Last Updated on March 23, 2024 by Aiman Emaan
Trying to find alternatives to buy an expensive new TV? Have you heard of a TV tuner card? If not, then you’ve come to the right place.
We’ll walk you through everything you need to know about a tuner card, how they work, and the types of tuner cards on the market. Keep reading to find out more!
Table of Contents
What is a TV Tuner Card?
A TV tuner card is a piece of hardware that lets your computer receive television signals and channels. This means you can save yourself buying a TV and instead use your computer as your portable television.
In addition to giving your computer TV capabilities, a tuner card also has the ability to record programs to a hard disk turning your whole setup into a digital video recording device as well!
How Does a Tuner Card Work?
A tuner card is a small box with two ports that gives you the ability to connect a coaxial cable to your computer. The computer screen is then able to transmit analog and digital channels directly for you to see the same way a tv screen would. The only difference is a little bit of work on your end.
The tuner card can be installed by you if you’re the handy type, or you can bring it into your local PC shop to have someone do it for you.
Types of Tuner Cards
There are four main types of tuner cards available on the market to buy.
Analog cards function like the old-school tv antennas do by giving you a few of the main staple channels you would get for free. Whereas digital tuner cards would give you the ability to watch all kinds of channels both nationally and internationally if you wish.
The third kind of tuner card is a combo card that offers a combination of the analog and digital channels available.
There are also tuner cards on the market like the ATSC 3.0 are hybrid that can provide both the analog channels as well as satellite reception in 4k resolution.
Where Can I Get One?
Some tuner cards can be purchased directly from companies that provide home tv services. You can also buy them online and through electronic retailers if you want to set them up yourself and create your own viewing experience with the channels you want.
The options are endless and there is certainly no shortage in finding someone who sells them. Just be sure to read reviews and make sure it’s from a reputable company so that you’re getting a high-quality product.
Getting Connected with a Tuner Card
A TV tuner card can be just the thing to give you access to a broader ranger of tv programming at a fraction of the cost. Converting your computer to function as a tv screen will also save you a ton of money as there are quite a few high-resolution models out there for a fraction of the cost of a TV.
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Read more: How are laptops more productive than a regular television for content watching?
