Taiwan's Compro squeezes HDTV tuner into a USB stick

We admit it: the lure of watching TV on our computer is very, very tempting, especially when we can watch HDTV programming. However, with a laptop, there haven't been too many options other than bulky external boxes, slow downloads or balky streams. Now, however, Taiwan's Compro has unveiled the VideoMateTV DVB-T, an HDTV tuner the size of the proverbial pack of gum (okay, maybe a large pack of gum) that you can plug into your USB port; they also make a non-HD version. Why settle for non-HD? Well, among other reasons, the HDTV version requires a 2.4 GHz processor, while the analog tuner will work with 866 MHz. And now, if you'll excuse us, we have to get back to the soon-to-be-cancelled Arrested Development.

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

This is a great concept. Now if only it had OSX drivers, it would be a perfect for all the pretty iMac G5s. Face it, the 17 and 20 inch screen versions are just begging for a tiny little dongle like this, and some good PVR software, to turn them into media centers, especially for dormdwellers, and the like. Heck, I want one for my PC, too, since my current tuner card isn't HDTV-compliant.

[IdoNOTknow @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Phew... That article about Arrested Development is purely opionon based from that person. It's an awesome show, and I personally like how it's done (writing, filming, acting, ect) and would like to see it a lot longer. Also, I only have a 400 mhz Dell CPi from 2000 :(

If some prominent weblog would like to donate some laptop or SOMETHING to make this thing run faster a certain someone typing this would be very happy and would pay shipping!

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Okay, you do know that Arrested Development commentary was sarcasm, right?

Oh, all these little Mini-ITX boxes (like Shuttles) would fit with these tiny tuners, also.

[Taiwan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

omg, thats so crazy! Is this what my mom named me after? LOL

Well, I know I can't afford this for about five years! I'll wait for a knockoff to show up on tiger direct!

www.taiwanbrown.com

[Kenny @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

btw -- Arrested DEvelopment is the best thing on TV since The Simpsons started to suck. Thank God for it.

Also -- TV Squad is a cross-network plug. That's worth noting.

[dreampc @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Ummm... where do you plug in an antenna...

HDTV DOES require an antenna... unless you're fairly close to the tower.

From my experience with HD, antennas (typically external) are a requirement.

[Rudy Rodriguez @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

HDTV is free with an indoor or outdoor UHF antenna,and of course a HD tuner. And it helps if you live in or near a major city.

[JackFlash @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

This is what was removed in the first generation of the Mac mini--you heard it here first. Several sites have reported on a mysterious "hole" that was rumored to be an iPod dock. Firewire connects were present but unused.

[arkowi @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

man, you people need to learn to spot sarcasm. (the arrested development thing).

[Alex @ Dec 19th 2005 1:38AM]

Apple Macs the 17 and 20 inch screen versions are just begging for a tiny little dongle like this, and some good PVR software, to turn them into media centers, especially for formdwellers, and the like. Heck, I want one for my PC, too, since my current tuner card isn't HDTV-compliant.