TV Tuners For PC: External TV Tuner For Laptop Monitor And Internal TV Tuner For PC, Hardware Receivers. How To Connect Them?

2024 Author: Beatrice Philips | [email protected]. Last modified: 2024-01-18 12:09

The range of modern TV tuners is constantly growing. On sale you can find many high-quality and multifunctional devices that perfectly cope with their tasks. How to choose the right TV tuner for your computer, how to connect it correctly - this and much more will be discussed in the article.

What it is?

Before figuring out how to choose and connect a purchased TV tuner for a computer, it is advisable to understand what is meant by this term.

A TV tuner is a special device through which signals are received from television antennas (both cable and satellite) . Several varieties of such devices are produced today. Each of them has its own characteristics and specifications, which we will consider below.

Species overview

In the current assortment of TV tuners for a computer, a buyer with any requirements will be able to choose the ideal model. The main thing is to decide in advance what type of equipment you need to purchase. Let's find out more about all the features and characteristics of various types of tuners.

External

A TV tuner for a computer of the specified type can be connected to a TV or monitor. In this case, the personal computer itself or the TV may be off. It is generally accepted that a TV tuner of this type is the most practical and multifunctional . In addition, such equipment has a democratic cost in comparison with all existing analogues.

Internal

This TV tuner for PC is a special board that is installed inside the main equipment. It is to this board that the necessary drivers and software belong.

Hardware

One of the subspecies of external devices, the connection of which is made in the gap between the monitor and the video card.

Top Models

Modern manufacturers produce high-quality and functional TV tuners for PCs. On store shelves, users can find a huge number of excellent models. Let's take a closer look at the best examples that are in great demand.

World Vision Premium

A quality tuner that can work with both cable and digital broadcasting. The model has a built-in Wi-Fi module. A USB connector is provided for recording your favorite TV programs . True, it is located on the rear panel, which seems to many users not the most convenient solution.

But this feature has a positive effect on the appearance of the device.

A small drawback of the World Vision Premium device is that it is difficult to record TV programs starting before and ending after midnight . True, manufacturers have already released fresh versions of firmware that eliminate this problem. The device is inexpensive and boasts a good functional "filling", which makes it one of the most popular.

Beholder Behold TV H6

Excellent internal model of TV tuner for your computer. Engages consumers with digital reception. You can record digital channels without loading the processor. The device is characterized by thoughtful, high-quality software, which is very convenient and easy to use. A large number of useful settings and plugins are provided. The device is equipped with an ergonomic control panel.

Users will be able to start a personal computer from the remote control if the BIOS is configured correctly.

There is no internal decoder for Beholder Behold TV H6 . This suggests that when using analog broadcasting, an impressive load will be applied to the processor while recording programs.

AverMedia Technologies DarkCrystal HD Capture Pro

Another popular internal TV tuner model for modern PCs. It features a simple and quick installation that every user can easily cope with. The device is simple not only in fixing, but also in operation . It is convenient to use it, there is support for Full HD resolution with a resolution of up to 1920x1200 p. The recording is carried out smoothly, the computer does not experience heavy loads. Analog videos can be converted to digital format.

The internal AverMedia tuner has no serious drawbacks. Most users during the operation of this device did not notice any significant disadvantages behind it.

Rombica Pro DVB-T2

It is a miniature good quality external TV tuner that connects to a personal computer or laptop via the USB interface. The device can capture analog video and output high quality HD images . Convenient control by means of a remote control is possible. The device has a compact size that attracts many consumers.

Telefunken TF-DVBT227

Reliable external type digital TV tuner. An autonomous connection type is provided. An FM tuner is not provided, as is video capture. The device supports HD-format, there is a progressive scan . At the output, you can get video in such formats - 3: 4, 16: 9. There are audio, as well as HDMI and composite outputs. There is a USB 2.0 Type A interface.

The device is equipped with a display, timer recording and delayed viewing mode . Controlled by a remote control. The device is characterized by stable operation, easy setup and overall ergonomics. The low cost of the device also attracts buyers.

Rombica Pro Analog

High quality computer TV tuner in compact size. It belongs to the analog type. Automatic settings are provided. The device displays an image on the screen with a resolution of 720x576 p. Model with video capture. There is a teletext in Russian, the TimeShift function. There is a built-in FM tuner, electronic TV guide. Recording can be done on a schedule.

Rombica Pro Analog has USB connectors, 1 coaxial output and a mini USB 2.0 port . The device is powered from the USB port. The device comes with a remote control. The body is made of high quality plastic.

Asus My Cinema-P7131 Hybrid

Internal TV tuner for both analogue and digital signals. Connection to a personal computer is carried out via PCI. The device has a built-in FM tuner and is controlled by a remote control.

Espada DVB-T / T2 / C + FM + DAB

Small USB tuner for your computer . It is used to receive digital terrestrial and cable broadcasting. The small device supports HDTV format and has a built-in FM tuner, which is clear from its name. A mini-tuner is connected via the USB interface, but the Espada's stand-alone operation is not provided.

The model is compatible with a large number of Windows operating systems, for example, 2000, 7, 8, Vista, XP. There is an input for a TV antenna.

A very convenient remote control is included with the Espada . The device does not have a FireWire output. The device supports touch screens, DXVA2 hardware acceleration, TimeShift. Made in traditional white color.

Reviews about this device are mixed . Among the buyers, there were those who were satisfied with the device, but there are also many who found some flaws in it. Some users have noticed that Espada DVB-T / T2 / C + FM + DAB has a poor set of settings and "slow" software.

How to choose?

You can get confused in the huge assortment of high-quality TV tuners for computers and laptops. Often consumers do not know which device to choose the best and spend a lot of time looking for the best option. In order not to face such difficulties, when choosing a suitable TV tuner, it is worth starting from several important parameters. Let's get acquainted with them.

• When choosing a high-quality receiver, it is important to determine in advance what type of received signal you need. If you are going to watch standard terrestrial TV, which works thanks to an antenna mounted on the roof, then you should stop at analog tuners. If digital television is broadcast in the city of your residence, then a digital TV tuner should also be purchased (DVB-T).
• Find the right type of tuner - internal or external. Internal models are implemented in the form of special cards that must be installed inside the computer in the PCI or PCI-E buses. Such copies are inexpensive and have rich functionality, however, to install them, you will have to open the case of your PC. An external TV tuner will be a more convenient solution. For example, it can be a miniature device in the form of a flash drive.
• When choosing an external TV tuner in a standard case, you should take a closer look at the connectors that it has. It is advisable to buy devices with VGA-out, USB-, HDMI- and other relevant connectors.
• It is recommended to buy exclusively branded TV tuners for a personal computer. Today, many companies produce high-quality and stably operating devices without serious flaws. Many of them have a democratic cost, so you should not be afraid of prohibitively high prices.

How to connect and configure?

To connect a PC TV tuner, you do not need to have special knowledge and skills. Connecting such devices is simple and straightforward.

Let's consider what equipment is required to connect a standard model of a computer TV tuner

• Prefix . To watch digital TV channels, you need a DVB-N2 set-top box. Of course, you need to find the ideal machine with all the features that you find useful.
• Cable . You will need 2 types of cables: TV and HDMI.
• Antenna . It can be both indoor and outdoor. The choice of the appropriate option depends directly on the distance of the television tower.

Tuner connection is also possible with a PCA cable

• To do this, you will need to insert the wires into the connectors located on the back of the console. It all depends on the color coding (white and red are audio signals, and yellow are video signals).
• Then the antenna and TV are connected.
• Channels are tuned.

Connection can also be made using a special coaxial cable. A similar solution is relevant when it comes to the need to connect an old monitor that does not have a video input:

• first, the cable is connected directly to the receiver;
• then you can start tuning channels.

If there is an outdated monitor at home, then you can connect the receiver in several ways:

• you can solder the adapter from the A / V input to the SCART;
• buy and connect the appropriate adapter;
• if the monitor is quite old, then it is advisable to buy a special modulator with an RCA connector.

If we are talking about an internal tuner, its installation will consist of several stages

• First you need to turn off the power to your personal computer.
• Next, you need to remove the side cover of the system unit. Look for a motherboard on the inside of the device where you can see the PCI slots. At least one of them must be free. Install the tuner there.
• Carefully break the metal plug with a little force. Take the tuner in your hands, place it over the slot. Insert it there, pressing lightly.
• Now we need to start installing the audio cable, which should be included with the device. Connect one end to the output on the tuner and the other to the motherboard. Fix the cover of the system unit in the same place.
• Find the connector for the antenna cable on the back of the system unit. Plug it in there. If the tuner has a built-in FM receiver, you must connect the supplied antenna.
• Modern tuners are remotely controlled, which means that an infrared receiver will be included with the device. Place this part in the line of sight.
• Now you can start your PC.

Then you can proceed to the first settings of the new connected equipment . Most likely, when you turn it on, the operating system will notify you about the discovery of a new device and offer to install all the necessary drivers. It is recommended to refuse such an offer and install the required programs yourself.