Hybrid TV Tuner
What Is A Hybrid TV Tuner?
A hybrid TV tuner can detect both analog and digital TV signals, and send them
to the computer, allowing the user to watch TV on their computer. The advantage of the hybrid TV tuner over other
TV tuners is its ability to get both types of TV signal. Other TV tuners are either solely for analog or solely for
digital.
Like other TV tuners, the hybrid TV tuner has other features, which vary from one model
to another. These extra features include recording TV (present in virtually all tuners), recording one channel
while watching another, clipping still images from a show, and receiving FM radio.
Why Use A Hybrid TV Tuner?
Hybrid TV tuner is ideal firstly in regions where both analog and digital TV signals are being
broadcast, or secondly if the tuner is to be used on a laptop which moves between areas which are predominantly
analog and predominantly digital. A third situation where this type of tuner is helpful is in locations where the
over-the-air TV signals are broadcast in digital and cable is in analog, or vice versa.
Most models of hybrid tuner take the guesswork out of the set-up by automatically detecting
analog and digital channels; this is helpful when the user isn't sure beforehand which available channels are
analog and which are digital.
What Do I Need To Use A Hybrid TV Tuner?
Most models of hybrid TV tuner come in USB format, meaning that a free USB 2.0 port is required.
Lesser versions of USB are not fast enough; also be aware that USB TV tuners do not perform well connected to a USB
hub. Hybrid TV tuners are typically sold with all parts and cabling included, with the frequent exception of the
optional antenna. While the antenna is claimed to be not strictly necessary by most brand makers, user reviews have
indicated that an antenna significantly improves channel detection by the tuner and also picture clarity. However,
a portable antenna can be cheaply purchased at major discount stores for this purpose; there are no particular
specifications required for this accessory.
The computer must match the requirements of the hybrid TV tuner. Because hybrid tuners are
relatively new compared to non-hybrid versions, older computers may simply not be a suitable match. It is therefore
important to do a side-by-side comparison of the computer's specifications against the hybrid tuner's minimum
requirements. This is important because a computer which barely meets the tuner's requirements may result in a
jerky picture, or in the case where other CPU-intensive applications are running simultaneously, stalling may
occur.
In the case where the tuner is to be used for watching or recording cable or satellite TV, it is
important to determine whether the tuner requires a wire between the set-top box and the tuner. It is also
important to find out whether the hybrid USB TV tuner can change the channel on the set-top box (virtually
essential for recording shows, for which the channel would otherwise have to be changed manually). Another thing
to realize is that if the tuner is to help a travelling user watch TV on their laptop computer, there is local
variation in the quality of TV signal reception. Therefore, the quality of picture and the necessity of using
the antenna can vary considerably from one location to another.
A hybrid TV tuner is a powerful device which transmits both analog and digital TV
signals to the computer for viewing TV. This type of tuner is especially useful in situations such as travelling
(with a laptop), when living in an area where both analog and digital TV are being broadcast, or when the TV
signals are in a different format to the user's cable or satellite TV signals.
Avermedia USB TV Tuner
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