Hauppauge launches Freesat HDTV tuner

Hauppauge Digital Inc, a manufacturer of video, TV and data broadcast receiver products for PCs, is launching a USB TV dongle to support high definition TV broadcasts on Freesat.

For £79, the Hauppauge WinTV Nova-S Freesat USB2 will enable anyone who already has a satellite dish, such as Sky subscribers, to view Freesat channels on a laptop or desktop computer.

The USB dongle plugs in to the satellite dish socket at one end and to a USB port on a laptop or PC at the other, and is ideal for providing a secondary tuner for viewing in areas such as a kitchen or bedroom.

The broadcasts can be viewed either in fullscreen, or in a smaller window to allow the PC to be used for other tasks at the same time.

The dongle comes with WinNova software, which together with suitable hardware will enable a PC to display HD content. The software also provides a scheduling feature making it possible to save programmes to the computer’s hard drive for later viewing.

The device is compatible with 32bit versions of both Windows XP and Windows Vista.

Freesat is a joint venture between the BBC and ITV which will provide 80+ free-to-air digital TV and radio channels. Broadcasts will be from the Astra 2D satellite, which is also used by Sky, so there should be no need for Sky subscribers to realign their satellite dish.