Frequently Asked Questions
These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) offer answers to the most common questions concerning TVStick.co.uk Products. In addition to these FAQs, there is comprehensive technical information and support available on the support knowledgebase
Topics
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
Original TV Stick [ TVS680 ] [7]
| Q. | Do I have to be connected to the internet to access the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)? |
| A. | It depends which software you are using. If you are using the bundled application TotalMedia, then the EPG is received via the aerial, along with the Freeview TV programs, so you do not need to be connected to the Internet at all. If you are using Vista Media Center then the EPG is downloaded and regularly updated from the Internet. You can however still use the EPG when not connected, but you will need to periodically access the Internet for updates. |
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | What software is included? |
| A. | All necessary drivers are included. Also included is ArcSoft TotalMedia ver. 3 which, provides users with the capability of viewing scheduling and recording TV programs, plus pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding live or recorded TV. |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
| Q. | What is the difference between the Digital TV Stick [TVS328] and the Original TV Stick [TVS680]? |
| A. | The 2 TV Sticks are functionally identical, they both provide the ability to watch and record Freeview digital TV on your PC, and both come with Arcsoft TotalMedia PVR software. The main difference is that the Digital TV Stick (TVS328) includes a full size remote control rather than a credit card sized one, and has a full size aerial socket on it. The Original TVS680 has a credit card sized remote control and a smaller aerial socket so we ship an adapter to convert to a standard UK aerial socket. In our experience the Digital TV Stick is easier to install but is slightly less sensitive, whereas the Original TV Stick has the best reception but is slightly more difficult to install. If you live in a strong Freeview signal area, or you are not that skilled with computers than I would recommend the Digital TV Stick, but if you live in a weaker signal area or are confident in your PC skills then I would recommend the Original TV Stick. |
Hybrid TV Stick [ TVS003 ] [6]
| Q. | Do I have to be connected to the internet to access the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)? |
| A. | It depends which software you are using. If you are using the bundled application TotalMedia, then the EPG is received via the aerial, along with the Freeview TV programs, so you do not need to be connected to the Internet at all. If you are using Vista Media Center then the EPG is downloaded and regularly updated from the Internet. You can however still use the EPG when not connected, but you will need to periodically access the Internet for updates. |
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | What software is included? |
| A. | All necessary drivers are included. Also included is ArcSoft TotalMedia ver. 3 which, provides users with the capability of viewing scheduling and recording TV programs, plus pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding live or recorded TV. |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
Digital TV Stick [ TVS328 ] [7]
| Q. | Do I have to be connected to the internet to access the EPG (Electronic Program Guide)? |
| A. | It depends which software you are using. If you are using the bundled application TotalMedia, then the EPG is received via the aerial, along with the Freeview TV programs, so you do not need to be connected to the Internet at all. If you are using Vista Media Center then the EPG is downloaded and regularly updated from the Internet. You can however still use the EPG when not connected, but you will need to periodically access the Internet for updates. |
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | What software is included? |
| A. | All necessary drivers are included. Also included is ArcSoft TotalMedia ver. 3 which, provides users with the capability of viewing scheduling and recording TV programs, plus pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding live or recorded TV. |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
| Q. | What is the difference between the Digital TV Stick [TVS328] and the Original TV Stick [TVS680]? |
| A. | The 2 TV Sticks are functionally identical, they both provide the ability to watch and record Freeview digital TV on your PC, and both come with Arcsoft TotalMedia PVR software. The main difference is that the Digital TV Stick (TVS328) includes a full size remote control rather than a credit card sized one, and has a full size aerial socket on it. The Original TVS680 has a credit card sized remote control and a smaller aerial socket so we ship an adapter to convert to a standard UK aerial socket. In our experience the Digital TV Stick is easier to install but is slightly less sensitive, whereas the Original TV Stick has the best reception but is slightly more difficult to install. If you live in a strong Freeview signal area, or you are not that skilled with computers than I would recommend the Digital TV Stick, but if you live in a weaker signal area or are confident in your PC skills then I would recommend the Original TV Stick. |
Miglia TVMini TV Stick [Mac] [6]
| Q. | Do I have to be connected to the internet to access the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) |
| A. | The EPG is downloaded and regularly updated from the Internet. You can however still use the EPG when not connected, but you will need to periodically access the Internet for updates. |
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | What software is included? |
| A. | All necessary drivers are included. Also included is Elgato EyeTV Version 2 which, provides users with the capability of viewing scheduling and recording TV programs, plus pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding live or recorded TV. |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
Miglia TVMini Express TV Stick [Mac] [6]
| Q. | Do I have to be connected to the internet to access the EPG (Electronic Program Guide) |
| A. | The EPG is downloaded and regularly updated from the Internet. You can however still use the EPG when not connected, but you will need to periodically access the Internet for updates. |
| Q. | Do I need a TV License? |
| A. | Users must have a TV licence for their primary residence in order to use the TVStick on their PC/Laptop, in their home or on the move. A TV licence held at a primary residence also covers laptop users in places such as on trains, in cafes or hotels if they are solely running off a battery. However, if you are using the laptop plugged into the mains whilst away from the primary residence, you will require an additional licence. |
| Q. | Do I need an external aerial? |
| A. | All of the TV Stick packages include a miniature antenna which produces good results in strong signal areas, however if you do not live in a strong signal area, an adapter is included to allow you to connect a larger aerial. Please note, since signal strength varies depending on location, TVStick cannot guarantee the signal strength and therefore reception quality or channel availability in all areas. |
| Q. | Do I need an external power supply unit or mains supply? |
| A. | No, the TV Stick is powered by the USB port of your laptop/pc. This allows complete freedom over where you can watch TV- on the train, in the park, in the garden, anywhere! |
| Q. | What software is included? |
| A. | All necessary drivers are included. Also included is The Tube software from Equinix, which, provides users with the capability of viewing and recording live TV, plus pausing, rewinding and fast forwarding. |
| Q. | Do I need a broadband or other fast network connection to use a TV Stick? |
| A. | No, all of the TV Sticks we sell receive live digital Free-To-Air broadcast TV signals through an aerial (a small antenna is included), just like a Freeview Set Top Box. No network connection is required. |
