Is an HDTV tuner different from an HDTV tuner card?
While High Definition TV tuners and HDTV tuner cards have the same function – to receive and transmit HD signals, the term HDTV tuner usually refers to an external or stand-alone HDTV tuner, more commonly known as a Set-Top-Box or STB. These are separate devices which you can connect to your HDTV. On the other hand, HDTV tuner cards usually refer to HDTV PC tuners, which, as implied, are connected to a computer via the USB or PCI port. This computer can then be connected to the HDTV via the HDMI port, DVI-D port or RGB port. Both the HDTV tuner and the HDTV tuner card have its own share of pros and cons. The HDTV tuner is easier to install, but does not always come with a recording function like the HDTV tuner card.
