Dell USB Digital TV Tuner announced for Inspiron Mini family

Unless you're picking up a Mini 10 with an integrated TV tuner, you'll need one of these (or something similar) in order to pull down OTA signals on your Inspiron Mini. Dell has just announced a thumb-sized USB digital TV tuner (complete with a built-in telescoping and articulating antenna that retracts) catering to the Inspiron family which will start at just $50. Also of note, the company is intending to offer "regional-specific versions of the Digital TV Tuner, designed to receive local broadcast standards, including mobile digital television standards like ATSC in the US, DVB-T in Western Europe, ISDB-T 1-seg (a.k.a. One Seg) in Japan, and the emerging CMMB standard in China." It'll play nice with the Dell-customized version of Ubuntu Linux (8.04), Windows XP and Windows Vista Basic, and it's expected to ship later this quarter in Europe, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific / China soon after.

[216 Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:13PM]

hmm for $50 that'd go well with my HP Mini

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 7:47PM]

For $50, it sounds good for just about anything with a USB port.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 1:03PM]

Ok $50, but will I need a converter box?

[Loveshack Posted Jan 10th 2009 12:03AM]

@Todd

It recieves ATSC, so no.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:19PM]

$50??? sweet!
the cheapest i've ever seen for new is $70 from buy or amazon.

[NYC Coyote Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:21PM]

Hell, for $50 I'd pick it up for my Inspiron 6400/E1505. I wind up carrying it all over the city anway.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:27PM]

i want one for my U100 NOW!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:35PM]

but will the 1seg version be sold in Brazil (where we also have ISDB/1seg)?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:45PM]

WOW, just wow!! im totally getting one when it hit Japan!

Uh, is this will also work on non-Dell computer?

[000000 Posted Jan 9th 2009 1:04PM]

Yeah, what's keeping this from working on other PC's? Drivers that only work on Dells?

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 6:20PM]

@Boards of Canada

"WOW, just wow!! im totally getting one when it hit Japan!
Uh, is this will also work on non-Dell computer?"

What for? They already sell 1-seg tuners by the dozen in Japan. No need to buy an overpriced Dell one. Heck, everyone and their grandma have a 1seg tuner built into their cellphone!

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:48PM]

Yeah, THAT antenna won't ever snap off

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 12:46PM]

hehehe I think we have a winner here! ^_^

Dell +1

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 1:16PM]

does OTA broadcast for TV even exist in the US still? i'm surprised if it does, sorry for my ignorance

[LloydChiro Posted Jan 9th 2009 1:33PM]

You would rather pay for TV?

[rcappo Posted Jan 9th 2009 1:58PM]

I only watch OTA TV and downloaded TV. Total cost = $20/year for schedules direct to update the TV guide on my Mythbuntu box. I program it to watch TV for me, so I can choose when to watch the shows, and I don't have to pay iTunes fees and wait to download the basic shows I watch. They get recorded just like a TiVo would with no monthly fees.

[rcappo Posted Jan 9th 2009 2:02PM]

And that is in 1080i/720p high resolution. I put the cable money I save into an 1080p projector (120") and a 37" LCD. I am just saving money at this point since I've done this for 4 years now.

You can also buy seasons of TV shows on DVD, and I have done that a few times (6 shows, all seasons).

[finalfantasyeternal Posted Jan 9th 2009 3:03PM]

Any OSX compatibility?

--Jimmi

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 5:01PM]

I be sure to pick this one up.

[(Unverified) Posted Jan 9th 2009 5:04PM]

Here are the answers to some of the question begin ask in this thread.

http://www.dell.com/content/topics/global.aspx/corp/pressoffice/en/2009/2009_01_08_rr_004?c=us&l=en&s=corp