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Laptop with a TV Tuner

15 years ago

I am considering a new laptop that offers an optional Tv Tuner and would like to hear from anyone that already has this optional equipment (especially those who use it to view HD TV Broadcasts). Any 18.4" diagonal screen size, 16:9 aspect ratio, 1080p users out there?

1. What screen size do you have?

2. What resolution does your monitor have?

3. How good of an image do you get?

4. Is the tuner internal or external?

5. Since most laptop sizes are smaller than a 'regular' TV, is the smaller screen size a problem for viewing TV programs?

6. Do these contraptions require an antenna of sorts to get the signal?

7. Do all the tuners out there pick up HD TV signals by default or do I have to be careful when selecting/buying a tuner?

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Comment (1)

bpgreen
15 years ago
I've got one (external, USB), but don't use it often because I don't get good reception where I usually have my laptop and also don't watch a lot of TV. When I went someplace that had better reception, it got a decent picture. The screen size isn't an issue because I usually watch while sitting at the computer or not far from it, rather than from across the room as with a TV. The device I have has an antenna, but I didn't notice any difference in reception with vs without the antenna. If HD is important, I'd check to make sure the device you buy supports it, since there are probably many that don't. There are also probably some available for very little money that won't do the digital signals. They could still be used with cable, but they'd be useless after February for over the air broadcasts.
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