Freecom DVB-T TV USB Stick

[fro5tie]

For me, the Yakumo software finds channels (as does ShowShifter), but GB-PVR wont pick anything up I've updated the EPG and then when i click Map Channels to EPG or whatever its called, it comes up, scans, but doesnt find any

[MadBob]

Can anyone tell me what the advantages are of the ShowShifter or GB-PVR software over the Freecom generic? I have already installed the Yakumo_Quickstick_Treiber and tested them; I could never get GB-PVR to actually save the EPG and let me use it, however ShowShifter worked fine. Then I removed the drivers and installed the standard Freecom ones.

The Freecom software lets me watch and record with relative ease and apart from a few small suggestions (which I sent to Freecom) I can find nothing that cannot be done with the packaged software. (I'm sure you will let me know what I have missed)

One particular thing I like is that I don't need an internet connection to get the EPG info, it comes with the coax connection. I think that the other software D/L this from the internet (could be wrong but not re-installing to find out)

I also tried WebScheduler but could not find a UK site for DL the EPG which rendered it useless.

I will post here what I have sent to Freecom as suggestions.

(Oh and if anyone knows where I can buy another Coaxial adapter that is used with the USB stick I would be grateful as that will soon get lost!)

=== email===

I have just bought your USB DVB-T stick and I have D/L and installed the newest version from your website (DTV Ver 1.050608 Capture Ver 1.0.1.40906)

However I do have a few small suggestions that you might pass on to your development team.

[SUGGESTIONS]

1: The Favourites/TV/Radio lists should expand from the right click menu as well as the actual favorites dialog opening. This would make selecting a new channel far easier and faster. at the moment you have to open the control panel ("CTRL+M") then click on favourites then select the channel and close the favourites panel

2: Always On Top should be selectable from the right click menu. instead of having to open the setup and check it in the general settings.

3: Favorites should have a "Move Up / Move Down" from the right click menu (in the favorites dialog) so you can re-order your channels which now can only be done by removing all the channels lower in the list and then re-adding them all.

4: Should be able to select the EPG dialog from the right click menu.

5: The EPG list should show your Favourites in the order you have selected and NOT the whole Channel list as it does now, or at least have a check box that lets you decide which of the lists you can see in the drop down.

I also have a question:

[QUESTION]

Can I buy another Coaxial adapter as the one that came with it will soon be misplaced by my kids?

===end===

[Rr33d]

That's pretty much the behaviour I found on a machine that had previously had the Freecom drivers installed. Drivers load fine, green light comes on, any scan fails to find anything.

Clearly something gets left behind, I don't know what. I installed on a different machine and started with the Yakumo drivers. Works fine.

Sorry not to have a fix other than either do that or re-install your OS which is drastic and not my recommended fix but unless someone can identify *exactly* what gets left behind, your options are limited.

Does the Yakumo software also fail to find channels?

David.

I tried installing on a different computer without the freecom drivers previously installed, however again i had to force it to use the Yakumo drivers as it wouldnt install by just showing it the directory. I didn't know if to use the capture or the loader inf file but i tried both and neither will recieve chanels even using the Yakumo software. but like i said the light will appear green.. i have been on other forums and they have said the Yakumo drivers work with media center, (which im trying to install it on) and others have managed to get it working. i really don't know where i'm going wrong because everyone else can seem to get it working I don't know whether to take it back.

[djtaylor]

The Freecom software lets me watch and record with relative ease and apart from a few small suggestions (which I sent to Freecom) I can find nothing that cannot be done with the packaged software. (I'm sure you will let me know what I have missed)

Where to start!

The idea behind software such as gbpvr and showshifter and all the others is that you can build more of a media PC and in the case of gbpvr, use the Hauppauge MVP to have a little silent box in the lounge/bedroom (or wherever) to output onto the TV.

If all you want to do is record the odd show and watch live TV then continue using the bundled software but don't expect any new features.

My Freecom is one of a couple of tuners, the other being a Nova-T. The box is dedicated, has 750GB of storage, feeds two MVP's, has all our CD's stored as MP3, a load of ripped DVD's, films that i've saved and cut the commercials and very very easy to use EPG (unlike the tortuous one that is with the Freecom software). My wife can use it without problems, in fact so can the baby sitter, I just gave her the remote control and said "you're a teenager, you'll figure it out" and if she gets stuck, my 6 year old can show her too.

I think you're really missing the point if you want to compare media software with bundled TV software. Take a look at the screen shots of gbpvr and then at some of the skins to see what a world you're missing out on - unless of course you're not interested which is fine too.

To be honest, a few weeks ago I didn't want to build a media system. I wanted a set top box that just worked, each and every time. Then I threw the Freecom stick at a PC and gbpvr for a bit of fun, figured hey this could work. Then spent about twice the cost of that set top box I was going to buy but then again, I now feed two rooms plus my office where the PC sits and offers me all the same.

Also, I was on the train the other week using my laptop and a 3G datacard and was setting up recordings via the web interface. I haven't managed to do that with the freecom software yet...

David.

[MadBob]

Ahh

OK I can see where it would be cool for a dedicated MM System, I have no intention (so far) of building one and as for skins... first thing I ever do when I have to use an XP machine is revert the Telly Tubbyland (or early learning centre) interface to basic functionality I want function not fantasy in my windows which is why I am still runing Win2k :p

I tried SS and found it to be fine but for the functions I want not too different from the generic, and unfortunately I could not get GB-PVR working. If I could get the right click functions tuned a bit better on the generic software I would feel happier.

I already have a set-top system and only want DVB on my PC for secondary viewing and recording, I use Ulead VideoStudio to create DVD's and watch them on my TV not PC. I have a DVD player that can handle Xvid and DiVx but find prefer DVD as it is easier to lend to my family.

I guess that the standard software will do for me all that I need at the moment, however I have only had my USB DVB-T for 1 day so....

cheers for the reply.

[djtaylor]

as for skins... first thing I ever do when I have to use an XP machine is revert the Telly Tubbyland (or early learning centre) interface to basic functionality I want function not fantasy in my windows which is why I am still runing Win2k :p

You're missing the point, there are some very nice interfaces (skins) that provide a very good look and feel, better than the default while being far from a gimmick, you have to try to appreciate such.

I already have a set-top system and only want DVB on my PC for secondary viewing and recording, I use Ulead VideoStudio to create DVD's and watch them on my TV not PC. I have a DVD player that can handle Xvid and DiVx but find prefer DVD as it is easier to lend to my family.

You may still be missing the point? In my case, gbpvr runs on a noisy 6 fan, 6 disk box in my office. I don't watch *anything* on it. I have two TVs connected to two Hauppauge MVP's via cat5. These are paperback sized boxes, fanless, silent and they play out the video and gbpvr interface onto the TV's. I have no interest in a PC in the lounge, nor watching video on a PC. Oh I should add that using Orb, I have also recorded stuff while driving to a hotel and then streamed it to my PC in the hotel upon arrival. I can't find a set top box that will let me do that either.

I guess that the standard software will do for me all that I need at the moment, however I have only had my USB DVB-T for 1 day so....

Yep, that's where I was except when I got it going and connected up the first MVP, my wife asked for more!

David.

[Andy1234]

Ive got a Freecom USB DVB T stick and was wanting to use it with the viewer that comes with the Vakumo quickstick device.

Ive tried the Yakumo website and the link in post 19 of this forum but had no luck.

Does any one have any other suggestions or locations?

[awhb]

Ive got a Freecom USB DVB T stick and was wanting to use it with the viewer that comes with the Vakumo quickstick device.

Ive tried the Yakumo website and the link in post 19 of this forum but had no luck.

Does any one have any other suggestions or locations?

You're right, the link appears to be broken. Send me a PM if you still need it and I can mail it to you.

[JeremyPorteous]

Having read about people's success using the Freecom DVB-T stick with the Yakumo (or Hama) BDA drivers I have just purchased one. Unfortunately, mine does NOT work with these drivers.

From reading this thread
http://forum.digitalspy.co.uk/board/show...p?t=261814
and my own investigations the hardware seems to have been changed.

The original Freecom and Yakumo drivers look for a USB stick with vendor ID 14AA and product ID of 220 or 222 (for BDA_Loader_220.inf or DTV_Loader_2X1.inf) and product ID of 221 (for BDA_Capture_220.inf or DTV_Capture_2X1.inf). Unfortunately, my Freecom stick (manufactured February 2006) has a vendor ID of 14AA and a product ID of 22A (for WDM_Loader_220A.inf) and 22B (for WDM_Capture_220A.inf). It is therefore an updated model, so the other drivers do not work. This is the case even if you update the INF files to get Windows to install the Yakumo drivers for the new product IDs. Does anybody have a solution?

[Mister Slimm]

Having read about people's success using the Freecom DVB-T stick with the Yakumo (or Hama) BDA drivers I have just purchased one. Unfortunately, mine does NOT work with these drivers.

No solution, mine doesn't work either. Let's just hope Freecom make good on their promise to supply BDA drivers within time.