Avermedia AverTV Box9

The AverTV Box9 is a high-definition SXGA device that turns your monitor into a TV. There's no software to install; it simply plugs between your monitor, speakers and your PC's base unit.

You need to scan for TV stations, which causes a minor quibble. During setup, our unit saved several versions of each channel (including Sky), with differing picture quality. The duplicates need to be manually deleted and the best saved with the correct station number, but the instructions for this were a bit unclear.

In tests, the picture was superb. Your PC need not be switched on, but if it is there's a neat picture-in-picture (Pip) function, with translucent Pip for office documents. It also supports progressive scan.

The unit can't record TV to your hard drive and has no time-shift abilities, so the price is a bit steep. If all you want is to turn your monitor into a TV, this is a great product.

Contact: Avermedia
www.averm.co.uk