Elgato Tivizen iOS Wi-Fi TV tuner

Lurking within tent

The device's wireless network is initially open, but does support WPA 2 security. While you might not care about the security of a link used solely to beam over TV programmes, since the hardware can feed only one iDevice at once, you may want to put in place a password to prevent some crafty herbert nabbing your feed.

Net connectivity is maintained through 3G while you're linked to the WLAN.

The other point to note about the hardware is its ability as a tuner, which is impressive. Freeview pick-ups with compact antennae tend not to perform too well in the UK, though the once the long drawn out demise of analogue telly is done, it will hopefully improve.

An initial scan for channels found 32 of them, rather more than I usually get with USB-connected tuners that likewise rely on wee aerials.

The catch is that while that means Elgato's software lists more channels, they aren't necessarily available with a sufficiently high signal quality to watch, and a number of times I tapped on a listed channel only to be presented with a bald "No Signal" message even when there's clearly enough signal for the hardware and software to read the EPG data sent out.

The current and the next programme are listed, and you can re-order the channel listing. You can't hide channels you don't want to view.