TV Tuner in G50V-A1 ???

I keep seeing mixed things about whether or not there is a TV Tuner in the G50V-A1. One person said you need an adapter, another said it's not usable.

Can we reach a verdict? it seems so strange that there is no documentation from Asus on this - I looked at the manual and all I can find is that it is a "ant" plug. Does this mean you have to plug an antena in and cable won't work? Seems silly to me seeing as soon digital tv will be the only thing you can get... or is OTA HD included as digital?

I'm confused, please help

 

I have been told that the TV tuner is a dummy port. I never tried it out though

 

From Asus Support Download:TV/Radio (2)
Version V2.3.3.7
Description YUAN_MC770A TV Tuner driver
YUAN_MC770A TV Tuner driver for Vista 64BIT
Version V2.3.3.7
Description YUAN_MC872 TV Tuner driver
YUAN_MC872 TV Tuner driver for Vista 64BIT

Gonna try installing the drivers when I get home tonight I noticed them on Asus Support - hopefully they can be used in Media Center, who knows.

Really strange that they would put a dummy port in... I could deal with even just OTA HD but it would suck if theres just a lil plug there for nothing lol. What would make sense to me is if they left it out on the lower end models like the Best Buy version or the X1. Asus is weird about TV tuners - The EEE 1000 SSD has a TV Tuner driver so just because theres a driver doesn't mean it works

From the product specification page:

Interface 1 x Microphone-in jack
1 x Headphone-out jack (S/PDIF)
1 x VGA port/Mini D-sub 15-pin for external monitor
4 x USB 2.0 ports
1 x IEEE 1394 port
1 x RJ45 LAN Jack for LAN insert
1 x HDMI
1 x E-SATA
1 x TV Antenna Input(optional)

 

it is not a dummy. the port is definitely there its just empty and relatively hard to get to. If you were able to source an avermedia express tuner you would have no problems making it work as long as you can take the entire mainboard out and flip it over. as far as i can recall the port is on the under side of the board

 

so you need to plug in a tuner?

 

yes you need a tuner, avermedia has the right ones

 

so what the heck does the port do? Is this any different than buying a usb tuner?

Thanks lol

 

it is internal
that is better then external i guess but ultimately you have no other way but to go external

 

that makes no sense - I could understand if you needed a cable adapter but needing another tv tuner for a tv tuner? I'll let you know what I find tonight when I try the drivers

 

you do not have a tv tuner in the g50. you have an antena and a port for a tuner. the actual internal tuner is missing!.

 

so then it is a dummy? lol **** that stinks! I see what you mean now... so what are the internal tuners you install called? PCI-e? Does it void the warranty to install them? That kind of stinks!

Thanks with the stock markets crazy today I think its driving me crazy lol

 

no its not a dummy
a dummy has no posibility of ever becoming a smarty
this dummy in the right hands can easily get a tv tuner added
but yes in simple terms its a dummy
unless you are an expert in the field of ripping down laptops just forget it.

 

BOOHOO *cries*

Thanks for putting to rest my anxiety.

One more question - if there are no internal tuners, why is there software for it on Asus site for G50v?

 

Most likely because in some regions of the world, people do get a TV tuner with the G50.