Terratec Cinergy DT USB XS Diversity review

Terratec's smart-looking Cinergy DT USB XS Diversity uses the same technology as Pinnacle's PCTV Dual DVB-T Diversity Stick, which we reviewed in What's New, February 2007.

As with the PCTV, we found the Cinergy DT greatly improved poor reception in diversity mode. It's even possible to receive programs while travelling by car or train. However, you need to use two aerials spaced about a metre apart for diversity to function properly.

Two off-white mini-aerials are supplied in the box. Each one has a magnetic bottom, so you can attach it to metal surfaces, and a pair of suckers are provided as well. The aerials have joints so you can position them as required. It's good to see that Terratec has really thought about this part of the product. For those wanting to use the tuners off a single aerial, there's a lead provided to split an RF signal to the two inputs on the stick so you can record one channel while watching another.

The tuner is compatible with Microsoft's Media Center Edition (MCE). If you haven't got MCE, a large remote is also included in the box, which is sensibly laid out, clearly labelled and works well with the software provided. This tuner is shipped with Terratec's own Home Cinema application (THC). We've looked at this before and weren't terribly impressed; however, it's undergone a number of revisions and is much improved. Once installed, it goes directly to the digital scan tool. This found all the channels and split them into separate lists for TV and radio stations. They weren't in our preferred order, but it was easy to rearrange them and remove the unwanted quiz channels in the settings menu.

The EPG provides all the information you'll need. There's a now and next summary of all channels, or you can bring up a listing of all programmes on the current channel. It caches the programme information, so there's no waiting for it to catch up. It's not as good as the timeline layout in Windows XP MCE, though.

The EPG has one of the few scheduling systems we've seen that lets you schedule two programmes to be recorded at once. You can even timeshift a programme you are currently recording. Alternatively, you can watch and timeshift one programme while recording another. However, you can't watch two programmes simultaneously, which may be off-putting for sports enthusiasts. The software is also compatible with the TVTV online listings system, costing £15 a year, which lets you schedule recordings online or from your mobile.

With decent picture quality, the THC software is a useful application. Add in the twin tuners for only £79, and this USB stick becomes our new favourite TV tuner.