Terratec Cinergy T2 review

What you need to know

Reviewed by: Guy Cocker

Reviewed on: 15 May 2005

Tags: Terratec, Terratec Cinergy T2, London, displays, radio

We like:

Tiny physical size; easy to use recording facilities; bundled editing software

We don't like:

Practicality limited to built-up areas; software installs in German

CNET UK judgement:

Here's a novel idea -- a Freeview receiver that you can use on your laptop. Say goodbye to those boring train journeys! Unfortunately, while the Cinergy T2 offers a well-featured package, Freeview's limited coverage means you can't really watch it on those cross-country trips, at least until you get to the hotel. Even if you do get a signal, you'll have to tune it in repeatedly as you cross through transmitter ranges. If you're planning to be stationary and prefer plug-and-play to installing a PCI Freeview card, this is a very charming piece of equipment

Full review:

It's clear from the design of the Terratec Cinergy T2 that portability was the order of the day. We've seen some very small Freeview boxes, but this really takes the biscuit -- its footprint is about 50 per cent bigger than a box of matches and it's about as thick as a pack of cards. It plugs into the USB port of your computer and receives a signal from the included miniature aerial, processing the MPEG2 stream while the software displays it on-screen. From here, the functionality really becomes interesting, because your PC lets you watch, pause and record both digital television and radio. Continue Reading...