Avermedia AVerTV A820 review

Avermedia's new dongle goes for the simplified approach

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Avermedia AVerTV A820
The Avermedia AVerTV A820 is simple and effiecient and supports Freeview HD - if you have coverage, that is

TechRadar Verdict

Pros

  • +

    Runs cooler than most tuners

  • +

    Solid signal strength

  • +

    HD compatible H.264 tuner

Cons

  • -

    Probably not that portable

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Simplicity is not to be sniffed at. Too many TV cards come with too many options. They're unnecessarily complicated. AVerMedia's A820 Plug & Watch is not. It's easy.

Plug it in to a USB port, run a single package (stored on a sliver of integrated USB storage) to install all the drivers and software, and you're away without so much as a reboot.

We tested the Plug & Watch on the top of a hill in lovely Bristol. When using the included high-gain antenna (a tiny bunny-ears type device with the option of a clip or a sucker for optimal placement) the experience isn't exactly perfect.

We inconsistently picked up a selection of channels, sometimes brilliantly, sometimes with sporadic signal, depending on where our test machine was placed in the house. Disappointing perhaps, but picking up any channels at all on a portable aerial puts the Plug & Watch ahead of many units we've seen in the past.

The Plug & Go has compatibility with HD Freeview broadcasts too; it has the necessary H.264 tuner, but such signals were unavailable in our test area. Still, it's a great future-proof purchase.