Best External TV Tuners in 2022

Last update: January 8, 2023

Can a smart TV pick up local channels without an antenna?

Yes, a smart TV can pick up local channels without an antenna. The TV will need to be connected to the internet in order to do this, however. Once connected, the TV will be able to access a variety of streaming services that offer local channels.

Can I use a USB tuner on a TV?

Yes, you can use a USB tuner on a TV. This will allow you to watch and record TV programs using the USB tuner.

Can my TV get channels without cable?

Yes, it is possible to get channels without cable. There are a number of ways to do this, including using a TV antenna or a streaming service. TV antennas are the most traditional way to get channels without cable. Antennas are relatively inexpensive and can be found at most electronics stores. All you need to do is connect the antenna to your TV and scan for channels. Streaming services are another option for getting channels without cable. Services like Sling TV and PlayStation Vue offer a variety of channels that you can watch live or on-demand. These services

Do I need a cable box if my TV has a digital tuner?

If you have a TV with a digital tuner, you do not need a cable box to get cable TV. However, if you have a cable box, it will be easier to find and watch cable TV channels.


SiliconDust HDHR5-4US HDHomeRun Connect Quatro 4 Channel Tuner Bundle with Blucoil 10-FT 1 Gbps Cat5e Cable, 5-Pack of Reusable Cable Ties Review:


The ability to catch live TV has always appealed to me. All by itself, this box only streams. Without a third-party app, it CANNOT record. Fortunately, programs like PLEX or their own make this possible by using the HDD in your PC to record your favorite shows and enable pausing of a live channel.The device, a cat5 cable, a power adapter, and the advertised extras were all included in the box after purchase (another longer cat5 cable and the velcro straps). The actual item is really lightweight and fits in my hand! There are only 3 basic connections needed. One for power, one for your router, and the final one is for your cable or antenna. After that, drivers are NOT required! If you're a Plex Pass user like me, just plug and play.Because it works as advertised and enables up to 4 different channels to be streamed or recorded at once, I heartily recommend this product. It appears in Windows as a Network Device, but you can't fully utilize it without third-party applications.Benefits include: a small footprint, excellent performance, two cat5 cables provided, quiet operation, and simple setup.Cons: It needs extra LEDs that flash and blink! (actually not a con; more of a choice)



SiliconDust HDHR5-4US HDHomeRun Connect Quatro 4-Tuner Live TV for Cord Cutters (Renewed) Review:


It's a home run, this! It has such a beautiful interface and a lovely design that I want to use it just for the experience of using it. I can now just buy one nice TV antenna and watch TV from my computer, phone, fire sticks, tablets, etc.The fact that it contains a channel listing and program guide so you can see what is currently airing and what is coming up next makes this much better than when I was physically connected to my TV. The interface is fantastic and one of the things I like best!Getting it set up is a breeze. I simply connected it to my router, turned it on, looked to the website, and performed the setup process to find channels. It worked flawlessly.One complaint: Since my router is not in the area where I wanted to put my antenna, it would have been wonderful to have a WiFi connection on this. But I just acquired a Netgear AC750 WiFi extender for $30 that includes an Ethernet connection for putting the HDHomeRun into, and now I can put the antenna/HDHomeRun in any room in the house and it connects to the router wirelessly. As an extra benefit, my WiFi is extended now too!It's amazing and totally worth it in my opinion. I wish I had purchased it long ago!



Nooelec NESDR Smart v4 Bundle - Premium RTL-SDR w/Aluminum Enclosure, 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input & 3 Antennas. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Software Defined Radio. Review:


These are excellent for usage with RTL-SDR. They also include a pack of three different antennas. Additionally, NooElec emails you a link that explains how to set up this SDR on Windows. These are simply amazing for the price to play with while looking at the RF spectrum or testing signal strength for your new scanner antenna! In order to reduce interference (noise floor) from your computer and other devices, you should also purchase a (SMA male to F female converter) to connect to some RG6 wire for an outdoor antenna configuration. Seeing how well or poorly a signal enters your system and how high the noise floor level hovers beneath is quite illuminating. You could pay thousands of dollars and buy a high-end gadget to do that as well, but this SDR will give you almost that precision for $25 when used with the free software. I always have at least one running, and after about an hour, there is absolutely no drift! The carrier precisely peaks on frequency while I'm engaged on a P-25 control channel, and it remains there all day. There is no drift. No greater specifications are possible. It picks up radio signals between around the CB band (27Mhz) and 1.7Ghz. Outstanding for radio-style "pirate experiments" as well. Any signal you direct it towards can be heard and examined, but the stock software can only decode audio on analog transmissions. Digital P-25, etc., signals will only be audible as brief bursts of noise. You'll need two of these SDR equipment, additional software, and much more sophisticated computer abilities to receive these digital transmissions P-25/trunking. Additionally, it can be used to view RDS data and FM radio broadcast signals. These are also audible. Although I also own a NESDR mini 2, this combination offers more value. This device was nicely thought out because the case warms up but does not obstruct another USB port. Not a toy, it is. I give NooElec 5 stars for their incredible radio receiver device, which is also a fully functional, high-end RF analyzer tool at an affordable price. They are unaware of just how great it is. For the past 40 years, I had desired to own this specific gadget. Excellent work, NooElec!



NooElec NESDR Smart v4 SDR - Premium RTL-SDR w/Aluminum Enclosure, 0.5PPM TCXO, SMA Input. RTL2832U & R820T2-Based Software Defined Radio Review:


The new design is lovely. It is significantly simpler to use these in small spaces because of the thinner body. While stacking them top to bottom may be problematic if the USB ports are near together, placing two or more side by side shouldn't be a problem.The aluminum case feels sturdy, the fit and finish are superb, and there are no problems with the USB or SMA connector. My TCXO only requires a 0.25ppm correction because to its extremely narrow tolerance.These perform admirably in comparison to the well-known RTL-SDR.com dongles. Aside from the marginally superior TCXO that NooElec utilizes in these dongles, I can't really tell one from the other in terms of noise floor or any other performance aspect. These days, only the two "cheap" RTL dongles are worth buying because they both perform equally well.I already have a couple RTL-SDR.com dongles, and I wasn't too satisfied with NooElec's selection before. At the time, I thought they were pricey considering RTL-SDR.com offered the same functionality for less than half the cost. They've won me over now that they've brought their costs into line with RTL-SDR.com and released this new design with a nicer TCXO. I'm going to buy a few more of these.For a visual comparison next to the RTL-SDR.com dongle, see the photographs attached.



AV Access HDMI Extender(HDBaseT), Uncompressed 4K 60Hz Over Single Cat5e/6a, 70m(230ft) 1080P,40m(130ft) 4K, PoE+IR+RS232+HDCP2.2, HDR & Dobly Vision, Dolby Atmos & DTS:X, CEC Review:


Received the AV Access HDMI Extender type 4KEX70-L, connected everything as directed, and it appears that everything functions properly for 1080P content. My only complaint is with the IR function. After carefully reading the instructions, I connected the broadcasting IR (little sensor) to the IR output of the TX Extender and what I presume to be the receiving IR (large sensor) to the IR input of the RX Extender. Using the device remote, it appeared to function for a brief period of time before ceasing to send an IR signal to the remote device.Extenders' power and recycling were removed, however IR capability was not restored. The IR emitter was then tried to be aligned, and this small issue was resolved. The only tiny difficulty I had to deal with was this. I changed the rating from 4 to 5 stars because this product did all I needed it to. For the distance I need to send the HDMI/IR signal to and from, it works excellently.Wonderful discovery!I have had this device for a week and have put it through its paces. This item is awesome; I used it to set up a second zone connection in a living area when there was only one HDTV hung on the wall. As though they were in the same room, I have access to every device linked to the AVR. I can utilize a single set of respectable components now that I'm using an AVR that supports numerous zones instead of needing to buy multiple Blu-ray players, media players, and other devices in the past. With the help of this gadget, I'm able to set up a second video zone where I only need to feed power into the transmitter and connect the IR emitter, Ethernet, and HDMI cables at the receiver end to access all of my media devices, which are conveniently housed in the basement in a server closet. With the help of this gadget, you may easily extend the HDMI connection to a component or device that is several meters away using just one Ethernet cable. I only have an HDTV, a blu-ray player, and a 9.1 speaker system in my home theater. Everything functions as though they are arranged in front of the television.UPDATE 3/20/2017: After three (3) months of use, the unit started to flicker the video, and it progressively grew worse. I have contacted AV Access support/sales numerous times over the past three weeks on the differences between the older 4KEX70-L and the more recent 4KEX70-R as well as the reason why DTS audio is not supported. The "R" version reportedly offers more features than the "L" version and has been updated. I used Dolby Audio 5.1 for all of my original 4KEX70-L testing, but I have a lot of DTS audio blu-rays that never seem to play DTS audio. DTS audio transport ought to be standard, but there appears to be a problem passing through DTS audio. I'm not sure if it's a compatibility issue with this 4KEX70-L version and other devices. To address the flickering video difficulties and support their published "Stereo Audio,LPCM 2.1/ 5.1/ 7.1CH, DTS, Dolby pass through" claims, I've contacted AV Access once more about the problem and would want to seek an exchange with the newer "R" version. Of course, audio also stops working when the video ceases. I'm now dropping my rating to 3 stars while I wait for AV Access to respond to my issues.UPDATE (06/26/2017): After consulting with AV Access Support, it was found that the device with which I had been experiencing visual and audio drop-outs was faulty. Jessica from AV Access Support collaborated with me to help me get a replacement unit that worked and fixed all the problems I was having. The units I currently own are operating exactly as promised, and I cannot express how much I appreciate Jessica's support. She checked to see if the product met my demands and stayed relevant to my scenario in order to make sure I was happy with how the units worked. Jessica, I appreciate you sticking with me. I admire the dedication you have shown in making sure your clients are happy.



SiliconDust HDHomeRun Connect Duo 2-Tuner LiveTV for Cord Cutters (HDHR5-2US) Review:


This was purchased to use with Plex DVR. It couldn't have been easier to set up. Plex identified and set it up right away after I plugged in my antenna and network cable. In terms of the HomeRun, there is really nothing to configure. The EXTEND version sounds like a no-brainer if you're using this with Plex because it will greatly lower the storage needs for the streams. Plex can transcode content to h.264 in real time as it is being recorded, but I am confident that my 6-year-old PC's Plex server is unable to do it with any type of quality, let alone two streams at once. The additional $60 seems like a minor fee to pay to reduce server load when recording. Perhaps not necessary if you have a fast hardwired network and server, but it sounds like inexpensive insurance.HARDWAREappears to be a well-built product. built firmly. One light on the LAN port; no buttons. Simple.SOFTWAREThere isn't much to customize besides transcoding parameters, despite the internal web UI for configuration being (charitably) simplistic. However, Plex can control the choices with its DVR setup. Although it would be wonderful if the web UI had an integrated signal strength meter to assist with antenna orientation, there is a free android app that serves the purpose quite fine.I tried both the Kodi plugin running on my Amazon Fire TV and the "beta" Android app for watching live TV (gen 1). The Android app runs without any issues, however the video occasionally stutters. The Kodi add-on operates perfectly. Since this product has been around for so long, it's a little strange that they don't have better apps, but I suppose most people use it in conjunction with other products anyhow.OVERALLHDHomeRun and Plex DVR are fantastic. It's a dream come true to see OTA broadcasts in Plex. My DirecTV service was recently terminated. Right now, the only feature I wish I had was the ability to begin watching recordings while they were already playing (though this has nothing to do with this hardware, and really just software support - perhaps Plex Live TV will support this).



SiliconDust HDHomeRun Connect Duo HDHR5-2US Dual Tuner Bundle with Blucoil 2-Way TV Coaxial Cable Splitter and 5-Pack of Reusable Cable Ties Review:


About a month and a half ago, I installed and started using the HD HomeRun in my house. I purchased it to be used with Sling TV because Sling does not offer local channels (4, 5, 7, 10, etc.) I received a free HD antenna when I signed up for Sling, but I connected it to the HD HomeRun instead of a TV.The software promptly recognized the HD HomeRun device on my network once I loaded it on my Amazon Fire Stick. On the Fire Stick, the software works perfectly. I am receiving 45 free-to-air broadcast stations with the antenna mounted in my front living room window. I appreciate the channels the antenna has picked up, some of which I've never heard of, and the picture is generally excellent. The channels will only come in well if the weather is good because they are all over-the-air and I have a low-end HD antenna. If the weather is bad, forget it because the channels have choppy reception. However, that is not the fault of the HD HomeRun.The HD channels look fantastic. The only complaint I have is that occasionally, depending on the channel and the content, I can see horizontal lines in the picture when I have a strong signal. Only when something is moving quickly on the screen does this occur. I'll attempt to clarify. When I'm watching a live newscast on an HD channel, if the individuals on the screen are moving quickly, the horizontal lines appear on the moving objects rather than the stationary ones. Only when I point out the lines will family and friends also notice them. This, in my opinion, is the antenna's fault, not HD HomeRun's.In order to enable the DVR option, I purchased a one-year license. I can save the recordings on my network using a local NAS. What I don't like about the app is that when I hit pause, fast forward, or rewind while playing recordings or while viewing live TV, I don't see a progress bar. Other than that, the recordings are functional and clear when played back—as long as the signal was strong enough at the time of recording; otherwise, the program would be choppy. Again, the antenna's placement is the issue here.The HD HomeRun app is functional on both my phone and tablet after installation and use. I have no trouble accessing the DVR recordings from these devices. The menu options in the app for switching stations, creating recordings, looking up shows, etc. are nice, but they could be improved.I believe I would have fewer blocky feeds if I had a better antenna and a better location in regard to the broadcast signal.I like the HD HomeRun all around. The setup and usage are simple. This is a fantastic option for local, over-the-air aired stations if, like me, you're considering quitting cable TV.



Nooelec NESDR Smart HF Bundle: 100kHz-1.7GHz Software Defined Radio Set for HF/UHF/VHF Including RTL-SDR, Assembled Ham It Up Upconverter, Balun, Adapters & Cables Review:


The clean, professional build quality and finish exude trust in the product. Installation and setup were simple, trouble-free, and rapid, including the installation of applications on a mac. The kit comes with a huge assortment of accessories, however in order to power the "Ham it Up" module, the user will require a USB cable. To avoid connecting the "NESDR Smart" device straight into a USB socket, it is also a good idea to purchase a short USB patch cable (the USB-A to USB-C / thunderbolt 3 converter for a MacBook Pro is perfect for the job). This lessens the connection's mechanical stress because the module is small yet heavy.Operating the cubicSDR software is quite easy, and the features it offers—particularly the spectral displays—are useful tools for short-wave listening. It is simple to set up for short-wave operation with the frequency offset, but it should be clearer to state that the frequency range has an upper limit: It is important to set the frequency offset to zero in addition to choosing "passthrough" in order to access the upper VHF/UHF frequencies.Finally, even indoors, the included antennas deliver excellent performance. I've discovered that a basic telescopic antenna functions almost as well as an outdoor-hung wire 10 meters long.



Nooelec NESDR Mini USB RTL-SDR & ADS-B Receiver Set, RTL2832U & R820T Tuner, MCX Input. Low-Cost Software Defined Radio Compatible with Many SDR Software Packages. R820T Tuner & ESD-Safe Antenna Input Review:


I purchased this little fellow with the idea that it would be a fun way to explore some aspects of the neighborhood radio culture without having to spend a lot of money. It includes everything of that.First, a few quibbles: the software available for these is not exactly user-friendly. With this device, I had a small amount of trouble getting SDR Sharp up and going. It would take some hunting to find an adapter to change the antenna port on the device to a more common size like BNC or SO-239 because the antenna connector is so small. I believe a better antenna than the standard unit will benefit this item immensely. Both of these problems are not deal-breakers, and if you approach this with the mindset that it is an experiment, you'll be happy with the results.One letdown: One of these units is insufficient if you want to use Unitrunker to spy on your local emergency services and they are using the more recent 800MHz trunked multiplexing systems. You'll need two: one to keep an eye on the control channel and the other on each trunked frequency. I didn't know this when I bought it, and I'm waiting for the ideal time to buy my second one so I can resume that notion where I left off. You can get a police/fire scanner at a reasonable price if you buy two of these units and the Unitrunker software.However, aside from those issues, this is a fantastic small receiver. With just the provided antenna and some free software I acquired from the internet, I was able to spy on the ADS-B aircraft location data, tune in to local radio stations, listen in on a few Ham radio communications (quality wasn't great on those, I'm presuming it's the antenna), and more. (HDSDR, SDR Sharp, Cubic SDR, etc.) To be clear, the provided antenna is very tacky and a terrible replacement for a stronger, maybe home-made unit. But it's effective enough to entice significant signals that demonstrate the device is effective.You probably already know that these devices were originally intended to receive European digital television signals, but they have been "hacked" via software to become more versatile receivers. (By the way, they are useless for U.S.-spec TVs.) As a result, they include a remote control the size of a credit card, which you should probably throw away as soon as you get it because it is useless in this situation. This means that you have to fiddle with it to get the capability out of it; it's not a straightforward, finished product that you can just connect into your computer and use. I indicated that I had some difficulty getting some of the freeware applications to operate on my Win10 laptop; the issues were driver-related, which I was able to fix with a lot of assistance from Dr. Google, my research assistant. It will be fun to experiment with if you are an experienced radio amateur. You might need to fiddle around a little if you're more like me and are a radio amateur newbie. Even more fun!



MyGica A681 USB ATSC HDTV Tuner with Mini TV Antenna IR Remote Control (A681 with IR Remote&Antenna) Review:


Does not operate original software? Consider using Kodi as the NextPVR frontend. The screen will become skippy if you solely utilize NextPVR as your primary source, I've seen. A buffer in Kodi teaches that. Buffering can be a little problematic with NextPVR. There is a NextPVR plugin for Kodi. Simply select Addons/PVR, install it, and then click configure. Only Change the IP to the primary PVR PC if you want to watch it on another PC, for example. This will work. Additionally, don't forget to enable UPnP (PVR) in Kodi's Settings/Services/UPnP. Only the top one in the UPnP(PVR) settings needs to be turned on. if you want your computer to serve as a server. This is not required if NextPVR is used on another computer. only if you are using a network connection outside of it. If you're connecting through another PC, Laptop, or Tablet, change Local IP to the Primary in Kodi NextPVR setup to the main PC. Suitable for me.PS: You can only connect one unit. While connected, other devices must view the same channel. This device is not multi-channel. Therefore, if you're idk footballing it, I suppose you can set up different layouts on the same channel. I love how Tablet is getting a beer. Make every tackle. I don't want to watch people kneel, but whatever. You see what I mean. It works for college.You can also purchase some of those tiny Android boxes, PSS. Scishion X Android TV box was what I chose. Install NextPVR Plugin, activate UPnP (PVR), then set the main PC's IP address after installing Kodi. In case you desire the TV Guide. On the NextPVR PC, install zap2xml. However, getting the LineupID is difficult in order to get the Guide. Look for your guide (Area) on zap2it.com, select "PRTINT," and you'll discover your LineupID (something like "SC58417") and Zip in the URL of the PRINT page. However, you already know your zip.1. Put zap2xml.exe in the "C:EPG" folder, which is located in C.Obtain YOUR LINEUPID, as previously said, and MODIFY YOUR ZIP CODE AND LINEUPID.EXTENSION must be a file ending in.BAT. To change your Extension tag, you must first make it visible.Uncheck "Hide Extensions for Known File Types" in the Folder Options section of the Control Panel, then click Apply and OK.2. Insert this into a file called UpdateEPG.bat. AVOID THESE ( )Place UpdateEPG.bat in C:UsersPublicNPVRScripts (C: cd "C:EPG" zap2xml.exe -Z "YOURZIP" -Y "YOURLINEUPID" -W -I -a).3. Make channel updates. Edit the Channel numbers that correspond to your XML. Enjoy your NextPVR's TV guide.


Do most TVs have a built-in tuner?

Most TVs have a built-in tuner, which allows you to receive over-the-air broadcast signals. You will need to connect an antenna to the TV in order to receive these signals. If you have cable or satellite service, you may not need to use the TV's tuner.

Do newer TVs have better tuners?

Yes, newer TVs tend to have better tuners. This is because manufacturers are constantly trying to improve the quality of their products. As a result, newer TVs usually have better picture quality and sound.

Do smart TVs have a built in tuner?

Yes, smart TVs have a built-in tuner. This allows you to receive over-the-air broadcasts without the need for a separate set-top box.

Do some TVs have better tuners than others?

Some TVs do have better tuners than others. The better the tuner, the better the TV will be able to receive and display a signal. A good tuner will be able to receive and display a signal from a wide variety of sources, including cable, satellite, and over-the-air broadcasts. A bad tuner will have trouble receiving and displaying a signal from any of these sources.

Does a digital tuner need an antenna?

No, a digital tuner does not need an antenna.

How can I get local channels on my TV without a tuner?

There are a few ways that you can get local channels on your TV without a tuner. One way is to use a digital converter box. This will allow you to connect an antenna to your TV and receive local channels. Another way is to use a cable or satellite TV service that includes local channels in their package.