Looking for USB TV tuner for my PC to watch Freeview

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panda123

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Topic # 126823 21-Jul-2013 00:12

Hi there, was thinking of buy a USB TV tuner for my computer to watch/record Freeview. Was thinking of spends up to around $150 max one one, can you guys suggest any to me and where to get them?

Also can you guys suggest a product that comes with a decent/good aerial since we don't have one at our house or if there is any good indoor aerials that I could maybe buy that isn't too expensive.

Thanks

sbiddle

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Reply # 862893 21-Jul-2013 08:57

First off I assume you have a newish PC that you're planning to use? Remembering it won't work on a PC that doesn't have H.264 hardware acceleration in the GFX card. What software are you planning on using?

A cheap DVB-T tuner will cost somewhere in the vicinity of $20 and an expensive brand name one might cost you $70. There really is no difference between a cheap and an expensive device except the brand name on the side.

An internal aerial is also pretty much useless unless you're within line of sight of a transmitter. If you're not don't even bother trying because it's unlikely to work.

ubernoob

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Reply # 862898 21-Jul-2013 09:10

I have a Kaiser baas tuner I use windows media centre with it. It is a single tuner but they do a twin tuner as well, wish I'd bought that. Works as it says on the box. I get all the Freeview channels, I do have it connected to an external roof aerial though. Bought at Noel Leemings Auckland, from memory it was about $40, if you're thinking of spending up to $150 I'd suggest you put the rest into a roof aerial

panda123

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Reply # 863537 22-Jul-2013 13:13

My PC is pretty old but have upgrade the GFX card last year to a NVIDIA GeForce GT 430, not too sure if it has H.264 hardware acceleration though. Dont know much on this topic but what do you mean by software I'm going to use?

sbiddle

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Reply # 863585 22-Jul-2013 13:59

What software are you planning to use to watch TV? There are numerous TV applications so your PC hardware requirements will vary depending on what you plan on using.

panda123

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Reply # 863592 22-Jul-2013 14:09

Software wise doesn't it come with the TV tuner that I'm going to buy, from what I've heard it does?

sbiddle

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Reply # 863602 22-Jul-2013 14:27

panda123: Software wise doesn't it come with the TV tuner that I'm going to buy, from what I've heard it does?

Most TV tuners do typically some with software. In 99% of cases it's absolutely useless and isn't going to have support for basic things like an EPG.

That's why I'm asking what software you're using because there is absolutely no reason to use the software that comes with a tuner (and realistically nobody does) because there are so many vastly superior options out there, many of which are free or in the case if Windows Media Center, part of Windows.

epic

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Reply # 864649 23-Jul-2013 21:05

I also have a kieser bass tuner using media centre on windows 7 and am happy with it. Yes it came with its own software but I find media centre to be much better. I got mine from Noel lemmings on special.

PSlover14

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Reply # 864667 23-Jul-2013 21:26

I suggest the Kaiser Baas tuner and MediaPortal. MediaPortal supports XMLTV out of the box and is free. Not too sure whether MediaPortal on other operating systems though. If you are using Linux I recommend MythTV but then again, who doesn't?
EDIT: The Warehouse stocks a roof aerial which is hooked up to our HDTV and works ok, Of course, thats on a good day as Norsewood has sh*t FreeviewHD Reception.