No need for a huge cable box or for running long wires though the house. Now buyers can purchase a complete HDTV tuner in a compact USB stick interface.
Watching television on a high definition television set is far superior to the old standard definition that most people grew up with. HD content is everywhere now, and many computer users now want the convenience to watch HDTV programming on their computer's LCD monitor. LCD monitors are ideal for HD programming with more than adequate resolution and brightness. But how does a person get HDTV broadcasts onto a computer in the first place? Simple. Put it on a stick.
Several companies have recently come out with HDTV tuners that are no larger than an oversized thumb drive. Industry leaders such as Pinnacle Systems and Diamond Multimedia have released USB stick versions of HDTV tuners that accept the feed directly from your HDTV antenna or cable. Most come with collapsible antennas, external connectors, or even wireless remote controls, but each also has it's own set of pros and cons.
The High End: The Pinnacle HDTV Ultimate Stick
Pinnacle's HDTV Ultimate Stick combines the ability to view over the air HDTV content with a built in Personal Video Recorder and the ability to run the required software directly from the stick. As an added bonus up to two hours of programming can be saved directly on the HDTV stick in its flash memory.
These features allow a stick to quickly and easily be swapped from computer to computer. The Pinnacle stick also includes support for unencrypted digital cable, allowing the user to plug in directly to the cable company's feed instead of having to fiddle with attaching an antenna. The PC HDTV Ultimate Stick comes complete with its own portable telescoping antenna and sells for around $129.00
Luxury Plus Economy: The Hauppauge WINTV-HVR-950
Unlike Pinnacle, Hauppauge's only business is in the manufacture of video capture equipment for PC's. As such it does an excellent job of marrying quality with price. While not as stylish or multifunctional as the Pinnacle Ultimate, Hauppauge's entry into the PC HDTV market is one of the most highly rated by end users in the HDTV USB category (Source: Amazon).
The Hauppauge includes an integrated tuner and DVR functions like the Pinnacle, but it lacks the ability to record directly to the stick. In another caveat, it appears that although the WinTV-HVR-950 provides the ability to receive and capture HDTV broadcasts it does not receive standard definition broadcasts unless it is connected to a standard cable connection. The Hauppauge HDTV tuner on a stick sells for just under $70 at most retail outlets.
Regardless of which HDTV USB tuner a buyer purchases, remember that within a few years all standard definition broadcasts will cease to exist, making HDTV tuners such as the Hauppauge WINTV-HVR-950 much more comparable to the Pinnacle HDTV Ultimate Stick in terms of overall functionality.
In coming months expect more and more companies to begin offering similar USB HDTV sticks. Keep the important points mentioned above in mind when shopping for one.
