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The 5 Best USB HDTV tuners for you

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USB HDTV Tuner Devices allow users to capture free HDTV broadcasts using an indoor or outdoor HDTV antenna that connects from the antenna to the HDTV USB Device, which then connects to a free USB slot on your computer. Once HDTV broadcasts are captured, software that comes bundled with the card is then used to view, record and time-shift the HDTV channel(s) that your antenna can pick up.

This software typically includes an Electronic Programming Guide for scheduling TV shows to record in advance using the Internet.

1. Hauppauge WINTV-HVR-950 TV Stick USB TV Tuner

The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 950 is a USB TV Tuner that is simple to connect to any Windows Desktop or Notebook PC via USB. The WinTV-HVR 950 can be connected to Analog Cable coming into your house from your Cable Company or can pick up ATSC Digital channels using the included Antenna. Digital channels, including HDTV channels, can be played back and recorded using the bundled Hauppauge WinTV2000 software. The Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 950 is a good USB TV Tuner that is simple to connect to any Windows Desktop or Notebook PC via USB. The WinTV-HVR 950 can be connected to Analog Cable coming into your house from your Cable Company or can pick up ATSC Digital channels using the included Antenna. Digital channels, including HDTV channels, come through very crisp. Analog cable quality is not quite as good, but still clear. A good buy for those wishing to have a mobile solution for viewing and recording analog and digital TV on their PC.

2. Pinnacle Systems PCTV HD Stick USB TV Tuner

The Pinnacle PCTV HD Stick can tune free Over-the-Air ATSC TV (including HDTV) with the included antenna, or analog (NTSC) Cable TV from a coaxial cable. You can then use the Pinnacle TV Center Pro software to watch and record TV shows, and Pause Live TV – just like a TiVo. The PCTV HD Stick has excellent picture quality from Over-the-Air Digital and HDTV channels, with average analog Cable TV picture quality. Great for those looking for a simple and affordable way to record SD and HD TV to their Desktop or Notebook PC. The PCTV HD Stick is great for those looking for an easy way to Capture and Record free Over-the-Air HDTV onto their Desktop or Notebook PC. Just keep in mind that a good Videocard is essential for displaying a High Definition signal.

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3. Diamond Multimedia TV Wonder HD 600 USB TV Tuner

The TV Wonder HD 600 PCI Express high-definition DVR offers the ability to record HDTV (ATSC) signals, as well as NTSC signals. Attach an amplified high definition antenna or your TV cable and you can watch, pause or record analog and digital live HDTV on your PC or convert your recorded TV shows to take with you on your Portable Media Player. The ADS Tech Instant HDTV PCI is a TV Tuner Capture Card that lets users receive free over-the-air HDTV broadcasts, as well as analog cable. Just install the card into your PC, connect an HDTV antenna, load the Beyond TV software and your set to watch and record HDTV on your PC. This is a well made product that I would recommend to anyone who has a fast computer (at least a 2.4 GHZ processor and 1GB of RAM) and wants to watch and record live HDTV on their PC!

4. AVerMedia A868R AverTV Volar USB TV Tuner

The AVerMedia USB TV Tuner can record free over-the-air HDTV (ATSC) signals as well as analog NTSC signals. Includes a bundled Media Center sofware package called AVerTV 6. Also comes with an indoor antenna for picking up HD and SD TV stations. To use Beyond TV you must have an internet connection (preferably a DSL or Cable connection) to access the TV listings. You can then schedule programs to record just like a regular Digital Video Recorder like TiVo. You definitely need a fast computer with lots of RAM and Hard Drive space to store HDTV shows. The Nero Express is great to have for burning shows to DVD or CD. To get the most out of the Instant HDTV you need a good HDTV antenna and an HDTV monitor. Overall, an excellent value at under $100.

5. Kworld ATSC 300U Plus TV HD Hybrid Stick 330 USB TV Tuner

With the KWorld ATSC 300U USB device you can enjoy watching and recording HDTV (ATSC) and Analog TV (NTSC) on your desktop or laptop. The ATSC 300U includes a multi-function TotalMedia application and includes an Infrared Remote Control. With the TotalMedia Time-Shifting program, you can Pause Live TV and resume playback from where you left off. Free HDTV with the included indoor antenna.

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