| If you want to watch high definition content but don't | | | | automatically for you as soon as you hook up the |
| want to pay thousands for a brand new television set, | | | | tuner. |
| you can easily watch that very same content on your | | | | HD Providers |
| computer. Almost all monitors are capable of playing | | | | It wouldn't make much sense to buy an High Definition |
| 720p content (which will look very nice compared to | | | | TV tuner and then not have any content to use it for. |
| older formats), and one of the most popular monitor | | | | Fortunately, many programs are cast off air and can |
| segments today is the 24 inch and above widescreen | | | | be picked up by an antenna, and if you order a |
| monitor, which is capable of displaying 1080p high | | | | subscription service from any of the providers (major |
| definition content, the best looking format available | | | | providers include Comcast and DirecTV, although |
| today. However, to watch these beautiful shows and | | | | there are many others), they will often lend or give you |
| movies on your computer, you'll need an High Definition | | | | tuners. However, other high definition content comes in |
| TV tuner. | | | | the form of next gen movie formats, mainly Blu-ray |
| Easy As Hooking Up a Mouse | | | | and HD-DVD discs. If you buy either of these, you'll |
| Many people are wary about messing around with | | | | need a Blu-ray or HD-DVD player, so it's best to make |
| their computers for fears of harming some | | | | sure that you have the necessary hardware for what |
| component, but HD TV tuners make it easy for | | | | type of content you're planning on watching. |
| everyone to watch high definition content right on their | | | | Remember, you need to figure out which content you'll |
| computer. Most tuners hook up to your computer by | | | | be receiving (Blu-ray and HD-DVD discs, subscription |
| plugging into a USB port (just like most mice and | | | | services, and/or off-air content via antenna) before |
| keyboards use), and then that high definition content will | | | | you buy the equipment. To watch the latter on your |
| play on your computer. New copies of Windows and | | | | computer, you'll need an tuner to plug into a USB port, |
| MacOS can play this content out of the box, so you | | | | although subscription services will generally lend you a |
| don't have to worry about that. All you'll need to do is | | | | tuner (even if it plugs directly into your monitor). To see |
| install a driver (a language which allows the HD TV | | | | the world in high def, you need to go with an HD TV |
| tuner to communicate with the rest of the computer), | | | | tuner. |
| and in many cases your operating system will do this | | | | |