All about... USB TV Tuners

1 March 2011

TVs are not the only way for you to enjoy Freeview's selection of channels. Now you can open up your computer to a whole new world of great television with the addition of a Freeview USB TV Tuner.

At Freeview, we believe that everyone should be able to enjoy great TV, subscription free, forever. Whether it’s Britain’s Got Talent on your Freeview+ box, Poirot on your PS3 or Coronation Street on your computer, there’s a whole host of ways for you to enjoy digital TV with Freeview’s selection of channels and digital radio stations

• The classic Freeview or Freeview+ set-top box. Simply connect an aerial and plug it in to your TV
• Most new TVs now come with Freeview or Freeview HD built in leaving you to enjoy all Freeview channels without a box
• There are now Blu-Ray and DVD players/recorders that have Freeview inside allowing you to burn your favourite TV to disc
• Sony PlayStation 3 with Play TV turns your games console into a Freeview+ box

If you’re restricted by space, constantly on the move, a student studying away from home or simply using your computer as a media centre, then your laptop or desktop PC can act as your very own Freeview+ box - all you need is a ‘ Freeview USB TV Tuner’. Let us explain….

A Freeview USB TV Tuner is a small USB device that allows your PC or Mac to receive Freeview TV signals from an aerial. Many of the newer computers that are running either Windows 7 or Windows Vista will already have Windows Media Centre on them. When used with a USB TV Tuner, Windows Media Centre will allow your computer to watch, record and store TV shows to your computer’s hard drive and provide the great features of Freeview+ including a TV guide, programme search, series link and the ability to pause and rewind live TV. Windows 7 also has the benefits of Red Button interactive services, the very same way a Freeview box or TV with Freeview built in would.

Some manufacturers also include a remote control and a mini-aerial (for on the move TV reception). For the best quality, Freeview always recommends attaching an external rooftop antenna for perfect picture quality and reception of all the Freeview channels.

If you live in an area that receives Freeview HD, there is now a USB TV Tuner that can receive the Freeview HD signal. For this, your computer must have a HD screen or a HDMI output that will allow you to connect your HDTV to enjoy full high definition TV. For more info, visit the PCTV website .

USB Digital TV Sticks start from around £20 and can be bought from many UK retailers including Amazon, Maplin and John Lewis. For more information on USB TV Tuners, visit our friends at What Sat for a comprehensive review of current models.