The Tizi sounds like a silly name but it’s the way to go for iOS device-owning telly lovers.
By Leo Stiles
As the digital media revolution truly takes hold it seems that the most-avoided tax in the country is about to get a major overhaul, in an effort to keep pace with the rapidly-changing technological landscape.
Yes, it seems that more and more people are now watching TV without actually using the traditional rectangular box, something that Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte seems keen to address as the Government moves to make the traditional TV licence a thing of the past.
Must-have
Ordinarily we would be sceptical about any new tax or licence but the latest gadget to catch our eye is not only is ‘Exhibit A’ in the TV Licence debate in Government buildings, but also happens to be one of the must-have accessories for any iOS device-owning telly lovers.
The Tizi is rather a stupid name for something that does so much but we are willing to overlook this because the Tizi is a mobile freeview receiver that can stream all free-to-air digital channels available in Ireland to the iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad or Mac.
Rather than being a box that sits under the TV and feeds your flat-screen with digital goodness, the Tizi is a tiny portable unit, about the size of phone and it can receive all the European standard terrestrial digital signals including the Irish standard; DTT.
It could put you in a tizzy
The Tizi receiver works in tandem with a free app that can be downloaded from the App Store. The signal is then transmitted via a direct Wi-Fi connection between the receiver and the iOS device. Once connected, the app will compile a list of all the locally available stations and then you are good to go. The Tizi also supports free-to-air HD channels and you can record programmes directly on your iPad or iPhone.
In a pickle
The Tizi is fully mobile thanks to a rechargeable battery which gives you up to 3.5 hours worth of viewing when untethered from the mains. This should be perfect for those of you who have mobile lifestyles or simply want to watch what you want, when you want.
Which leaves us in a bit of a pickle, because on one hand we have one of the coolest little gadgets we have seen in a long time and on the other, by using it, we are sure to be stuck with whatever tax the government is cooking up to include this sort of thing.
For our money, the range of channels that will eventually be on offer will make that yearly licence fee more palatable than it has ever been before, especially when you consider that RTE will be offering a whole range of digital and HD channels in the near future, so this whole new TV tax might not be such a burden after all.
Either way, the choice is yours.
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