Trust Combi PC-TV Pop View

Taking a different approach from the other products here, Trust's latest gadget is neither a USB or PCI device. Instead, the oddly named Combi TV-PC POP View is a standalone unit that plugs directly into your display.

The Combi connects to your monitor via a VGA lead and doesn't require any software or drivers to work. In fact, you don't even need a PC to use it. Just stick in an aerial, plug in some speakers, connect the box to your monitor and tune in. Alternatively, you can route your PC through the box and use its picture-in-picture facilities to view TV in a window. S-video and composite inputs let you connect other devices, such as DVD player or games console, and the picture from all three sources can be scaled from 640 x 480 to 1,024 x 768.

There's not that much more to say about the Combi. On-screen menus make selecting and adjusting items such as colour and contrast easy, while a remote control means you don't even have to touch the box once it's set up. That said, not everything went to plan in our tests. Trust supplied us with a European model, which refused to give us pictures and sound simultaneously. Although both the UK and Europe use the Pal TV system, it would appear that there are slight differences. We either a got a good picture accompanied by white noise or clear sound with no image.

The easiest tuner to set up, the Combi is a hassle-free free way to get TV on your PC. Just make sure you get the UK version.

Contact: Trust 0845 609 0036
www.trust.com

Specifications:

• VGA
• Analogue
• Terrestial compatible
• Cable ready
• S-video/composite input
• TV in a window/ full screen option
• Stereo sound
• Remote control