GUIDE TO TV TUNER CARDS

Guide to TV Tuner Cards

TV Tuner Card : What is it?

TV tuner cards receive television signals and display images on the computer monitor. They receive signals through a regular coaxial cable connector, which passes the signal to a tuner and decoder. An MPEG-4 decoder on the computer usually converts the signal into a viewable format. Most tuner cards come with tuner software, radio tuner, remote control, and infrared receiver.

Types of TV Tuner Cards

Kinds of TV Tuner Cards include the following:

PCI TV tuner cards

PCI TV tuner cards are mounted onto slots in the computer’s PCI expansion rack.
They are commonly used for desktop computers and servers.

PCMCIA TV tuner cards

PCMCIA TV tuner cards are shaped like credit cards and fit into the PCMCIA expansion in laptops and portable computers.
They are more compact than PCMCIA, but usually have fewer outbound connectors.

USB TV tuner cards

USB TV tuner cards are housed in a separate box that plugs into the computer’s USB port.
They are simpler to install and can easily be transferred between computers.

Choosing TV Tuner Cards (Buying tips)

Parental control: Choose a TV tuner card with a parental control feature if children will be using the tuner. Look for one that blocks or secures adult channels, or logs failed attempts to access them. A timed session feature is also useful for regulating your child’s viewing hours.

Compatibility: Choose a TV tuner card that supports all display formats, such as PAL, NTSC, and SECAM. For wider channel pickup, look for one that picks up analog, digital, and satellite signals.

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