USB TV Tuner
How Does A USB TV Tuner Works?
A USB TV tuner is an electronic device which allows the viewer to watch TV
on a computer. To make this happen, the signals from the TV are delivered by the tuner into the computer input
port. A TV tuner can work with either an analog or a digital TV. Some models of tuner work wirelessly (but
typically require a small antenna), while others require a cable from the TV to the TV tuner. If using a wired model of tuner, the signal from a digital TV is transmitted via a
coaxial cable, while with an analog TV the signal is transmitted via a composite video cable. The other end of
the USB TV tuner, as the name suggests, connects to the computer via a USB port.
What Does A USB TV Tuner Look Like?
A USB TV tuner can be anywhere from the size of a large USB stick (a few inches or
about 7 cm long in its biggest dimension), to the size of a thick book. It usually comes with a remote control
device for channel selection, similar to that of a TV remote control. Costs generally range from $US50 -
$US200.
Other Benefits Of The USB TV Tuner
The USB TV tuner also delivers some additional perks other than merely a different location to
watch the show. These perks differ from one brand of tuner to another, but most will enable the viewer to pause,
rewind and fast-forward the TV show.
The more advanced tuners offer the ability to record a show of interest to be watched later.
Other advanced benefits depending on the model can include the ability to listen to FM radio, clip still images
from the show, watching one TV channel while recording another, and turning videocassettes into DVDs. Wired models
of TV tuner can offer the option to hook up directly to the set-top box to transmit digital cable TV to the
computer.
Limitations Of The USB TV Tuner
The USB TV tuner does not increase the number of viewable channels that the TV detects, or the
resolution of these channels. The tuner simply delivers the signal to the computer. It is also important to be
aware that most wireless models of tuner are not capable of receiving encoded digital cable TV or digital satellite
TV. However, some models of wireless tuner can receive QAM digital cable, which is non-encoded digital TV; only
local TV channels on digital cable would be the main channels in this category. Another limitation to be aware of
is that some models of tuner are more portable than others. For example, larger versions require a power source and
adapter and are therefore not particularly portable, while some stick-sized versions can power themselves from the
USB port.
Situations Where A USB TV Tuner Is Helpful
There are several situations where a USB TV tuner is helpful. One of these is having a computer
record a TV show so that you can watch it later. Although there are several ways of recording a TV show to watch
later, a TV tuner is one of the cheapest solutions to this problem. Another situation for this tuner is when the TV
is located in one area of the house (e.g. the living room) but the show is desired to be watched in another area of
the house where a computer is located (e.g. an entertainment or games room). In addition, a USB TV tuner is really useful when someone wants to watch TV without disturbing other
family members, which can be done by watching it on a computer with headphones.
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