We held our first corporate hospitality event yesterday…it was tied in with the Scotland vs Italy rugby match, but let’s not go there.
Anyway, we used a Freecom USB TV dongle, a laptop and a projector to display the rugby (England vs Ireland). There seemed to be a lot of interest in what I was using to actually receive the TV signal, so I figured it was worth making this post. An Internet connection was not required, nor was the need to be connected to a corporate network. You just need a regular laptop or PC.
This is the product in question, we paid £24.99 for it:
Subject to your region and a good signal, it’ll pick up the Digital Freeview channels, including the radio stations. It’s pretty cool in that it can project a TV picture via the laptop’s VGA port whilst leaving the laptop’s original screen free for you to use – great if you have a second monitor and just want the TV on in the background while you work.
We get some 82 channels using the out-of-the-box aerial unit – of course, your mileage may vary. Ignore the odd negative review over at Amazon, this unit works and it works well – if you live in poor signal area, you can’t expect wonders.
Technorati Tags: USB, USB TV, Freecom, dongle, rugby, corporate hospitality
Did you check the venue had a TV license?
Regards
John
Interesting point. Usually when one buys a TV, the dealer is duty bound to advise TV Licensing of the purchase. Does the same stand true for USB TV dongles? I don’t know.
There’s an interesting post here:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2006/02/13/tv_licence_mobile/
…in which this can be found:
“A valid licence entitles the licence holder and anyone who lives with them to watch live television on any device at that address and on any device powered solely by its internal batteries away from home.”
…so, as long as I don’t plug my laptop into the mains… Although, that statement does suggest that my neighbours and friends can’t watch my television, as they don’t live at my address 😉
Any sales of a TV device should be recorded to the TV licensing folk. There is even a form for it.
See TV Licensing for more information.
Business fall under different rules!
I’d say the venue would require a license!! One of my previous employers looked into it and decided they need a license for the business even when the TV was an employee’s TV from home.
Mr Murphy, you have been complicit in a criminal offense. Shame on you!
I purchased a usb tv dongle to use on my laptop but I do not have an antenna connection. Can anyone advise me please.
@noel hitt More detail required! What is the make and model? The model noted in this blog entry has an antenna connection as part of the USB device…
Hi Craig. It is a seal usb dongle,I don’t have a model no. I purchased it off bid tv. I was a present for my son
Hi Craig. It is a seal usb dongle,I don’t have a model no. I purchased it off bid tv. It was a present for my son.
I have just purchased a new tv and along with it came notice of an additional extra ie. a dongle, purchase price £75:00
If I get one, what can I do with it.?
What will it do.?
Also what will a 75 quid one do that a 10 quid one wont do
I wouldn’t be worried about the TV licence until the BBC tossers can be bothered to produce quality programmes starve them out and don’t pay for those parasites,