What if, for some reason, you do not have a TV, but you want to watch TV programs? In such a situation, a TV tuner will help out. Such a device in the form of a set-top box to a computer or a separate electronic board guarantees the reception of television broadcasting from an antenna, from satellite or cable television.
Traditionally, television tuners are classified into three types. The internal TV tuner is installed in the personal computer and will only work when it is turned on. Such a device will require specialized software and drivers. It is the cheapest. An external tuner in the form of a set-top box for a computer or laptop works through the USB port. Software and drivers are also required for it. As a rule, such a tuner functions when the computer is turned on, but exceptions are possible for combined models. The cost of an external tuner is slightly higher than an internal one. There is also an external hardware TV tuner. This device, belonging to a higher price category, is included in the circuit between the monitor and the video card, so the processor does not matter to it, it will work even when the computer is turned off. Of course, you need speakers and the monitor itself. If you are looking for high functionality and low price, opt for an internal TV tuner. In addition to receiving programs from an external antenna or cable, such a tuner often allows you to listen to radio in the FM range. Additional features of the internal tuner include the ability to program the recording of certain programs - both by a built-in command and at a set time. External tuners with USB connection are often not inferior in terms of the number of functions to internal ones, but they do not always guarantee high signal quality, and also tend to "hang". Their undoubted advantage is the ability to quickly connect the device to a computer and immediately start watching programs. Since an external device requires additional space, it is not always convenient to use it in combination with a laptop. The hardware version of the external TV tuner is good in that it allows you to turn any monitor into a full-fledged TV receiver and provides the highest quality image. The only drawback of the hardware tuner is that when the computer is turned off, it does not allow you to record programs if necessary. If you are interested in recording programs, purchase an internal TV tuner, and if watching TV in comfort is more important for you, opt for an external hardware device.
