Product Reviews

There are lots of digital USB TV tuners available. This model from MSI caught our eye as it comes with the same ArcSoft Totalmedia 3 software as the excellent Freecom USB Stick, yet costs just £18.

There's a full-sized RF input on the side, so there are no fiddly adaptors to fit or lose, and the lid is held on by a piece of string. Setting up the tuner is easy. The software is similar to Microsoft's Media Center, including the provision of an easy-to-use setup wizard. This found all the expected Freeview channels, though we had to divide up the TV and radio channels manually.

A mini remote is provided. It's fine for browsing channels and changing the volume, but it doesn't have enough buttons to let you fully navigate the interface or EPG. The EPG doesn't use a convenient timeline layout like Media Center, but shows both current programmes being broadcast plus future broadcasts on a single channel. It is easy to read and schedule recordings.

The Digivox won't receive analogue broadcasts, but it is well designed and very cheap.