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    Built-in TV tuner vs TV tuner accessory

    Discussion in 'Accessories' started by laptopia, Jun 16, 2005.

  1. laptopia

    laptopia Notebook Enthusiast

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    As I'm looking at new laptops, I'm realizing that I'm probably not going to find the system I want with a built-in TV tuner. So I have 2 questions:

    1. Are there any advantages to having a built-in TV tuner over adding one via USB or PCMCIA slot (other than the obvious of not having to have something hanging out of you laptop)?

    2. I've noticed that to get a built-in TV tuner, you have to run Windows Media Center Edition, but to add a TV tuner accessory, you don't need to. What IS Windows Media Center, and what good is it?

    Thanks for your help!
     
    laptopia, Jun 16, 2005
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  2. Arla

    Arla Notebook Deity

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    I'd presume that one advantage of the built-in TV tuners is that they are rather better in regards to both heat buildup and speed (I assume they have a better connection into the system than USB2 or pcmcia can provide).


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    Arla, Jun 16, 2005
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  3. Andrew Baxter

    Andrew Baxter -

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    With some units that have the built-in TV tuner they have hardware specific stuff such as instant on so you can just use your notebook as a tV without booting into Windows. You obviously could not get this with an after market solution.

    With Windows Media Center one big feature is that you have to buy that OS with a specific OEM machine, you can't just go out and buy the OS standalone. This is because the remote control feature is a big part of the experience and requires certain built-in hardware. The recording capabilities and ability to quickly move recorded TV to say a Windows Portable Media Center is easier with WMC, and the whole TV recording experience is more fluid. You should look at the Microsoft FAQ for more detail

    http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/evaluation/faq.mspx

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    Last edited by a moderator: Feb 2, 2015
    Andrew Baxter, Jun 17, 2005
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  4. Brian

    Brian Working at 486 Speed NBR Reviewer

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    Not all machines with integrated tuners come with Media Center. The Fujitsu N3510 is one example.

    Brian

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    Brian, Jun 17, 2005
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