Thoughts
Between the two products you've seen here, Twinhan have covered all their bases for anybody wanting a straightforward device enabling them to view terrestrial digital television on their PC. For laptop users or anyone on the move, you have the USB-based MagicBox, and for those only planning to use a single computer to feed their TV watching habits, then the PCI board will be the way to go. The entire installation process for both of these products is so simple, that you should literally be up and running within minutes, which is always a blessing (especially when the footballs about to start!).
Ironically, the biggest downside of these products is also
potentially their simplicity - The lack of additional video inputs
and/or outputs, such as S-video connectors for example, may be
off-putting for some. Having said that, such additions would most
likely have served only to hike up the price, and with the USB model
shown here currently having an RRP of a penny shy of £70 (The price for
the PCI model is yet to be decided), you're certainly getting a good
deal as far as I can see. If your aim is watching free-to-air
digital TV, pure and simple, you just can't argue with the usefulness of
either of these products.
Score
Pros
Portability of USB productComprehensive remote controls
Easy to use and install software and driver
Good video and sound quality
Cons
No Teletext support in the UK
No further video input/output
functionality
