I was looking at the specs for the new PCTV HD mini Stick here, which currently says that it has for inputs

Inputs

• TV antenna input (F- connector/Coaxial)

Well...looking at the little animation of the stick in the "Watch the HD mini Stick Overview" link, I can tell you very definitively that there is NOT an F-connector on that device featured in the animation.  Not having one in my hand, I can't tell you for sure what kind of connector it has, but it APPEARS to be something akin to an MCX connector.

So either the animation doesn't match the hardware, or the hardware doesn't match Pinnacle's printed spec.

Therefore, either way, something is out of kilter.  Agreed?

Guessing that the device must ship with some sort of adapter to adapt F to ?MCX?

yes, it comes with an adapter if you don't want to use the antenna, which is shipped with the product.

So the online spec is indeed incorrect?  You shouldn't claim that the input is an F connector if the input to the device isn't an F connector...should you?

the device is to small to have such a connector, that's why it's shipped with an adapter connection. Since the promised connection type is provided through this adapter, I don't see the point.

Just curious, that's all.  It just seemed odd to me that the specs very specifically claim a type of connector that isn't on the device, but is rather addressed by an adapter.  A friction-fit connector (or in the case that the pictured connector really is an MCX connector, possibly "friction-fit with a snap-in detent") has both benefits as well as drawbacks.   (Example:  On the plus side, kicking the cable may cause the cable to pop out of the connector rather than yanking the adapter out of the USB slot.  On the minus side, MCX connectors are typically rated for 500 make/break cycles before they start to lose retention, and can easily be broken by pulling them sideways.)

This makes me wonder: Is the adapter a "pigtail", or is it a "rigid" unit which could add additional lateral stress to the USB port?

And regardless:  Will Pinnacle sell individual adapters/antennae?  If an adapter or antenna is lost/broken/whatever, what recourse does a user have?  (MCX-to-F adapters not being all that popular in Radio Shack or Best Buy...)

Guess all that's bugging me is the idea that the spec could simply say something like "75 ohm antenna connection" and leave it at that, which would be accurate...and the "contents" could list the antenna, the adapter, the remote, the USB extender cable, etc.  (there *is* an extender cable---right?) for those interested in HOW the connection is made.

BittMann

the stick comes with a short USB extension cord, so no extra stress to the USB port suffered.

If the adapter is broken, you can get a new one via Emailsupport for free.