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Review of the Sabrent TV-USBHD Tuner
Reviewed Fall, 2009

PROS:
- Runs under Windows 7, Vista & XP (32 and 64 bit)
- Good reception on weak and multi-path signals
- Includes antenna, remote and tuner software
CONS:- Doesn't work with analog signals or digital cable (clearQAM)
- Poor application software
- Drivers don't load cleanly
COST: Around $50
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COMMENTS:
This tuner is good for one thing, over-the-air digital/HDTV. Since it’s a hybrid, it should also work with analog TV, like standard cable, but it doesn’t. And it doesn’t work for digital cable (clearQAM). It seems to take two installs of the drivers from the included CD to actually get them to load. If you haven’t messed with drivers before, I would suggest getting a different tuner. Here's what successfully loaded drivers look like in Device Manager:
The install CD is one of the small discs, so if you have a slide–in CD reader, it might not work for you. The included application is poor, but for occasional recordings or live viewings it’s OK. The included antenna will only pull in very strong signals, so most people will need at least a decent indoor antenna to get all their local stations. The included remote will work from about 4 to 5 feet and only if you are using the included application. The remote won’t work with Microsoft Media Center. On the positive side it does a good job pulling in all the local digital/HD stations when connected to a decent antenna. It works with XP, Vista, and Windows 7, both 32 & 64 bit. Bottom line, it’s a decent low-cost choice for occasion OTA PC viewing, but don’t build your Media Center around it. Note that the actual shipped device looks like the more expensive (but no better) Sabrent TV-HDDG Platinum TV Anywhere USB TV Tuner pictured above as opposed to what you'll see on other websites (including Sabrent's).
Minimum System Requirements- Microsoft Windows XP, Vista or Windows 7
- P3 600MHz CPU or above for analogue TV / P4 1.70GHz CPU or above for HDTV
- 128M RAM or above for analogue TV / 256M RAM or above for HDTV
- Sound Card or On Board Sound Chip
- One available USB 2.0 Port
- Microsoft Direct X 9.0 or above / Microsoft Media Player 9.0 or above
- CD drive for loading drivers and tuner program
Included in the package- Sabrent TV-USBHD Digital and Analog USB TV Tuner
- USB extension cable
- Portable antenna
- Remote
- Software on CD-ROM (incl. manual).
- Quick Installation Guide.

Software download site:
http://www.sabrent.com/#itemName=TV%20TUNERS&itemID=159§ion=Product
You'll need to click on "Go to Drivers" to get to the downloads.


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