The SkyStar USB HD is a small form factor USB device for the reception of Free-To-Air (FTA) digital TV and radio programmes on a PC or laptop. Just connect to a satellite feed and a USB port on the PC - most satellite installations have multiple satellite connections available. With Digital Video Recorder (DVR) functionality, the SkyStar USB HD allows programmes to be recorded and timeshifted using the PC’s hard disk drive.

Combining outstanding performance with ease of use, the SkyStar USB HD is Compatible with Windows 7 and provides a rich viewing experience with Windows Media Centre. It is also supplied with its own DVBViewer TE2 software for use with any version of Windows.

The SkyStar USB HD can receive all free-to-air standard and high definition channels from satellite. This means that if your dish is set up for Sky or Freesat services you can receive all the free channels on the Astra 2 satellite – including BBC HD and ITV1 HD.

Measuring just 100mm x 100mm, its small form factor offers a convenient and compact solution for turning any PC or laptop into a digital TV. The advantage of a PC TV product is that the PC has a hard disk drive so all TV and radio programmes can be recorded and played back later. The PC becomes a Digital Video Recorder (DVR) so you can pause live TV, instantly record programmes or set up timers so that programmes are recorded when you are not at home - you can even edit the recordings and burn them to DVD.

The SkyStar USB HD is supplied with the powerful and easy to use reception and playback tool, DVBViewer TE2. This application has many different features and controls the viewing of live and recorded programmes as well as other video and audio files such as AVI and MP3 etc. The channel list displays all available channels and this can be edited to create favourites lists. Programme information and Digital Video Recording are available at the touch of a button.

The main window is divided into three areas.The first is the menu bar, which contains text-based options for the user to configure settings and scan for channels. The main display area is where the live or played back programmes are viewed. This area also includes the On Screen Display (OSD), Electronic Programme Guide (EPG), Channel List and Favourites Lists. The final area is the control and tool bar which provides access to the EPG, teletext, DVR/Timeshift functions, record and volume control.

All TechniSat´s PC products are also equipped with the user-friendly video editing software EVE v2 (Easy Video Editing). MainConcept EVE v2 is a software package with many professional features such as timeline and storyboard editing. The application includes a DVD feature with burn function for quick and easy production of your own VCDs, SVCDs and DVDs. The powerful tools, such as the trimmer, picture–in–picture function and the 2D/3D titler give your videos a professional look and feel.

For a fun and cost effective solution to 3D TV on a PC, DVBViewer TE2 can be enabled to view 3D services such as the Astra 3D Promo channel on Astra 23.5º East. A software extension is available for download from the TechniSat website which processes the 3D transmission and presents 3D video that can be experienced using red/cyan anaglyph glasses.

3D programmes are transmitted as two video streams - either side by side as in the picture to the left or top and bottom. Each stream is viewed by one eye and when the software processes the side by side video, your eyes see a combined 3D picture when using the anaglyph glasses.

The SkyStar USB HD is Compatible with Windows 7 so all the drivers have been tested and verified by Microsoft. This means that if you have a Windows 7 PC or laptop you do not need the installation CD that is provided with the product – just connect the SkyStar USB HD to a USB port and Windows will detect it and find the correct drivers via your broadband connection and install them automatically.

As it is also compatible with Windows Media Centre you can use this to take you through the install procedure and scan all the available channels. With Windows Media Centre you do not need to use DVBViewer TE2 because it provides all the necessary functionality to view and record TV programmes - you can also burn DVDs.

Windows Media Centre also provides an Electronic Programme Guide (EPG) so that you can see what is on now, next and on days ahead. You can also select future programmes in the EPG to be recorded - including whole series so that each episode gets recorded automatically.

The ability to record television programmes digitally to a hard disk drive brings a host of features that were not possible with previous technology - not even with a Video Cassette Recorder (VCR). Unlike a VCR, when a programme is being recorded, you can start watching it from the beginning - before the programme has finished recording. For example, set the EPG timer to record your favourite programme at 8pm but start watching it at 8:15pm, 8:30pm or anytime that suits you. Not only is this convenient but it also allows you to forward wind through the adverts.

This is the concept of 'Timeshifted' viewing - all your favourite programmes but to a schedule that suits you.

Even if you have not set a recording and are watching live, you can still control how you view the remainder of the programme. If the phone rings or there is a knock at the door, press pause and the programme will freeze. As it is now being recorded in the background you can press play and continue from where you left off without missing anything.

You do not need to schedule a recording or press pause to control your viewing - you can press record at anytime and the SkyStar USB HD will begin recording the current programme. The programme will then be timeshifted in the same way as a scheduled programme so if you wanted to go out after having started watching a programme, press record and when you get back you can start the recording from when you went out or leave it to watch another time.

High-Definition Television (HDTV)

HDTV offers television enjoyment of a quality you have never experienced. The crystal-clear pictures are richer in detail, the colours are fuller and the contours sharper. The high-quality sound provides excellent room-filling tones.

First-Class Equipment

The SkyStar USB HD brings convenience to television and radio enjoyment. The Box is equipped with a powerful and easy-to-operate reception and playback tool (TechniSat DVBViewer TE2), a first-class electronic handy programme information service (EPG) and a wide range of other attractive features.
TV and radio broadcasts can be easily recorded using the DVR function and then played back using the TIMESHIFT feature at any time. The recordings can easily be processed using the EVE v2 video editing software, which is included with the equipment. This allows you to remove blocks of adverts, for example, and easily to add effects. Overall, the SkyStar USB HD offers the range of functions and convenience of a fully-fledged HDTV hard drive receiver.

Performance characteristics:

• Reception of free to air digital TV and radio channels via satellite
• HDTV enabled
• Internet via Satellite
• Windows® 7
• Digital video recorder (DVR)
• TIMESHIFT function
• DVBViewer TE2 reception and playback software
• Video Editing Software EVE v2 (Windows XP)
• Electronic handy programme information service (EPG)
• Videotext
• TechniRouter-ready

System requirements:

• Intel Pentium 4 1.8 GHz or higher
• At least 512 MB RAM (or higher)
• Windows 7 (x86 / x64)
• Windows Vista (x86 / x64)
• Windows XP (x86 / x64)
• 64 MB hard disk space
• 10 GB hard disk space for the DVR function
• 1 free USB 2.0 connection
• DirectX 9.0 or higher
• 3D graphics card recommended
• SoundBlaster- compatible sound card

Included Items:

• SkyStar USB HD
• Remote control including batteries
• USB cable
• Mains power adapter
• DVBViewer TE2 Software
• EVE v2 Video Editing Software
• NDIS and BDA drivers
• Manuals (Quick install)