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    USB TV Tuner for college

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by mxyplizk, Jun 15, 2008.

  1. mxyplizk

    mxyplizk Notebook Enthusiast

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    If I'm getting a decent laptop, could I possibly use a usb tv tuner in place of an actual tv in my dorm room? Would I be picking up the same channels/would the reception be good enough? If so, can anyone recommend the best one out there? Thanks!
     
    mxyplizk, Jun 15, 2008
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  2. danjohnson88

    danjohnson88 Notebook Guru

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    Yes, a tv tunner should let you pick up the tv channels on your laptop. The reception all depends on the quality of the USB Tv Tuner and the source of the video. I would recommend a DIAMOND ATI TV Wonder HD 600, sort of expensive but gets the job done. Look on newegg or somewhere else for one with good reviews.
     
    danjohnson88, Jun 15, 2008
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  3. predatorramboxxx

    predatorramboxxx Notebook Deity

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    a pinnacle hd usb stick are great as well there like 45 now and they get hd over the air signals very well
     
    predatorramboxxx, Jun 15, 2008
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  4. Xeci

    Xeci Notebook Guru

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    I have OnAirGT USB TV Tuner, and its HDTV reception is good (I have adjust the antenna for each channel, though), but its over the air analog reception isn't as good as what I get using a $15 TV antenna.
     
    Xeci, Jun 15, 2008
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  5. CalebSchmerge

    CalebSchmerge Woof NBR Reviewer

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    I second the pinnacle. I haven't seen any reviews of them, but my previous experience with ATI tv tuners over USB leads me to say to avoid those.
     
    CalebSchmerge, Jun 15, 2008
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  6. Mr._Kubelwagen

    Mr._Kubelwagen More machine now than man

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    I've got a pinnacle, and it works great.
     
    Mr._Kubelwagen, Jun 15, 2008
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  7. Nirvana

    Nirvana Notebook Prophet

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    i think pinnacle makes the best USB TV tuner.
     
    Nirvana, Jun 15, 2008
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  8. bm2

    bm2 Notebook Enthusiast

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    bm2, Jun 16, 2008
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  9. predatorramboxxx

    predatorramboxxx Notebook Deity

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    predatorramboxxx, Jun 16, 2008
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  10. paper_wastage

    paper_wastage Beat this 7x7x7 Cube

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    clearqam support for the pinnacle ultimate stick has been better(though it took them 6 months after product release to give full drivers for it, kinda slow u think?)

    but u need a good processor to run their custom application.... my pentium 4 3.0ghz cannot run their custom application smoothly..... :(

    i would recommend going for Vista Media Center.... much faster, free guide, recording scheduler integrated into OS....
     
    paper_wastage, Jun 16, 2008
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  11. Xeci

    Xeci Notebook Guru

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    If anyone's interested, here's OnAir GT's review page on newegg:
    http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815315002

    Some cons I can think of:
    - Bulky hardware and remote controller
    - Driver & software supplied were out of date and didn't work with Vista properly; had to get new driver & software from its web site
    - Over the air analog reception was just passable
     
    Xeci, Jun 16, 2008
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  12. Wirelessman

    Wirelessman Monkeymod

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    Pinnacle is good.
     
    Wirelessman, Jun 16, 2008
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