# USB TV tuners: any good? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [May 11, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-tv-tuners-any-good/658051 "2013-05-11T03:47:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/a9a28c/32.png) [@Oslo\_Ostragoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oslo_Ostragoth)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-tv-tuners-any-good/658051/1 "2013-05-11T03:47:42Z")
I stumbled across these things a few days ago, selling as low as under $30. I think it would be cool to be able to use a laptop as a portable TV. Does anyone have any experience with them? ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-tv-tuners-any-good/658051/2 "2013-05-11T03:53:43Z")
I have [this Hauppage](http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116034&nm_mc=KNC-GoogleAdwords&cm_mmc=KNC-GoogleAdwords-_-pla-_-Video+Devices+%26+TV+Tuners-_-N82E16815116034&gclid=CLSR0uuSjbcCFYhAMgodCg0AJA). Works very well. The software it comes with called WinTV sucks though. Seriously, it’s really bad. I use Windows Media Center and love the combo. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [May 11, 2013, 3:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/usb-tv-tuners-any-good/658051/3 "2013-05-11T03:55:27Z")
you need a good signal maybe requiring a good antenna, better than might be included with the USB tuner. the software and computer may not show a full screen video in a watchable fashion.