A HDTV Tuner - Get HDTV programs without paying a cent
You cannot run away with the notion of using a HDTV tuner to improve the quality of the reception you receive. This type of tuner allows you to record cable HDTV programs to your PC. You do not have to pay for this service, such as subscribing to a cable or satellite provider.
It is perfectly legal to record HDTV channels and watch them on your computer. However, if you are not receiving the packet correctly, you will not get a signal. With digital tuner HDTV you either get it all or get nothing when it comes to the reception.
If you are considering the purchase of a tuner to bring HDTV to your TV set, then you have to look for one that has the following features:
- whether or not it can tune in QAM
- whether you can download to your computer
- how well the tuner can pull in weak or multi-path signals
- the cost of buying the tuner
The top of the line tuners have the ability to disregard the weak signals and pull in the strongest ones
A tuner for HDTV can be either a card installed in your computer or an external set top box connected with a USB cable. When used in combination with a driver and the appropriate software, you can view high definition movies in high definition that are broadcast over the airwaves. One exciting feature is that you can pause live high definition programs or record them and watch them later. The programs that you pause or record are then stored on your hard drive.
Some of these tuners for high definition TV are designed for use on Windows ME, 200 and XP, while others are designed for use with Windows XP only. However, you cannot receive high definition programs, but some tuners will allow you to receive unencrypted cable HD. These channels include ABC, NBC, PBS, FOX and CBS - the same ones that you would receive free locally. Such a tuner will allow you to pause and record standard format TV programs just as you can with TIVO. You don't have to pay a monthly fee to get this reception.