PCTV NanoStick T2 review

We initially tried to test the T2 using Media Center under Windows Vista. Despite our best efforts, reloading the drivers and scanning twice, we couldn’t get our test PC to find the HD channels. We’ve contacted the manufacturer about these issues and will update this review once we hear back from them.

UPDATE: Hauppauge has now confirmed that Vista Media Center has no support for HD channels, and so they aren’t displayed. Vista users will need to upgrade to Windows 7 if they want to use the Nanostick with Media Center

Using Windows 7, however, everything worked fine. It recognised the T2 as a simple DVB-T tuner, but when we scanned for channels it also picked up the four Freeview HD channels. These weren’t marked as being HD in Media Center’s guide, but there was no problem watching the HD feed or scheduling recordings.

Windows 7 can also be set-up to work with multiple tuners, so it’s possible to simply add this HD tuner to your existing dual-tuner Freeview set-up.

Switching to TVCenter we were rather disappointed. For basic viewing the application works fine, with window showing the programme and a small floating toolbar for changing channel and volume. However, the EPG is poor, opening in separate window and using a convoluted set of programme listings rather than the usual timeline format.

DistanTV is far more promising, with a simple web based interfae that lets you choose which channel you want to watch. It’s perfect for streaming TV within your home to mobile devices, such as tablets. However, you’ll need incredible upload speeds to appreciate the extra quality of HD channels if you plan on streaming over the internet beyond your home.

£80 for a single USB tuner is a lot of money, but then you don’t have a lot of choice right now. We can’t help but be a little disappointed that the initial DVB-T2 product isn’t a more enthusiast-friendly dual-tuner PCI-Express card – which would have been ideal for building a free-to-air HD media centre. However, for those who want to watch HD TV for free, this is an excellent product – just make sure you use Media Center.