Closer look
Having had hands on with a number of thumb-stick tuners, we were initially taken aback by the size of the AVerTV DVB-T. In reality, though, it's not exactly a giant even if it is huge compared to some of the other solutions we've seen.
The unit measures just
100(w)x25(h)x70(d)mm
Around
the back there isn't much
to see.A full-size
coaxial aerial socket for the incoming
TV signal sits alongside
a Mini USB port
The device is USB powered, so there's no dedicated power socket and only two cable need to be used. Around the front there's an IR receiver eye for remote control and a lovely blue LED (they're popular at the moment, aren't they?) which lights when the device is working.
The remote for the AVerTV DVB-T is a good size and provides all the functionality you'd expect. However, a number of the buttons require a lot of pressure to get them to work. Some just seemed to need a tap, others required more effort. Sometimes it's unclear whether the software is being unresponsive, or whether the button on the remote wasn't being pressed hard enough or long enough. This lack of responsiveness can quickly become annoying.
You need to be a brain surgeon to get inside a thumb-stick tuner but not so the AVerMedia. Naturally, we couldn't resist - and reached for the HEXUS.screwdriver.
Say hello to the AVerMedia's
Panasonic tuner module...
This combination of
hardware isn't exclusive to the AVerTV DVB-T, it's used in a
number of products on the market now.
Although the AVerTV DVB-T is large in comparison to a thumb-stick tuner, we came to the conclusion that this is actually a good thing. Thumb-stick tuners can't always be can't be placed where you want, whereas something like the AVerMedia box, with a longish cable and non-slip feet can. This is good news if you want to use the remote - you can put the receiver in line of sight (it's an IR remote, remember, not wireless). Furthermore, the large coaxial connector means you're certain of a good connection to the unit; the cable isn't likely to be slipping out any time soon.