TV USB Stick

[Jerry Feldman-2]

This is not a Linux question per se. I want to get a USB TV tuner for my
wife so she can watch TV on her laptop. While I'd prefer it be usable on
Linux, I'm really only interested in an over-the-air digital USB TV
tuner. Any recommendations (or non-recommendations) on brand. I've seen
a few at about $50.

--
Jerry Feldman <gaf@...>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id: 537C5846
PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846



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[Jarod Wilson]

On Jun 21, 2009, at 8:12 AM, Jerry Feldman wrote:

> This is not a Linux question per se. I want to get a USB TV tuner  
> for my
> wife so she can watch TV on her laptop. While I'd prefer it be  
> usable on
> Linux, I'm really only interested in an over-the-air digital USB TV
> tuner. Any recommendations (or non-recommendations) on brand. I've  
> seen
> a few at about $50.

If you want it to Just Work and want both OTA and cable support (not  
to mention both analog and digital support), I'd say get the Hauppauge  
HVR-950Q. Not the cheapest, but its very well supported. If digital  
cable really doesn't matter, the Hauppauge HVR-850 would fit the bill.

The only other usb stick I have direct experience with is the KWorld  
PlusTV 340U, which is no longer shipping, at least, not as the 340U  
anymore -- its been externally rebadged UB-435Q, but says 340U rev B  
on the internal PCB... I have the rev A 340U working quite well now  
under Linux, with my patches for it pending inclusion in the upstream  
v4l-dvb mercurial tree. The rev B. is identical, save the tuner, which  
actually complicates things on the Linux side, since the tuner needs  
to be set up differently, but we currently have no way to tell which  
tuner version is present until we configure the tuner... incorrectly,  
in the case of the rev. B...

Not particularly familiar with any other devices.

--
Jarod Wilson
jarod@...




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[Jarod Wilson]

On Jun 22, 2009, at 12:15 PM, Jarod Wilson <jarod@...> wrote:

> The rev B. is identical, save the tuner

Where by 'tuner', I meant the physical silicon tuner component, which  
is an NXP TDA18271HD/C1 in the rev A, C2 in the rev B, and they  
require programming the LG DT3304 ATSC demodulator chip a bit  
differently. Same demod, usb bridge and device ID though.

--jarod

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[Jerry Feldman-2]

Thanks Jarod,
The question my wife asked was "could we get a portable tv so I wan
watch tv on the deck".  The deck has AC power, but no cable, but we can
easily see the Needham antenna farm. So, for about $200 I could buy a
portable (or small screen) digital TV set, or get a USB tuner. The
UB435Q seems to fit the bill. The only real question is how would the
reception be using the built-in antenna, but for $30+shipping, it
appears to be a good deal and has some good reviews. The Hauppauge
HVR-850 looks good at $60, but it needs an external antenna. I'm doing a
bit more research, but I might bi\uy one of the units before next
month's meeting.

On 06/22/2009 12:15 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:

>
> If you want it to Just Work and want both OTA and cable support (not  
> to mention both analog and digital support), I'd say get the Hauppauge  
> HVR-950Q. Not the cheapest, but its very well supported. If digital  
> cable really doesn't matter, the Hauppauge HVR-850 would fit the bill.
>
> The only other usb stick I have direct experience with is the KWorld  
> PlusTV 340U, which is no longer shipping, at least, not as the 340U  
> anymore -- its been externally rebadged UB-435Q, but says 340U rev B  
> on the internal PCB... I have the rev A 340U working quite well now  
> under Linux, with my patches for it pending inclusion in the upstream  
> v4l-dvb mercurial tree. The rev B. is identical, save the tuner, which  
> actually complicates things on the Linux side, since the tuner needs  
> to be set up differently, but we currently have no way to tell which  
> tuner version is present until we configure the tuner... incorrectly,  
> in the case of the rev. B...
>
> Not particularly familiar with any other devices.
>
>  

--
Jerry Feldman <gaf@...>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id: 537C5846
PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846



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[Jarod Wilson]

On Jun 22, 2009, at 2:25 PM, Jerry Feldman wrote:

> Thanks Jarod,
> The question my wife asked was "could we get a portable tv so I wan
> watch tv on the deck".  The deck has AC power, but no cable, but we  
> can
> easily see the Needham antenna farm. So, for about $200 I could buy a
> portable (or small screen) digital TV set, or get a USB tuner. The
> UB435Q seems to fit the bill. The only real question is how would the
> reception be using the built-in antenna, but for $30+shipping, it
> appears to be a good deal and has some good reviews. The Hauppauge
> HVR-850 looks good at $60, but it needs an external antenna.

Neither one has a built-in antenna, they both have coax f-type  
connectors on the ends of 'em. At least so far as I know... I have an  
HVR-950 (pre-Q version, now sold as the 850) and the precursor to the  
UB435Q both here in front of me, they both require an external  
antenna. However, they both get pretty good reception using a ~$30  
amplified antenna out here in Westford, and I believe both sticks come  
with a cheapo mast antenna, which actually works surprisingly well out  
here, and should work even better at your location...


> I'm doing a
> bit more research, but I might bi\uy one of the units before next
> month's meeting.

Don't expect the UB435Q to Just Work under Linux yet though, support  
isn't likely to hit the mainline kernel until probably 2.6.32 at the  
current rate of progress...

> On 06/22/2009 12:15 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:
>>
>> If you want it to Just Work and want both OTA and cable support (not
>> to mention both analog and digital support), I'd say get the  
>> Hauppauge
>> HVR-950Q. Not the cheapest, but its very well supported. If digital
>> cable really doesn't matter, the Hauppauge HVR-850 would fit the  
>> bill.
>>
>> The only other usb stick I have direct experience with is the KWorld
>> PlusTV 340U, which is no longer shipping, at least, not as the 340U
>> anymore -- its been externally rebadged UB-435Q, but says 340U rev B
>> on the internal PCB... I have the rev A 340U working quite well now
>> under Linux, with my patches for it pending inclusion in the upstream
>> v4l-dvb mercurial tree. The rev B. is identical, save the tuner,  
>> which
>> actually complicates things on the Linux side, since the tuner needs
>> to be set up differently, but we currently have no way to tell which
>> tuner version is present until we configure the tuner... incorrectly,
>> in the case of the rev. B...
>>
>> Not particularly familiar with any other devices.

--
Jarod Wilson
jarod@...




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[Jerry Feldman-2]

I'm seeing the UB435Q at Newegg for $30 + shipping (about $7). However,
there is a KW-ATSC-330U that seems to be carried at more places. The
reviews for the UB435Q are better than both the Hauppage 850 or 950.
I'll post a review later after I get it and try it with Linux.

On 06/22/2009 02:36 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:

> On Jun 22, 2009, at 2:25 PM, Jerry Feldman wrote:
>
>  
>> Thanks Jarod,
>> The question my wife asked was "could we get a portable tv so I wan
>> watch tv on the deck".  The deck has AC power, but no cable, but we  
>> can
>> easily see the Needham antenna farm. So, for about $200 I could buy a
>> portable (or small screen) digital TV set, or get a USB tuner. The
>> UB435Q seems to fit the bill. The only real question is how would the
>> reception be using the built-in antenna, but for $30+shipping, it
>> appears to be a good deal and has some good reviews. The Hauppauge
>> HVR-850 looks good at $60, but it needs an external antenna.
>>    
>
> Neither one has a built-in antenna, they both have coax f-type  
> connectors on the ends of 'em. At least so far as I know... I have an  
> HVR-950 (pre-Q version, now sold as the 850) and the precursor to the  
> UB435Q both here in front of me, they both require an external  
> antenna. However, they both get pretty good reception using a ~$30  
> amplified antenna out here in Westford, and I believe both sticks come  
> with a cheapo mast antenna, which actually works surprisingly well out  
> here, and should work even better at your location...
>
>
>  
>> I'm doing a
>> bit more research, but I might bi\uy one of the units before next
>> month's meeting.
>>    
>
> Don't expect the UB435Q to Just Work under Linux yet though, support  
> isn't likely to hit the mainline kernel until probably 2.6.32 at the  
> current rate of progress...
>
>
>  
>> On 06/22/2009 12:15 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:
>>    
>>> If you want it to Just Work and want both OTA and cable support (not
>>> to mention both analog and digital support), I'd say get the  
>>> Hauppauge
>>> HVR-950Q. Not the cheapest, but its very well supported. If digital
>>> cable really doesn't matter, the Hauppauge HVR-850 would fit the  
>>> bill.
>>>
>>> The only other usb stick I have direct experience with is the KWorld
>>> PlusTV 340U, which is no longer shipping, at least, not as the 340U
>>> anymore -- its been externally rebadged UB-435Q, but says 340U rev B
>>> on the internal PCB... I have the rev A 340U working quite well now
>>> under Linux, with my patches for it pending inclusion in the upstream
>>> v4l-dvb mercurial tree. The rev B. is identical, save the tuner,  
>>> which
>>> actually complicates things on the Linux side, since the tuner needs
>>> to be set up differently, but we currently have no way to tell which
>>> tuner version is present until we configure the tuner... incorrectly,
>>> in the case of the rev. B...
>>>
>>> Not particularly familiar with any other devices.
>>>      
>
>
>  

--
Jerry Feldman <gaf@...>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id: 537C5846
PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846



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[Jarod Wilson]

On Jun 23, 2009, at 11:07 AM, Jerry Feldman wrote:

> I'm seeing the UB435Q at Newegg for $30 + shipping (about $7).

They had it on special w/free shipping a few days ago. Was going to  
get one for the heck of it, but they sold out in no time flat...


> However,
> there is a KW-ATSC-330U that seems to be carried at more places.

Also appears to be supported under Linux. Note that I believe it will  
require digging up a firmware file for its Xceive tuner though.

> The
> reviews for the UB435Q are better than both the Hauppage 850 or 950.
> I'll post a review later after I get it and try it with Linux.

"It" being the UB435Q or ?. UB435Q support still isn't quite merged  
into the v4l-dvb development tree, but should be Real Soon Now  
(actually chatting w/one of the main linuxtv devs about it right now  
on irc).

> On 06/22/2009 02:36 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:
>> On Jun 22, 2009, at 2:25 PM, Jerry Feldman wrote:
>>
>>
>>> Thanks Jarod,
>>> The question my wife asked was "could we get a portable tv so I wan
>>> watch tv on the deck".  The deck has AC power, but no cable, but we
>>> can
>>> easily see the Needham antenna farm. So, for about $200 I could  
>>> buy a
>>> portable (or small screen) digital TV set, or get a USB tuner. The
>>> UB435Q seems to fit the bill. The only real question is how would  
>>> the
>>> reception be using the built-in antenna, but for $30+shipping, it
>>> appears to be a good deal and has some good reviews. The Hauppauge
>>> HVR-850 looks good at $60, but it needs an external antenna.
>>>
>>
>> Neither one has a built-in antenna, they both have coax f-type
>> connectors on the ends of 'em. At least so far as I know... I have an
>> HVR-950 (pre-Q version, now sold as the 850) and the precursor to the
>> UB435Q both here in front of me, they both require an external
>> antenna. However, they both get pretty good reception using a ~$30
>> amplified antenna out here in Westford, and I believe both sticks  
>> come
>> with a cheapo mast antenna, which actually works surprisingly well  
>> out
>> here, and should work even better at your location...
>>
>>
>>
>>> I'm doing a
>>> bit more research, but I might bi\uy one of the units before next
>>> month's meeting.
>>>
>>
>> Don't expect the UB435Q to Just Work under Linux yet though, support
>> isn't likely to hit the mainline kernel until probably 2.6.32 at the
>> current rate of progress...
>>
>>
>>
>>> On 06/22/2009 12:15 PM, Jarod Wilson wrote:
>>>
>>>> If you want it to Just Work and want both OTA and cable support  
>>>> (not
>>>> to mention both analog and digital support), I'd say get the
>>>> Hauppauge
>>>> HVR-950Q. Not the cheapest, but its very well supported. If digital
>>>> cable really doesn't matter, the Hauppauge HVR-850 would fit the
>>>> bill.
>>>>
>>>> The only other usb stick I have direct experience with is the  
>>>> KWorld
>>>> PlusTV 340U, which is no longer shipping, at least, not as the 340U
>>>> anymore -- its been externally rebadged UB-435Q, but says 340U  
>>>> rev B
>>>> on the internal PCB... I have the rev A 340U working quite well now
>>>> under Linux, with my patches for it pending inclusion in the  
>>>> upstream
>>>> v4l-dvb mercurial tree. The rev B. is identical, save the tuner,
>>>> which
>>>> actually complicates things on the Linux side, since the tuner  
>>>> needs
>>>> to be set up differently, but we currently have no way to tell  
>>>> which
>>>> tuner version is present until we configure the tuner...  
>>>> incorrectly,
>>>> in the case of the rev. B...
>>>>
>>>> Not particularly familiar with any other devices.
>>>>
>>
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> Jerry Feldman <gaf@...>
> Boston Linux and Unix
> PGP key id: 537C5846
> PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C  
> 5846
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Discuss mailing list
> Discuss@...
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[Jerry Feldman-2]

Just a final note on this. The shipping was their lowest cost shipping
of under $6.00. The unit has already been delivered by UPS Ground. Great
service from NewEgg in that they confirmed and physically shipped the
order on the same day the order was received. Unfortunately, I had a
discount coupon for NewEgg that I forgot about :-)

On 06/23/2009 11:07 AM, Jerry Feldman wrote:
> I'm seeing the UB435Q at Newegg for $30 + shipping (about $7). However,
> there is a KW-ATSC-330U that seems to be carried at more places. The
> reviews for the UB435Q are better than both the Hauppage 850 or 950.
> I'll post a review later after I get it and try it with Linux.
>


--
Jerry Feldman <gaf@...>
Boston Linux and Unix
PGP key id: 537C5846
PGP Key fingerprint: 3D1B 8377 A3C0 A5F2 ECBB  CA3B 4607 4319 537C 5846



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