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Get a KWorld USB TV tuner for $19.99, shipped

Turn your Windows 7 PC into a powerful DVR with this antenna-powered HD tuner.

Rick Broida Senior Editor
Rick Broida is the author of numerous books and thousands of reviews, features and blog posts. He writes CNET's popular Cheapskate blog and co-hosts Protocol 1: A Travelers Podcast (about the TV show Travelers). He lives in Michigan, where he previously owned two escape rooms (chronicled in the ebook "I Was a Middle-Aged Zombie").
Rick Broida
3 min read
For just $20, this KWorld tuner can turn your Windows 7 PC into a DVR.
For just $20, this KWorld tuner can turn your Windows 7 PC into a DVR. Newegg

Cord-cutters of the world, unite!

Hey, that sounds familiar. Oh, right, I'm plagiarizing myself: That's how I kicked off last month's post about the Mohu Leaf antenna, which helps you tune in locally broadcast TV stations. You can plug it directly into your TV or, better yet, a tuner connected to your PC.

Today, let's talk about the latter. Until tomorrow, or it sells out, Newegg has the KWorld UB435-Q USB TV tuner for $19.99, shipped. That's after applying coupon code VDTV4JU at checkout. (As with most such Newegg deals, you must be a registered user/newsletter subscriber in order to use the code.)

Update: In the event this sells out (as one user already reported it has), Meritline has the Mygica A680B USB HDTV tuner for $25.99, shipped. Very similar product, but it includes a remote!

Update No. 2: Yep, sold out. But sharp-eyed reader ncwebb found the same tuner at Amazon for the same price.

It works like this: Plug the tuner into a PC running Windows 7, connect a decent antenna, then fire up Windows Media Center and run through the TV-signal-setup process. In short order you should be able to watch all your local channels in all their high-def goodness.

Even better, you'll be able to time-shift them: pause, rewind, quick-skip, and, best of all, record. It's true: Windows Media Center + TV tuner = pretty darn good DVR. I've used this kind of configuration for years, and much as I'm mad at Microsoft for perpetually mishandling the product (and booting it from Windows 8 altogether), I still totally dig it.

The KWorld tuner comes with a small, telescoping antenna, which may be sufficient depending on where you live. But you'll probably have better luck with an old set of rabbit ears or something like the aforementioned Mohu Leaf. (Check out AntennaWeb.org for help with antenna needs.)

I should note that the user reviews for this product are somewhat mixed. Some folks encountered driver issues while others received DOA units, but the majority of customers had a four- or five-star experience. My advice would be to get this only if you have Windows 7, and to grab the latest drivers from KWorld's support page.

Bottom line: For 20 bucks out the door, you can watch and record local channels on your PC. That's one seriously awesome solution for folks looking to cut the cable-TV cord. Your thoughts? Have you found another inexpensive tuner that's as good or better?

Bonus deal: Need some supplemental power for your iDevice? Today only, and while supplies last, JustDeals has the Tylt Zumo portable battery pack for $1.99, plus $5 for shipping. (At press time, it's the third item down in the product listing on the right; just mouse over it to see the details.) This 1,500mAh mobile battery includes two stowaway arms: one for charging (via USB), one for Apple 30-pin devices (iPhone 4/4S, previous-gen iPods, and so on). Price over at Amazon: $34.12!

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