Freeview dongle recommendations?

[Husky]

A few weeks ago when I was looking for PVR recommendations I dismissed the idea of using a Freeview dongle on my PC, but now I want to get one so that I can record BBC 7 (the digital radio channel that is also broadcast on Freeview) on my PC.



Can anyone recommend a good Freeview dongle that comes with decent software (recording TV is not my main aim but it would be nice to have the ability to do that too).



Cheers.

[mallee59]

There are a few listed on ebay between 15 and 23 pounds. they are usually usb 2 from what I have seen and most do have decent software.

You will also require a good aerial signal to receive freeview.

I have seen them for sale in ALDI and the maker is TEVION, have bought other TEVION kit and its quite good and also usually has a 3 year warranty.

Mallee

[batman]

Dongle?

[DocRobertPepper]

name='batman']Dongle?

Looks like a memory stick, phone companys are now using them for mobile internet for your computer



looks like digital TV are now using them

[mallee59]

name='batman']Dongle?

Dongle was originally a term given to a piece of security kit to protect computer software. This was a device inserted into the computer printer port that the software would check for on startup, if it wasn't there then the software wouldn't run (bit like if it didn't go clang then the train has gone...)



The term seems to have migrated now to bluetooth devices and freeview devices which are more receivers/transmitters than a true dongle.



Just looking for the smiley that puts speech marks around the word dongle everytime I say it like all the yuppy tekky types do in the air....



Mallee

[batman]

Cheers Mallee .... "dongle" ..... techy types, don't you just luv 'em!

[mallee59]

oh I do love em, specially when I am on courses and they talk to you as though they have just invented the wheel or sliced bread with their "term" until its pointed out where it originally derived from....not that I would do that of course...

[Steve Crook]

name='mallee59']Just looking for the smiley that puts speech marks around the word dongle everytime I say it like all the yuppy tekky types do in the air....



Mallee

name='batman']Cheers Mallee .... "dongle" ..... techy types, don't you just luv 'em!

I know a lot of "techy" (or even "tekky") types - and I've never heard any of them call one of those things a dongle. They either use their correct names (which vary depending on what it's doing) or they are more likely to call it a "thingy" or a "whotsit"



The word "dongle" was more likely made up by marketing types



Steve

[mallee59]

you must be on the advanced courses then Steve....

[MB]

Best thread title ever.

[mallee59]

name='MB']Best thread title ever.

will be intersting to see how many read it...pity we dont have a 'left extremely disappointed' counter...

[Steve Crook]

name='mallee59']you must be on the advanced courses then Steve....

I teach on the advanced course



Steve

[mallee59]

that would be the whotsit curriculum then?

[Windthrop]

name='Husky']A few weeks ago when I was looking for PVR recommendations I dismissed the idea of using a Freeview dongle on my PC, but now I want to get one so that I can record BBC 7 (the digital radio channel that is also broadcast on Freeview) on my PC.



Can anyone recommend a good Freeview dongle that comes with decent software (recording TV is not my main aim but it would be nice to have the ability to do that too).



Cheers.

If it is just BBC7 you want don't bother with a dongle, use the iplayer and 'lift' the programme using realplayer

[mallee59]

cheers windthrop

never tried that myself....until now........appears to work on another well known site as well...allegedly...

[Husky]

name='Windthrop']If it is just BBC7 you want don't bother with a dongle, use the iplayer and 'lift' the programme using realplayer

When I've done that before the quality of the stream has been a bit iffy - it's ok for a casual listen but if one wants to archive a prog the quality is way too low IMO. Not sure if it's due to bandwidth issues or some other factor.

[batman]

[mallee59]

oh the memories just came flooding back looking at that pic.....just bear with me while I clean up the mess....



A parallel port dongle.....25 way 'd' type connector as well....

[Husky]

name='Husky']When I've done that before the quality of the stream has been a bit iffy - it's ok for a casual listen but if one wants to archive a prog the quality is way too low IMO. Not sure if it's due to bandwidth issues or some other factor.

This page suggests that the audio quality of iplayer has been improved (now better than DAB, apparently, which isn't saying much as DAB quality is appalling) BBC iPlayer on-demand radio programmes now at higher quality than DAB



However BBC7 is apparently only available in mono via iplayer (as it is on DA, so I think my idea of the dongle is still the best solution, as Freeview is the only platform on which BBC7 is broadcast in stereo.



Cheers folks.

[mallee59]

called at ALDI today or yesterday I should say looking at the time and they have a device in at 17.99

didnt have much time to check it out but sure it was Tevion

Mallee