Sandberg Mini DVB-T: perfect pixels - in miniature (From The Northern Echo)

Sandberg Mini DVB-T: perfect pixels - in miniature

2:50pm Tuesday 6th July 2010 in

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MINIATURISATION is a popular topic for sci-fi writers speculating about what life would be like in the future.

It's also a continuing trend in the world of gadgets and computing for reasons of space and efficiency. We like tiny gizmos because they are easier to carry and store and therefore more convenient to use.

The Mini DVB-T from Sandberg is the smallest digital TV receiver I have yet seen.

I mean, this thing is absolutely tiny, at 1.5 cm sticking out of a laptop it's hardly much bigger than my thumbnail - but there's nothing diminutive about the way it performs.

Within the little plastic case is a digital TV receiver, a digital radio and an FM receiver.

Plug the dongle into a laptop or a PC, load the software that comes in the packet and, provided the signal is strong enough, you'll be enjoying Freeview programmes in no time at all.

Just like Sky+ the software makes it possible to record and pause your favourite shows.

There's also a handy electronic programme guide to see what's on and a teletext decoder.

Of course you need a decent signal to make it work and I found the small aerial that comes with the gongle wasn't up to the job in my house (which has lousy terrestrial TV reception). Luckily there's an adaptor in the packet so you can plug in a full-sized aerial and, having done that, I was up and running in less than five minutes.

The picture was clear and free from the annoying break-up that plagues some USB receivers. Sound over digital radio was excellent. The ability to record shows meant I spent several evening compiling my own music mixes taking me back to the Seventies and Sunday nights taping the Top 20.

If you have a Windows 7 PC or an XP media centre, the mini DVB-T dongle would be a great way to add television and radio to your PC at minimal cost.

PPrice: £48.99