Review: KWorld DVBT-350U

The KWorld DVBT-350U has a rectangular extruded aluminium case, helping to keep the device cool.

An adapter is included to convert the 2.5mm mini coaxial aerial connector in the end of the case to a standard-size aerial coaxial plug, although the 13.5cm mini stick aerial supplied has a 1.2m cable that also terminates in a 2.5mm coaxial plug.

A screw-on cup converts the aerial from magnetic mounting to suction mount.

There are three separate install options on the KWorld CD menu; install USB drivers, the DVB-T Plus viewing application and Microsoft Direct X 9.0c if required.

So unlike all the other products in this group test, the USB drivers and the viewing application must be installed separately and sequentially, and installation does not automatically launch the viewing application in program scan mode.

But scan mode is activated the first time the viewing application is launched, and on our test system this triggered a warning from the Windows firewall that it was blocking some requests from this program.

DVB-T Plus uses a viewing window and separate control panel layout and looks rather crude compared to the software for the other products in this test.

The control panel is split vertically into three zones. Status displays for time, signal levels and so on are shown at the top, a simulated keypad and program option buttons occupy the middle, and at the bottom is a round, dial-like set of simulated VCR transport controls.

In terms of hardware this is a no-frills product – there are no indicator lights, no remote control, no carry bag or A/V breakout cable, but the aluminium case seems tough and offers an extra level of cooling.

The software is on the crude side, but has basic mpeg2 file-editing capability and DVD/VCD/SVCD-recording options, in addition to the usual hard-disk recording.

This article is part of a group test of miniature USB TV tuners. Others are:
Intro and Editor's choice
Freecom DVB-T USB Stick
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 900
KWorld DVBT-350U
MSI Mega Sky 580
Pinnacle PCTV USB Stick
Terratec CinergyT USB XS

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