So you want Freeview, the 35+ channel digital TV service we'll all have to switch to by 2012. You can either buy yourself a £40 set-top box to plonk on top of your TV, or this neat little USB stick, which plugs into any USB 2 port on a desktop or notebook PC.

The device looks much like a USB memory stick, though a bit larger in cross-section. You may find it difficult to fit into a rear USB 2 socket on a desktop, particularly if you have another device plugged into a nearby socket. Freecom now bundles a short extension lead, though, so you can let the dongle dangle.

The supplied software consists of a configuration program, which scans the frequency band and reports the channels it's found, and a control program, which includes separate selection lists for TV, radio and 'Favourites'. Your Favourites list can include both TV channels and radio stations.

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When we scanned for TV channels, we found we were missing a couple: BBC 3 and BBC 4. We tried extending the range of the scan and in the end captured them all, but still haven't worked out why the scanning was inconsistent.

The software resizes the TV window to the type of content being viewed. It can flick between 4:3 for standard TV and 16:9 for widescreen movies. Though you may lose some screen area, celebrities keep their figures better. The unit provides both time-shifting, by recording to your hard drive, and Teletext display. Sound feeds out as stereo if the programme is transmitted with a stereo soundtrack.

The throw-out aerial provided is small and only really useful where you have a strong TV signal. In other locations, you should try to plug in a standard coaxial feed from a roof-mounted antenna; an adapter is supplied. This may restrict the places you can use the Stick when you're on the move, but it's still a very useful solution for anybody who wants a second TV in a study or home office.

A word of caution about the magnetic base of the supplied aerial. It has a strong magnet to clamp it in a convenient place, but you shouldn't pack it too close to a notebook or floppy disks. The distributor (www.storagecompany.com) says it's had no problems with the units it has sold, but better safe than sorry.

This is a very compact, neat way of adding digital terrestrial TV to a desktop PC or laptop. Providing you have a good aerial signal, it gives excellent results and provides over 35 channels of TV, as well as 25 or so digital radio stations. It's easy to use and versatile, displaying in a window or full-screen.