How to connect a TV tuner

Today, a large number of such devices with various interfaces can be found on sale: PCI, PCI Express x1, USB, VGA, DVI, ExpressCard and Ethernet. TV tuners are of two types: external and internal.

First, how to connect a TV tuner to a desktop computer, using a PCI slot or PCI Express x1. First, remove the cover from your system unit, and then find an empty slot in the motherboard. Now insert the TV tuner into the slot.

As a rule, you can see on the panel of internal devices multiple connectors, one of which requires a cablea television antenna or a cable leading from a satellite dish. The internal TV tuners have connectors for connecting the speaker system, as well as special sensor for remote control signals.

The next step of the connection is setup. In the delivery set of any TV tunermust necessarily include a disk with drivers and other software that allows you to watch TV channels. You will need to install both a driver and a program for viewing.

Such programs, as a rule, are very similar in the way of configuration and interface. Some models of TV tuners are supplied with AVerTV Software. After installation, run this program and find in point "Settings" the tab "Video". Here for option "Video Input Device" you must specify the model of the installed TV tuner, and for the option "Filtration" set parameter «Blend3». You will also need to check the item "Allow scaling". In addition, in this window you can make settings for brightness, contrast and so on.

Then, click the "Channels" and click on the auto-search button. A scanning procedure will begin, which may take several minutes. After completing the channel search, a list of channels will be displayed. Near the necessary channels you will need to tick the checkboxes so that they are displayed in the future. Also in this tab you can change the numbering of channels, which will make it more comfortable to use the program. It is also worth noting that you will have to enter the names of the channels yourself.

As for connecting the TV tuner to laptops, it is better to give preference to devices with USB interface. The fact is that an Ethernet cable with frequent connection and removal can become unusable, and tuners with interfaces DVI and VGA are very small. Besides, devices with USB-interface are practical and convenient to use. In general, the procedure for installing a TV tuner for a laptop is no different from its connection to a stationary computer: the necessary software is installed and settings are made.

As you could see, it's easy enough to connect a TV tuner to a computer and everyone will be able to cope with this task. The main thing - when buying such a device, determine the type of its interface. Prices for TV tuners can vary from 20 to 200 dollars. This suggests that the purchase of such a device will cost much less than buying a TV.