Artec USB TV Tuner
Artec USB TV Tuner
Artec produces some popular stick-sized USB TV tuners. There are two main models of
Artec USB TV tuner.
Both models are digital TV tuners, but the T18AR model additionally receives QAM digital cable
and comes with a remote control, both features of which are absent in the T14AR. The more advanced T18AR model of
TV tuner costs correspondingly more. Users were overall very satisfied with the performance of the T14AR USB TV
tuner and were particularly pleased with its value for money.
Therefore, users who are looking for a basic digital TV tuner and don't need to pick up QAM
digital cable or have a remote control, may benefit from the cheaper T14AR Artec USB TV tuner. On the
other hand, the T18AR is the more advanced product with more options.
Artec T14AR TV Receiver Digital Mini USB
The Artec T14AR model of USB TV tuner picks up digital TV, and can record, fast-forward, rewind
and pause. It is a black, stick sized USB TV tuner. It comes with its own antenna and installation and viewing
software. The software tended to be user-friendly and scheduling recordings was straightforward. Like many USB TV
tuners, this one was reported to get very hot during use, even though it is vented. Users noted it was also fairly
CPU-intensive, although those with 1-2G of RAM had no problems and a smooth picture. This USB TV tuner is
competitively priced and can be considered as one of the cheaper digital TV tuners on the market.
Overall, users found that this Artec USB TV tuner was great value for money in terms of its high
user satisfaction compared with its low price.
Artec T18AR USB Digital TV + QAM Receiver
The Artec T18AR USB TV tuner picks up unencrypted QAM digital cable (typically local stations),
and digital TV signals. It looks like a white USB stick. This digital TV tuner can pause, rewind, fast-forward and
record TV. This Artec USB TV tuner is compatible with Windows XP and Vista. This TV tuner is also capable of
showing picture-in-picture to allow users to keep up with another channel while watching the main channel of
interest. Still image snapshots can be taken in a variety of formats (JPEG, BMP, TIF and PNG). For ease of setup,
this Artec USB TV tuner auto-scans for channels. Users who travel a lot found this feature particularly
helpful.
Included with this Artec USB TV tuner is installation software, a portable antenna, a remote
control, a USB extension cable (useful for the remote control) and an adapter to allow connection to a rooftop
antenna. The compact antenna is very portable and will easily fit inside a laptop bag.
Overall, this Artec USB TV tuner has more advanced features than the T14AR model.
USB TV Tuner Card
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