TV Tuner Cards
- — 26 July, 2007 10:28
- What is a TV tuner?
- How it works
- Interface: Internal or External
- Chipset
- Availability
- Software
- Time-shifting
- Electronic Program Guides
Chipset
One of the key features to keep an eye out for when shopping around is the chipset used by the tuner. The chipset refers to the manufacturer of the decoder chip and can often be a good indicator of the quality of the image that you will get and the available software support. It's always best to go for a popular chipset if possible, as this will increase the number of compatible software packages that will work with the card. In particular, keep an eye out for cards with chipsets manufactured by Philips. The chipset is generally listed on the packaging, so do a little shopping around before committing to a purchase. If you're shopping at a larger store, ask the shop staff for a demo of the product in operation. This way, you can judge for yourself if the display quality is adequate.
Technically, there are two types of digital TV broadcasts: Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD). SD is broadcast at a resolution of 720x576 which is 576 lines of resolution, while HD supports up to a massive display resolution of 1920x1080 which is 1080 lines. Because HD is broadcasting much more information than SD, the decoding requirements are higher, but the broadcast image is astonishingly clear and crisp. Many channels offer separate analogue, SD and HD broadcasts simultaneously, but while HD is growing in popularity, it will still be a while before it takes over completely.
Availability
Though the rollout has been slower than many would like, digital TV is available across most of Australia. Standard definition is available in capitals and most regional centres (for a chart detailing what's available where, see DBA). All major channels are currently available in SD, so there's very little reason to opt for a regular analogue tuner these days.
If you live in a metropolitan centre, you may want to consider picking up a HD digital tuner. Keep in mind that not all your favourite shows are available in HD and there are periods of the day when no HD content is offered. It will be a couple of years before all the broadcasters make all their content available in HD, so check out the program availability before making the switch.
Comments
Anonymous
1
thanks really useful
Anonymous
2
this site is great, i have been looking for information all over the place and this site answered all my questions, thanks!!!
Gerry Hiles
3
TV card
Many thanks for the info. Now I know which way to go.
Anonymous
4
PC TV
Thanks, this site has made it very clear on how to set up and what to purchase to enable me to tune in to digital TV and Radio stations on my PC. Great site.
John Harnett
5
TV Card
I recently purchased a new computer and am running Windows 7. My old computer ran on XP and had a DVB TV card in it that did not work in the new computer. Unfortunately all 4 of the USB points are being used by keyboard, mouse, printer and modem. now if I want a new TV card I have to get one that works with W7 either a card or a USB TV but if I go down the USB track I need to get a USB hub to give me more USB connections. If I do get a USB TV I should get a powered USB hub because they are much more reliable but obviously require a power outlet. Can you recommend which way to go ? I am not very computer literate and would have to pay about $100 to get someone out just to install a TV card if that is the way I decide to go ?
What can you suggest ?
emily
6
have fun of statellite tv on pc
I had been used to watch TV with satellite dish like many people ,as you know, I should pay $90.00 every month, It's expensive but have to pay. Last week, my friend recommend me a software ---SatelliteDirect,which can watch TV on PC .Most importantly, it is much more cheaper and useful, I only need to pay $49.95 for one-time fee and can watch over 3,500 TV channels worldwide including movies, sports, comedy, news, music channels, documentaries and much more. All I need is a PC or laptop with an internet connection. I'm a newbie, so I worried it will be very cumbersome. Afterwards, I follow the steps they gave and finally find it is really as easy as 1,2,3.
It's really amazing, you can have a try. Download it with this link: http://softjohn.com/tv_on_pc/pctv.html
Brian
7
Bad Advice
3500 channels of useless crap. I tried it for an hour and have requested a refund.
There are no useful english (AUS, UK, US) channels that you coldn't stream for free over the internet anyway.
This product mis represents itelf too stating 3500 chennels of HD content. There was nothing HD about what I saw.
Buyers beware.
emily
8
watch tv on pc
Are you put off by the cost of cable or satellite tv? Now you can just pay49.5$,a one-time fee less than one month of your monthly cable bill, and watch your favorite TV shows all your time. It’s a big save ,no need to have statellite dish ,receiver or any other equipments ,all you need is a computer and an internet connection . Here you can check out more in this site ：
http://softjohn.com/tv_on_pc/pctv.html
PARKAR A R
9
TV tuner Card
Dear Sir,
I want to buy a TV Tuner Card (External) for the following two purposes:
1) I have some old VHS movies and also my camcorder is a DV camcorder, where I need to transfer all the video to my desktop PC so that I can edit and make movies (home videos).
2) I need to use the TV tuner card for watching free to Air and also Paid TV channel thru my satellite TV box on my PC.
Please suggest me which of the TV tuner cards suits best to my requirement and where would it be available. I am a resident of DUBAI, U. A. E.
Thanks & Best Regards.
jack
10
A new MyGica brand TV tuner with DAB radio
Hi, can you tell me do you know a brand MyGica whose T803 TV tuner with DAB radio? it seems like very good for me, I live far away from the downtown and DAB radio is my favorite while I am working at home.
Marc
11
I have looked for days and can not find any concrete answer. I would like to know if a) You have to have a service provider such as Dish or DirecTv in the area. b) What type of programming can be picked up? For example local only, international only, USA only?
and most importantly c) If I live lets say in Mississippi, can I use a TV Tuner Card to pick up LIVE NFL Football from Detroit, MI, or any other state that I happen to want to watch a LIVE NFL Game from?
Also, if the answer to C is no, any ideas other than DirecTV's NFL Sunday ticket on how to watch my favorite teams games without having to move back to the state?
Thanks in advance.
Mat Walker
12
We only watch free-to-air digital and just over a year ago I purchased a Compro E900F dual tuner card for my HTPC Media Center Vista box. I also installed, and subscribe to, the by-donation EPGStream system for the program guide. With this (very easy to use) setup we dont actually watch live TV anymore as we have told it what programs we like and that it should record when it see's they are on.
By not watching live TV we can just skip all the adverts (a Godsend for Masterchef!!). If we do watch live TV then we pause/timeshift when we like.
One downside to the E900F is that the Compro software that comes with it is truely awful and badly lets down what is a very good piece of kit. I have disabled the Compro s/w, except the remote control service, which helps but the remote control service constantly eats 4-5% CPU (even when doing nothing) and often the remote stops working with CPU going up to 50% and we have to plug a keyboard in and restart the PC. Even with the dreadful Compro software, it still makes a great TV and sop highly recommend a E900F (and the EPGStream system).
Hope the comment helps :-)
tumaini mwakapoja
13
i have a tv turner card (philips) . i am looking for its drivers
JEANNE
14
IF I INSTALLED THE THE TV TUNER TO MY PC, WOULD I BE ABLE TO GET THE CANNELS THAT I HAVE ON COMCAST, IE CNN, FOX AND ETC OR JUST WHAT WOULD COME IN OVER OUTSIDE ANTENNAE?