HP USB TV Tuner

HP USB TV Tuner

There is only one model of HP USB TV tuner, which is the HP USB TV Tuner KS523AA. User reports indicate a high overall satisfaction level with this HP USB TV tuner. HP is to be commended for concentrating its efforts only on the one TV tuner instead of spreading itself thin over many different models.

Features Of HP USB TV Tuner

This USB TV tuner is clearly designed toward US-based users because of its ability to pick up digital (but not analog) TV, consistent with the current broadcasting standards in the US. It is, however, capable of picking up analog cable TV. One major advantage of the HP USB TV tuner is the strong level of customer support provided by HP, which advertise 24/7 phone help and 1 hour turnaround email help.

This HP USB TV tuner is a compact, stick-sized device which can pick up digital TV signals and QAM digital cable (QAM refers to unencrypted cable channels; typically the local TV stations), and also analog cable TV (via a wired connection to the set-top box). This TV tuner can record TV, and also fast-forward, rewind and pause, giving the user a DVR-like experience. A remote control is included with this TV tuner. The remote control is very compact in size; user reports indicate that the small size of the buttons and their close spacing may be a slight drawback because it makes it likely for two buttons to be pushed at the same time.

Easy Installation Of HP USB TV Tuner

Although also compatible with Windows Vista, this USB TV tuner is especially designed to work with Windows 7. This feature is good news for Windows 7 users, for whom installation of other makes and models of USB TV tuner is notoriously fickle.

Users were impressed with ease of installation and ability to pick up channels even in large buildings such as college dorms, but be aware that those with non-HP models of PC have difficulty using the recommended HP SmartMedia or HP Quickplay viewing software. Windows Media Center, the remaining compatible software (already present on most PCs), has the disadvantage of not easily getting access to the QAM channels that this HP USB TV tuner is capable of picking up.

Some users report that the FM radio was not straightforward to set up. One easy recommended workaround that users found is to use HP Quickplay software to get the FM radio stations instead of Windows Media Center (even if using Windows Media Center as the TV viewing platform).

This HP USB TV tuner is moderately priced, but a fundamental drawback is its inability to watch one channel while recording another. Overall, this HP USB TV tuner is an excellent choice for those wishing to get digital TV on their computer, but for those wishing to additionally view the QAM stations it helps to have the HP brand of computer.

Kworld USB TV Tuner