High Tech Gadgets and Electronics

High Definition System Components

Many people are led to believe that they will enjoy the HD experience just buy buying a High Definition TV. Well, that’s not the whole story. To truly get HDTV, you will need more than just the television itself. You will need to subscribe to HD programming and buy a few accessories like HDTV tuners.

What are HDTV Tuners?

HDTV tuners are also known as HDTV receivers or HDTV decoders, precisely because those are the two main functions of an HDTV tuner. First, the HDTV tuner receives the HD signals, whether from your cable or satellite TV provider, Blu-Ray player or HDTV-capable video game console, then decodes and processes them so they can be displayed properly on your HDTV. If you do not have an HDTV tuner, you will only receive regular TV signals, which means you won’t get to enjoy the superior picture quality offered by your HDTV.

Is an HDTV tuner different from an HDTV tuner card?

Yes. An HDTV tuner and an HDTV tuner card differ in a few ways, mainly in how they are connected. An HDTV tuner is connected directly to the HDTV monitor while an HDTV tuner card connects to either the USB or PCI port of a computer. Also, HDTV tuners are box-like devices, which is why they are often referred to as Set-Top-Boxes (STBs), while HDTV tuner cards are slimmer and smaller. An HDTV tuner can also be a stand-alone device while you will need to have the computer turned on for the HDTV tuner card to work. In addition, the HDTV tuner is easier to set up and generally more stable than an HDTV tuner card.

Is an HDTV tuner different from an HDTV converter?

An HDTV tuner and an HDTV converter are two different devices. An HDTV tuner is used with HDTVs and simply receives and transmits HD signals. In contrast, an HDTV converter is used with analog or regular TVs and, as the name implies, converts digital signals into analog signals, allowing you to still receive HDTV broadcast signals.

Do I need an HDTV tuner?

The answer to this question depends on the type of HDTV that you have. If you have a full HDTV monitor or an HDTV with a built-in tuner, then purchasing an external one is not necessary. If you have just an HD-Ready TV, though, you will need to buy an HDTV tuner in order to receive signals in High Definition.

What is the average price of a High Definition TV tuner?

The average price of an HDTV tuner ranges from $80 to over $400. This depends on the brand of the HDTV, as well as the features.

How do I install my HDTV tuner?

Installing an HDTV tuner should be relatively easy. The most important thing is to connect it properly to your HDTV. Depending on the type of tuner you have, you should be able to find a port at the back or the side of your HDTV to connect it to. You should also be able to connect it to your antenna or other sources of HD content in order to receive the HD signals for it to transmit to your HDTV. When in doubt, consult your manual.

What HDTV tuner should I get?

Many cable and satellite TV providers offer their own HDTV tuners, which can spare you the trouble of shopping for your own. If yours does not, though, there are many for you to choose from. You can even buy your HDTV tuner online. To know which one, simply consider the features. The brand is important, too, not just so you can be assured of quality, but to ensure its compatibility with your HDTV. Take note that buying an HDTV tuner with the same brand as your HDTV is not required, although it is recommended if possible.

Tags: HDTV converter, HDTV monitor, HDTV tuner, HDTV tuner card

Can I Listen to the Radio on my Computer

Did you know that any computer can be used as a radio receiver? All it takes is an Internet connection, some software and a few quick tips and you are all set.

First off you should know that people and radio stations have set up Internet stations all over the world. In the USA you can listen to  National Public Radio and in Canada there is the CBC and the UK has the BBC Radio. These are either archived broadcasts or live broadcasts of public radio programs. If you are in range then you can listen just like normal radio. Some Internet radio stations like ChoiceRadio and Moontaxi, where built especially to work  on the Internet.

How to turn your computer into a radio

In order to use your PC as a radio you will need to download a media player. A good choice is Microsoft Windows Media Player 11. A couple of other down-loadable media players you can use are RealOne and QuickTime.

Using Windows Media Player is easy. Start the player, click the Radio button ( top right-hand corner) and then choose from the list of radio stations. You will notice each has playlists of songs by genre or niche, like Country, Classic Rock, Jazz, Contemporary – just about anything you desire.

Search for music online

There are plenty of sites online that let you pick radio stations to listen to. One of my favorites is Live365.com and you will find lots of styles to choose from with them.

You can also listen to your own local radio stations – most have web sites that broadcast their music and programs in real time. Just search in Google for your favorite local radio station and visit their web page for more instructions.

To improve the sound quality you can now find computer speakers cheaply (Under $200) and hook them up to a head phone jack or a USB port.

And that is it! Your are all set to enjoy your favorite radio programs from the convenience of your laptop computer.

Tags: BBC, CBC, Live 365, NPR, Online Radio Stations, Windows Media Player