USB versus PCI tuners for Digital TV reception

[Zeedok]

A simple question - Which gives better reception for free-to-air digital TV reception, a USB tuner or a PCI tuner card?

I have recently set-up a Mythbuntu system which is working brilliantly, but I still have a few minor issues. One problem I have is tuning in to a particular station (SBS in Sydney, Australia). This channel is often difficult to tune into as the signal is quite weak (~40-45% on my TV's inbuilt tuner). I read somewhere that because of internal electrical noise, internal digital tuners are less sensitive to digital channels than set-top boxes or TVs - but my neighbour said that using a USB tuner he can receive the channel in question without any problems.

So, I am wondering whether the separation from the computers internals allows a USB tuner to pick up a weaker signal more easily??

If so, I would definitely spend $50 on an extra tuner to do this.

(PS I am also getting an antenna guy to come and check out the aerial, amplifiers, splitters etc - maybe this will fix my problem anyway??)

[Zeedok]

By way of a bump . . .

I have seen a bunch of posts both for and against the use of USB tuners in areas of poor signal strength since posting this. If checking my antenna and aerial set-up doesn't work I think I will try a USB tuner as well. For $50AUD it is worth a go.

[theophile]

Ask your neighbor if you can borrow his USB tuner for 20 minutes.

[joshoekstra]

I dunno about the setup in Australia but depending on the setup I'd suspect the antenna in your case.
In Holland in most cases a simple indoor-antenna suffices to pick up the signal, in Spain(my gf lives there) you need to have an antenna alligned to the transmitter. I guess you use the same sort of setup and adjusting the antenna just might do the trick.
I don't know if there's a real difference in sensitivity other than more flexibility with usb.

[Zeedok]

I'm not sure about the technical details either. I believe Australia uses the same technology as Europe (rather than that used in the US) but I don't know how that influences decisions about antennas etc.

I am currently (as I type) waiting for the antenna technician so we'll see what happens.

[AboveTheLogic]

I'm not sure about the technical details either. I believe Australia uses the same technology as Europe (rather than that used in the US) but I don't know how that influences decisions about antennas etc.

Yes, we in the USA use ATSC for some reason... everyone else seems to use DVB-T.

Long live imperial measurements, too!!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Digital_broadcast_standards.svg
Link:
http://tinyurl.com/8bbu6e

(the regular link won't work, there is a : and a D in the URL and it changes it to this: :D )

[joshoekstra]

Well in Holland we got a system where we can use DVB-T indoor or with a very small powered antenna at the window. In bigger countries that isn't doable, and you need to point your antenna to the transmitter.

As far as I know ATSC is ready for HD-transmission as DVB-T isn't we're going to get DVB-T2 for that.

[AboveTheLogic]

Well in Holland we got a system where we can use DVB-T indoor or with a very small powered antenna at the window. In bigger countries that isn't doable, and you need to point your antenna to the transmitter.

this has more to do with your distance from the broadcast tower and the signal strength its putting out, rather than the country you live in

perhaps your country has more powerful towers or they are spaced closer together, or you simply live near one.

[joshoekstra]

this has more to do with your distance from the broadcast tower and the signal strength its putting out, rather than the country you live in

perhaps your country has more powerful towers or they are spaced closer together, or you simply live near one.

That's what I say ;) We're not that big, but bigger countries take a different approach.

[Zeedok]

Well, Australia's HUGE . . .:lolflag:

I have just had my aerial setup tweaked and can now receive all the channels with the inbuilt tuner cards. The chap who checked the system agreed that the quality of the tuner, rather than the form factor (USB/PCI), is the most critical issue. Now that I can get all the channels, I guess I won't have to find out which gives better reception!

Thanks for all the comments.

[AboveTheLogic]

I have just had my aerial setup tweaked and can now receive all the channels with the inbuilt tuner cards.

Good to hear, that makes the most sense.

[AKADAP]

You are missing two types of tuner from your list: PCI Express, and Ethernet (see HD HomeRun).

[Zeedok]

from your list

Don't really have a list, just trying to solve a problem (which I did thanks to my aerial man)!!

I will check out the Home Run though . . .