Add an HDTV tuner to your PC for $29 (after rebate)

(Credit: eCost)

OK, so maybe now is not the best time to add a TV tuner to your PC. Thanks to those striking writers, there's not much left worth watching, time-shifting, or recording. Still, the day will come when Battlestar Galactica, Lost, and 30 Rock come back to us, so it's best to be ready.

I was pretty stoked about that Viore HDTV tuner from a couple weeks ago, but I found an even better deal: the KWorld PlusTV HD Hybrid Stick 330. This USB tuner can pull in analog signals from the precious cable-TV cable or digital over-the-air HD broadcasts from the included antenna (though you're almost always better off with a set of rabbit ears or an outdoor antenna). Let me tell you, once you've tasted the sweet, sweet nectar of free high-def television, it's hard to stomach that cable bill.

The PlusTV doesn't come with a remote, but it does include an additional input for capturing video from analog sources (like VCRs). Plus, it's compatible with Windows Media Center. The tuner will set you back $69 plus shipping, but there's a $40 mail-in rebate. PCs make awesome DVRs; now's your chance to experience it on the (super) cheap.

[vhac]

Kworld rebate = $0, zip, none, nada. You can google kworld rebate to see people experiences. I would avoid this company like a plague.

[rickbroida]

Thanks for sharing that info. I prefer to avoid rebates whenever possible, though I've been lucky over the years in that I've never had a company default on a rebate payment.

[rickbroida]

I agree that rebates can be risky, especially when you're dealing with a smaller company, but most of the rebate-related complaints I found date back to 2005 or early 2006. Hopefully the company has cleaned up its act since then. But, as with any rebate, make sure to follow the instructions to the letter and keep copies of everything.

[syn4u2]

anyone know if it's available for a mac?

[josephrot]

1. If it's USB, and IF it uses other or OpenSource software, which may be wishful thinking, it should work on the Mac's USB port. Something tells me it won't.

In a Related Idea:

2. Those of us that have high-quality 21 or 22" LCD monitors SHOULD be able to also locate a "monitor tuner box" that allows the same as above to be fed through the monitor's DVI or Analog jacks ???

Thus turning these types of monitors into HDTV (???)

[PortVista-19095313035016904102]

I was looking at my "CNET NEWS" feed and found this ad for eCost! Don't expect to get the rebate, and eCost charges around $10 in shipping and fees. Plus this thing is probably a piece of crap.

[Regulator7]

Don't bother. It's actually backordered even though eCost's webpage says it isn't.

Also, read the terms-and-conditions on the mail-in rebate. It states that 'Packing slips or printed copies of order confirmations are not acceptable'. These are the only 'receipts' you will get from eCost, so I'm don't see how you would ever actually qualify for the rebate. Seems scammy to me.

[rickbroida]

Excellent tip about checking the rebate terms before ordering, though I'd be surprised if eCost would list this item if there was no way to obtain the rebate.

[el_bowman]

If this works as good as the Viore dongle this joker recommended earlier I'ld avoid it like the plague. Recommending hardware from a company that has no web presence nor even a telephone presence is a waste of your time and money. No matter how cheap the product is...

[rickbroida]

Hmmm... I wouldn't say that KWorld has no Web presence. Their site is right here, and their U.S. phone number is 949-450-0052. Took me about 7 seconds to find both. :)

[aka_tripleB]

Microsoft will have to make digital recordings compatable with the Zune before I buy a second one. It's not like I really need two anyways, but it would be nice. Especially seems how my analog tuner will be obsolete in just over a year.

[mmlowe]

Despite all of your "It's probably junk" comments, I ordered one. The 'stock remaining' ticker went from 4 before I ordered it to 5, after. I called eCost and was told that "Wow, a lot of people are ordering this... We're supposed to receive 300 more today."

I told him about this blog and he seemed impressed. They were 59 'in-the-hole' with processing when I talked to him and he said the inventory ticker does not update very quickly even though it's got a second hand on it that changes every second... We'll see how it works out.

[Evayy]

yall missed the www.woot.com deal got one with antena and remote for
http://www.woot.com/Forums/ViewPost.aspx?PostID=1809006
Viore HDTV Wizard Portable HDTV Tuner
Current numbers (updated each minute):

First sucker: Dandrek
Speed to first woot: 0m 26.047s

Wooter to blame for sellout: scido
they had the deal with remote and antena lots of comments from folks that bought it spent lots more and still tickled with having a 'portable tv "
$39.99 + $5 Shipping
Condition: New
figured i could use the laptop on kitchen counter while cooking '
very excited about this and loved the reviews on the comments from this one
if works basicaly a lcd 17 inch for 40 ( can't beat that)

oh and used www.crusial.com to upgrade my laptop memory wonderful service from them as well.
So for about 60 some add tottaly updated my lap top!!!!!

[mmlowe]

They've upped the price by $10... Apparently they liked the increased demand...

[dvision111]

Did anyone buy this thing? Do we know if it's crap or if it works good? Iv've found an adv. on amazon via cheaphdtv.biz, but it seems they do not have it anymore. And no reviews were made. Maybe i''try Ebay.

[jeff and gina]

I'm sure by now just about all pc's are becoming standard with HDTV tuners..if not they will be very shortly! <a href="http://www.indoorhdantenna.com/">HDTV antenna</a>

[jenni2009]

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