A USB TV tuner is essentially an HDTV tuner for your computer. If your computer has a decent monitor and video card the picture quality and sound quality are very good. A USB TV tuner also turns your computer into a Digital Video Recorder (DVR). Tuners work with laptop, notebook and desktop computer systems and you can watch, or listen, to television while you work by letting it play in the background or in a minimized window or you can enjoy it in full screen mode.
You can pause, rewind and record live television to your hard drive. It has a super slick interface that makes it easy to select live TV program, watch a previously recorded program and schedule future recordings. Windows Media Center is free and is included with all Windows XP, Windows Vista and Windows 7 computers and includes free access to an online programming guide.
The video below shows how easy it is to set up a USB TV tuner and record television shows using Microsoft Windows Media Center. The video demonstrates Windows Media Center using Windows 7 but it also works with Windows XP and Vista.
USB Tuners vs. Tuner Cards
USB TV tuners have become much more popular than TV tuner cards that are installed as a PCI card. TV tuner cards require you to open your computer case to install it into your motherboard. USB TV tuner installation is as simple as plugging it into a USB port. This makes moving a the tuner between computers very easy and also makes them very easy to use with laptop computers.
USB TV Tuner Choices
USB Tuner Styles
USB TV tuners are available in stick format (very similar in size to a USB memory stick) and in desktop versions (about the the size of a paperback book). Desktop versions have their own on-board processor so they use less processing power from your personal computer. If you plan on using the tuner in only one location consider a desktop model since it will give you slightly better performance. In most instances, a USB TV tuner stick makes the most sense since it is more portable and takes up less room.
Tuner Manufacturers
There are a number of USB TV tuner manufacturers but only a few that I recommend based on their reliability history and commitment to producing and supporting their TV tuners. For some manufacturers, TV tuners represent only a very small percentage of their business so there is some concern regarding their long-term commitment to them which could affect support and warranty issues which is why I am very high on Hauppauge tuners because tuners are what they do.
Type of TV Signal
Not every TV tuner is compatible with every type of signal. Most signals (cable, satellite and over the air) are now in digital but there are different types of digital signals and possibly still a few analog cable broadcasts left. The cheaper tuners are generally compatible with less types of signals. If you are unsure of what type of signal you have or what type you will try to use with your tuner you should buy a mid to higher end tuner to ensure it will be compatible with whatever type of signal you want to watch.
You can watch unencrypted QAM cable channels without a set top box but if you want to watch additional satellite or cable channels you will need to connect the tuner to a set top box.
Other Options
Antennas – Most USB TV tuners come with either a built in antenna or a small external desktop antenna (about the size of a beer bottle) but if you plan on watching over the air signals on your TV tuner it is recommended that you buy an upgraded antenna (about $30). Signal strength can vary greatly based on how far you live from the broadcast antenna and how direct the signal is (the signal will be weaker in an interior room with no windows or in a basement).
Other options – Some USB TV tuners come with a remote control and some have a built in FM radio receiver to listen to music. Some units have 2 tuners. If you want the ability to watch one channel while recording another channel look for a dual tuner model.
Most tuners come with video capture ability which will let you connect your computer to a VHS machine and record VHS tapes on your hard drive. You can then edit the videos and burn them to a DVD if you want. A great way to preserve memories recorded on VHS tapes and very economical compared to services which will do this for you.
High Definition (HDTV) USB Tuners
USB TV tuners are currently only compatible with high definition (HDTV) signals from over the air broadcasts, not from cable or satellite signals. To fully appreciate high def broadcasts you will need a computer monitor which has a resolution capable of displaying hi def (generally 780i is sufficient). Most prime time network shows are now broadcast in HD.
Choosing a Tuner
- See my recommended USB TV tuner section and my USB TV tuner reviews for help choosing the best USB TV tuner for your needs.
- If you are unsure about how well a particular tuner works in the hands of consumers just like you read some the hundreds of customer reviews.
