<i>The VisionDTV USB-Ter should be a mobile professional's dream because it allows you to watch free-to-air digital TV programs and listen to digital radio stations on the move. It also supports time-shifting, allowing you to record programmes when you are away from your computer. To make the product more TV-like, an infrared remote control and aerial are also provided. Unfortunately, the software is prone to crashing and the supplied aerial is useless. It also lacks support for HDTV/AC3 playback and subtitling teletext, and only supports real-time MPEG-2 compression, so you can rule out recording to AVI, DivX or VCD. The software's also prone to crashing and timeout errors. Used at home with a decent aerial and reception the VisionDTV USB-Ter works relatively well, but you're unlikely to be able to watch anything on the move, which defeats the key selling point of the device.</i>" <br /><br /> <img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/VisionDTV-USB.jpg" /> <br /><br />If you've ever wanted to watch over the air TV on your laptop, the VisionDTV would seem to be a great choice, but a poor reception capability and a lack HDTV support probably make this not the best solution.

[Filip Norrgard]

Is this a non-DVB tuner or :?:

I can see that a British company is behind this company, so does this mean that there is another digital TV format in the UK? DVB does not equal DTV by definition, but Digital Video Broadcasting does mean digital television. (I know, messy... :splat: )

Anyone care to enlighten me on the subject? ;)

[Filip Norrgard]

OK, I found the answer... :D

Apparently, the device is a DVB-T device, as I had a hunch about... :? Here's the device's homepage (possibly):
http://www.twinhan.com/visiontv-2_4.htm

However, it doesn't seem to be fully certified, as is claimed, since I can not find it in DVB Project's manufacturer list: http://www.dvb.org/index.php?id=104&il=T

And the device doesn't have hardware MPEG2 decoder as I thought after reading the review. Apparently it uses a software MPEG decoder, which just stinks! :x

Nope, if you're out looking for a DVB tuner card for your PC, then look for Technotrend's card (also re-branded as Siemens' and Hauppauge's). Try to get only the ones with MPEG2 hardware decoder integrated, as it doesn't eat up CPU time and keeps your PC running cooler. However, the MPEG2 hardware chip usually raises the price (due to a number of patent fees and low competition market) but it is worth getting it integrated.

I know personally that the Technotrend's 2.1 premium DVB-C (aka. Hauppauge DVB-C card) tuner card (for cable hence the 'C') has got MPEG 2 hardware decoder as I'm considering buying one. If I ever do buy it, I'll definately make a review of it since there is huge lack of reviews of just that card. :)