Are you planning on transforming your personal computer into a first-class media centre? If you answered yes, you might want to put an HDTV tuner card on your shopping list the next time you go to a computer store to buy upgrades – after reading this article, that is.
An HDTV tuner card is a device which has the same function as the HDTV tuner box or Set-Top-Box (STB), namely to receive and transmit HD signals in the form of MPEG-2 encoded packets. HDTV tuner cards are attached or inserted into a computer, though, whereas HDTV tuner boxes are connected directly to a port on the back or the side of an HDTV monitor. HDTV tuner cards have some advantages over tuner boxes, too.
For example, an HDTV tuner card allows you to record your favorite TV shows, just as you do on a TiVo box. After all, the card is connected to a computer which provides enough space in its hard drive for you to store a lot of HD content. Tuner cards also offer a better Electronic Program Guide (EPG). As for the disadvantages, HDTV tuner cards require your computer to be on for them to work, which results in higher energy consumption. While tuner cards are also cheaper than many STBs, a fully configured computer still costs more.
HDTV tuner cards can be generally classified into two different types – PCI cards or internal tuner cards, which are inserted into the computer and USB devices or external tuner cards which are directly attached to a slot on your computer. PCI cards process data faster because they are inside the computer and are directly connected to the motherboard. You’ll need to open the case of your computer to insert them, though, while USB devices just need to be plugged in.
In order to help you decide which type of tuner card to get, then, you need to consider two factors. The first is your level of computer skills. Remember, PCI cards require more skill than USB tuner devices. The second factor is your computer slots or ports. If you do not have a PCI slot, then there is no use buying a PCI card. In the same way, if you have too many USB devices that you do not have a free USB port, then you have to think twice before buying a USB device, although buying a USB hub is cheaper and more convenient than having a PCI slot installed. USB tuner cards are cheaper, too.
Now that you know more about HDTV tuner cards, you can consider buying one – if you need one, that is. After all, while an HDTV tuner is necessary to display HD content properly on your HDTV monitor, you don’t always need to buy one, especially if you already have one. Take a look at your HDTV. If it just says HDTV, then it probably has a built-in tuner already. On the other hand, if it says HD-Ready, then you’ll need to get one. Then again, you can always get one to watch HDTV on your computer.
If you still want to get an HDTV tuner card or really need one, you can now look at the products available and narrow down your choices based on the features, the brand and the cost. The most important factor, though, is compatibility and to gauge this, you have to take a look at your computer. Remember that your tuner card will be connected to your computer so your computer has to be a good one and meet all the software and hardware requirements of the card you are buying. If you are planning on making your computer into a media centre, having a high-end video card is especially important.
By considering all these, it won’t be long before you can get your HDTV tuner card, then all you have to do is connect it to your computer, to the source of your HD content like your cable box and your HDTV monitor (unless you’re watching TV exclusively on your computer). Just follow the installation and configuration instructions on your screen. Once done, all you have to do is get a Blu-Ray drive and you can have a media centre you can truly be proud of.
