Laptop TV

[KINGFISHER 8]

Does anybody use a Freecom DVB-T USB stick to run TV on their laptop please? If so ..... does it work on the boat? Is there an alternative perhaps? This is the only one I've come across but maybe there are others/better ones?

 

[Shanty]

Just bought a Terratec Cinergy XS USB stick for that purpose. Haven't tried it on the boat yet, but it works fine at home, and will pick up digital stations using its own (very small) aerial.

Only criticism so far its a bit slow getting started, but then so am I.

 

[malcp]

Yes I have, just recently got one. Seems to work but every few seconds the picture freezes with occasional audio dropouts for a second or two then continues. I have not got round to investigating why, but virus checker is one possibility, another is changing the task priorities in Task Manager. It's worth checking the Freecom forum, and also feedback on Amazon as you get some user's experiences and comments.

The drop outs / freezes might have something to do with the PC being DualCore, I saw mentioned, but I haven't substantiated that yet.

One point you'll see time and again is the importance of a good antenna. The one provided is completely useless, unlessyou can actually see the broadcast antenna, when even a piece of wet string would do!

The supplied software is basic but functional. I believe there are alternatives you can download. Not something I've done yet.

 

[steve_cronin]

Dropouts & freezes on DVB

The most likely cause is a low signal strength. Very likely if you're just using some sort of USB plug-in without a rooftop aerial. We've had DVB TV right from day one. In fact we bought our Comet store's first Phillips OnDigital box. Right until we had a new aerial drop outs & freezes were commonplace. Now they are rare.

Steve Cronin

 

[alldownwind]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

Can anyone recommend a good aerial for these on a boat, without putting one of those flying saucer things at the top of the mast? Been trying to use an amplified aerial from Maplin, but it just doesn't do the job.

 

[malcp]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

Hmm, I experienced the video freezes etc when using the external roof mounted antenna, which admittedly is not brilliant, even with my fixed Sony DVB box. It is however not bad, especially on some channels. The supplied, small portable antenna received nothing at all. When the picture freezes it's the entire frame, not just blocks or segments, which is what happens on the Sony DVB box on some channels. It's worth checking again on a known good antenna installation, but I still suspect the problem is PC related.

I've also not tried it on the boat yet. For starters I need an external antenna.

 

[Vara]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

Having tried all combinations and types of aerial, none of which are perfect.
At the moment I'm playing with one of these;
http://www.accessorystore.co.uk/acatalog/Philips_SDV294005-DVB-TDAB_Outdoor_Indoor_Aerial.html

Although I got mine from Asda for the same price.
Seems to work well and is nice and compact for stowing. Power requirement is 6v.

 

[malcp]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

Interesting.

How did you mount it when deployed? From the piccy I assume it needs to be pointed at the transmitter? Have you tried it in a crowded marina with all the masts and rigging?

 

[Malcb]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

I use a Glomex with variable amplifier for my Maplins 8 inch Freeview set. I haul the Glomex aerial to the spreaders. No problems. You do have to retune all the channels if you stray out of area though, as I found when I travelled West this year. The main thing to concentrate on when tuning is Signal Quality, rather than Signal Strength, although both are important.

As in most things, quality is better than quantity /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Vara]

Re: Dropouts & freezes on DVB

History, when I had boat I had an omnidirectional aerial and had the problem that in a marina situation it either worked or it didn't, and only option was to move boat not always possible, I then tried a B&Q loft aerial and would wander round boat obeying signal cues from below and secure aerial in position with bits of bungee and string.Problem,not terribly elegant and a bugger to stow cos of all the jagged edges. (Tried casing it in plastic tube but that didn't work terribly well).
The phillips aerial has had a guest appearance in Gillingham and worked very well,Attached to deck brush handle and then to rails,but that was a one off.

This guide is quite useful;

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/reception_advice/dtt_pocket_guide_2-8.pdf

Put location as grid into GPS and it gives direction to transmitter. Or use bins to get clues from nearby houses.


Will be able to report more fully after hols when it will be tested in varying situations.

 

[steve_cronin]

Actually, you\'ve just given me an idea....

Glomex on broom handle, burgee stick lashing and hoisted aloft on the spinnaker halyard so that it sits above the masthead. None of the trouble of a permanently fixed saucer and not too difficult to stow. Have to be careful not to drop it on someone's head or caught hoisting it in a thunderstorm though.

Must try it.

Steve Cronin

 

[Piddy]

The Freecom DVB-T USb stick works fine - with the right version of software.
Freecom admitted to me that the current version (about a year ago) was less than useful with regular picture freezes and the stick taking over all of the system resources. This happened on a desktop and a laptop.
I now use the PCMCIA version (only due to the old laptop on the boat not having USB2), which with the older software is fine.

It is difficult to tell the Leadtek and Freecom units apart - other than they will only work with their own make of software! That sounds obvious but when you are trying a number of different versions and have access to both, it's not so obvious!

Another disappointment is that Guernsey doesn't have Digital so it was no use for weather which is the main reason it is there.
Cheers

Andy