The 80-channel satellite-broadcast in return for Freeview, passion named Freesat, to be launched shortly, that the best way to prepare for the opportunity of a satellite tuner USB? Hauppauge seemed to think as he announced the WinTV Nova-S USB2.

For users who already own a satellite dish, for example Sky, hooked up to their main television, WinTV Nova-S USB2 should earn a decent income for secondary tuner casual viewing. Coupled with something like the Sony VGC-LT1S.CEK Media Centre in a room or kitchen for example.

Hauppauge said the tuner also enables a PC to display the contents HD, with installed software and hardware powerful enough, which is a great asset. Sky HD can be fantastic, but it is rather expensive, while the BBC HD on free-to-air is surprisingly free - after a television at least some License.

The calendar is also supported in the software, so that emissions can be saved on a hard drive for later viewing. Single-program, the daily and weekly schedule can be put in place, which should cover most needs.

Freesat is to be launched in summer, but you should be able to recover WinTV Nova-S USB2 now for £ 79.99. If this seems a reasonable sum to the party to be prepared with, and take advantage of the current round of free satellite channels, and then made now