Tune into HDTV on your PC with $35 USB tuner
(Credit:
Buy.com)
I've made no secret of my love for turning PCs into HDTVs. All you need is a tuner that pulls down over-the-air HD signals. I've spotlighted a few bargains in the past, but usually you had to wait on a rebate. Not so the KWorld PlusTV ATSC 340U, which Buy.com has on sale for $34.99 shipped--no rebate required!
The PlusTV is strictly an ATSC/Clear QAM tuner, meaning you need to use its included antenna (or your own rabbit ears). However, if you're a cable subscriber and your cable company broadcasts Clear QAM signals (i.e. digital cable without a digital cable box), you can go that route as well (though you may not get actual HD programming that way).
KWorld's tuner comes with ArcSoft TotalMedia, which lets you watch and record shows DVR-style. It should work with Windows Media Center and other media-center apps as well. The bundled software also lets you burn recorded shows to DVD.
I haven't tried this tuner myself, but I've seen only positive user reviews (including this informative one from an Amazon customer). There's still time to catch the Final Four in HD (go Spartans!), and you can do it for a mere 35 bucks.
Rick Broida, a technology writer for nearly 20 years, is the author of more than a dozen books. In addition to writing CNET's The Cheapskate blog, he oversees BNET's Business Hacks. Rick is a member of the CNET Blog Network and is not an employee of CBS Interactive. Disclosure. Deals found on The Cheapskate are subject to availability, expiration, and other terms determined by sellers. Follow Rick on Twitter at cheapskateblog. 
These USB-tuner devices are junk and can`t hold a candle to a full-on card. ATI also gives you a much better antenna. You get what you pay for.
- by GadgetConsumer April 19, 2008 8:25 AM PDT
- BEWARE of BUY.COM promos. They are currently taking $50 off on a $51 purchase when signing up for a RevolutionCard account. They don't mention that all sales are final when using a coupon. They gave me a return authorization for an unopened product. Buy.com confirmed that they received the product back, and promised a refund to my credit card within 7 business days. 3 weeks later, they said "no refunds" and won't even send the unopened product back to me.
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(6 Comments)If they aren't going to follow their own refund policy, they need to give the merchandise back to the buyer. BUY.com is obviously getting some kind of financial benefit from RevolutionCard. At the very least, they should send back the item to me, and not just keep it, re-sell it, and double their profit. As of this writing, there are over 600 consumer complaints logged with the Better Business Bureau regarding Buy.com?s handling of refunds. Buyers beware!