Types of TV signals
Not all USB TV tuners are compatible with all TV signals. You can find tuners compatible with types of TV signals below. The better USB TV tuners on the market are compatible with all of the following TV signals.
Analog signals
All laptop TV tuners are capable of receiving analog signals (NTSC) from an antenna, cable and satellite.
Digital signals
Most tuners are cable of receiving digital signals from an antenna. Some are capable of receiving “unencrypted” (i.e., basic cable) digital cable and satellite signals (Clear QAM). You can connect a digital signal to any tuner but the signal will be recognized as analog if the tuner is not compatible with digital signals.
High definition signals
Some tuners are compatible with “over-the-air” high definition signals (up to 1080i). Currently, no tuners are compatible with high definition cable and satellite signals. Over the air HD is called ATSC digital TV and approximately 1,500 channels (mostly networks, local and public access channels) across the U.S. are broadcast in ATSC.
Signal Sources
USB TV tuners are compatible with the following sources of TV signals:
- Over the air
- Cable
- Satellite
Additional articles on what TV signals you can watch with a USB TV Tuner
- Watching Over the Air Signals With a Laptop TV Tuner
- Which TV Signals Can You Watch
- What Channels Can You Watch With a Laptop TV Tuner
