If you’re looking for a way to get a clearer picture of what’s happening on your favorite shows, you may want to consider investing in a TV tuner. There are plenty of reasons to choose one over the other, but the most important one is that a TV tuner can help you save a lot of money.
You may be wondering what is the best TV tuner for Mac for watching live TV. There are several types of tuners available for Mac users, but some are more popular than others.
In this post, I’ll compare the top-rated external Mac TV tuners so you can determine which one is the best. I’ll also take a look at the features you should consider when purchasing a TV tuner.
Best Mac TV Tuners Comparison Chart
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5 Best TV Tuners For Mac Reviews
So, here we have come to the most important section of this article I will review each tuner and tell my honest opinion I have personally picked all these tuners and made this article:
1. SiliconDust HDHomeRun Flex 4K ATSC 3.0 NextGen TV: 2/4 Tuners HDFX-4k – Best ATSC TV Tuner
SiliconDust HDHomeRun is one of the best performing external ATSC 3.0 TV tuner for Macbook Available on the market today. If you’re looking for a solid TV tuner that will allow you to connect your mac to a single streaming device, this is one of the best options out there. This is the most advanced version of the HDHomeRun Flex 4K, and it comes with a bunch of new features that make it even better than the previous model.
It has four tuners, including two ATSC tuners (one of them is a high-quality UHF tuner), so you can watch live TV on multiple devices simultaneously. This means you can watch on your big-screen TV, and also stream to other devices like your Macbook or phone. So this makes it the best ATSC 3.0 tv tuner.
This TV tuner comes with a USB hard drive (HDHomeRun Flex 4K required) which allows you to record content from all four tuners on the device, so you can keep up with your favorite shows and movies at any time.
It also has a built-in DVR by connects to an external USB hard drive, and it works with most DVRs that support XBoxOne AppleTV Android FireTV and LG devices. You can also connect it to your PC or Mac via a USB port and record over the internet using the free SiliconDust TV guide app.
The HDHomeRun Flex 4K ATSC NextGen TV: 2/4 Tuners HDFX-4k is compatible with most of the top streaming platforms. So whether you want to stream 4K UHD content from Netflix, Amazon, or HBO, this is one of the best options out there.
Pros:
- Easy to set up.
- Great picture quality.
- Comes with ATSC.
- Can be watched on 40+ channels for free
Cons:
- Bit expensive but justify the price.
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2. HAUPPAUGE WinTV – Best USB TV tuner for Mac
The Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD is a great USB TV tuner that will let you watch free over-the-air TV on your Macbook. It comes with a built-in ATSC tuner, which means you don’t need a separate antenna to watch TV.
It’s designed for those who want to watch television on their PC, but also like to have all their recordings, so they can watch them on the go. It has dual USB ports, so you can plug it into a USB port and use the included remote control to switch between channels.
The Hauppauge ATSC 3.0 over-the-air tuner allows you to watch your local channels full screen or in a window on your Windows 10, 8, 7, or Mac.
The WinTV-DualHD is a dual tuner, so you can record two channels at once while watching another, or have two complete windows open simultaneously. It also supports picture-in-picture (PiP). If you have an Android, Linux, or Windows-based Plex Media Server, you can use the WinTV-dual HD to bring live TV to your Plex system!
Note: for use with Plex, you need to have a Plex Pass and need to use the latest version of Plex.
It also includes the Hauppauge WinTV v10 application, so you can easily manage and control the device. You can download it from the Hauppauge website.
In my opinion, this is a great device if you are looking for the best portable USB Tv tuner for your MacBook.
Pros:
- Works very well with Macs.
- Easy to use and a portable tuner.
- Dual Tuner for Plex DVR Function
Cons:
- Complicated to install software
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3. iView 3300STB ATSC Converter Box – Best Digital Tv Tuner
Iview 3300STB is the world’s most powerful digital TV Tuner box. It’s been tested by Consumer Reports, NRC, and by me, and it has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars rating.
This device is equipped with a number of advanced features, including a QAM tuner, ATSC converter, digital clock, HDMI, and USB ports. This means you can use it for TV viewing, streaming, or recording on your Mac.
With this, you’ll be able to stream or record live TV from any TV channel and watch TV programs on your MacBook or computer. The iView 3300STB is capable of receiving signals from over 60 channels. It even supports recording up to 4TB external hard drives.
The iView 3300STB is compatible with all major brands of analog TVs. It comes with remote control and can operate up to three TVs at the same time. It also has an integrated digital clock. You can set the time, date, and alarm through the remote control.
iView 3300STB is very easy to use. Just plug it into your TV, laptop or computer and you’re ready to go. For the first time in years, you can finally stop paying for a cable TV subscription and enjoy all the free TV content available to you on your own terms.
Pros:
- Works well with multi-features.
- Best External Tv Tuner for mac.
- Comes without any Antenna hookup
Cons:
- Works well but is hard to use.
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4. Mediasonic ATSC Digital Converter Box – Digital Tv Tuner For Macs
The Mediasonic ATSC Digital TV Tuner is a digital tuner box that can connect to your HDTV, laptop, or other devices to watch or record live television. This gadget can also use it as a media player for watching or recording movies, music, or photos. It’s perfect for people who want to watch live television and view the latest news and programs from the internet while at home in comfort or on the go.
This device features an HDMI output, so you can easily connect it to your HDTV, monitor, or projector to enjoy high-definition broadcasts. It also has an antenna input to receive over-the-air signals, and an output to connect to your analog TV or VCR. This Tuner supports most standard TV channels, including PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, PBS, CBS, ABC, NBC, FOX, and PBS. It even has built-in parental controls so you can restrict viewing by age and time of day.
The Mediasonic ATSC Digital Converter Box is a simple yet powerful tool for anyone who wants to watch television without cable. You can also use it to play music, movies, or photos from your USB drive.
The Mediasonic ATSC Digital Converter Box can also record live TV shows and programs, or it can record programs on demand. This means you don’t need to worry about missing your favorite shows. Just make sure that you use a USB flash drive to store all your recordings.
There are plenty of other features as well, including a built-in digital clock, an FM radio tuner, a USB port, and an external antenna port.
I highly recommend this product for those people who need a digital tv tuner without any cable connections. It has a great number of ratings on amazon which means people are loving this product so much.
Pros:
- It has a manual channel selection option.
- Best value for the money.
- Easy to set up.
Cons:
- The recording feature is not as I expected
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5. AVerMedia AVerTV Volar Hybrid Q, USB TV Tuner
This is the perfect companion for my Mac I have ever found. It works as a standalone digital video recorder, digital TV tuner, and USB OTA receiver.
The AVerMedia AVerTV Volar Hybrid Q comes with a mini antenna that plugs into the USB port, and it can receive free OTA channels through ATSC, ClearQAM, and Analog TV on your Mac. This means you can enjoy your favorite channels whenever you want, without any subscription fees or cable costs. It’s even more affordable than the $200+ price tag on other similar products.
You can also use it to listen to the OTA FM radio from your PC and laptop. It supports both Android and iOS devices, so you can access your favorite FM stations with ease. The included software supports Windows Media Player and iTunes, and you can watch live OTA broadcasts from your favorite stations with no buffering delays.
The best part is you don’t have to use an external device to listen to the radio; just plug the AVerMedia Volar Hybrid Q into your PC and start listening to your favorite stations.
It has a DVR function that allows you to record video files from your PC, and you can play them back anytime later with a click of a button. You can also record your favorite shows from the free OTA channels on your laptop. And it also supports iOS and Android devices, so you can easily share recorded videos on social media or send them to friends.
This is a perfect product I have tested for anyone who loves watching TV or listening to the radio from their laptops. It’s a powerful yet affordable solution to all your TV and radio needs.
Pros:
- Best for Plex owners.
- Just plug and play option.
- Best Portable device for viewing TV on a laptop and recording.
- Attractive price point.
Cons:
- The software has some bugs.
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Things To Consider When Purchasing a TV Tuner For Mac
Here I have mentioned some most important key points which I kept in my mind when I was searching for the tv tuner.
- Portability
When choosing a tuner for your Macbook, it’s important to consider the number of inputs it has and how often you use it. Portable tuners are generally good for quick reference as they can be plugged in at any location. Fixed tuners are more useful as they are usually connected to your home TV and usually have more options to adjust their frequency ranges.
- Durability
TV tuners for laptops are a great way to keep your computer fully integrated with your television. They also make it possible to watch the live show while doing something else, which is useful for productivity. When you look for a TV tuner, you should take into consideration its durability, as well as the quality and performance of the device.
- Connectivity
There are several different types of TV tuners available. Some are compatible with your laptop Macbook or desktop computer, while others can only be used on standalone devices like smartphones and tablets. The connectivity of a TV tuner depends on the specific model and brand. It’s always a good idea to check the specifications before buying one.
It’s also important to consider the connection method. There are two options – HDMI and VGA. The former is better for those with high-definition screens, whereas the latter is better for older TVs.
- Installation Process
When you’re looking to buy a TV tuner for your Mac, you will find many options. But before you pick up the one that suits your budget and needs best, it’s important to understand how it will work and how easy it will be to install.
FAQs – People Also Ask This
How can I watch local TV on my Mac?
You can watch the local Tv on mac in the apple tv app, with the app you can watch movies or TV shows. Or if you want to watch the live tv you can get a USB or digital tv tuner with ATSC 3.0 to watch free live channels.
How do I watch over the air on my Mac?
To watch over the air channels on mac you will need a tuner with an antenna to catch over the air channels. For this, you can get Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD a great USB TV tuner that will let you watch free over-the-air TV on your Macbook.
Which is the best TV tuner?
I have done comprehensive research and tested all these five tuners to get the best but all tuners are different and experts In their fields. For example, if you wanna get a digital tuner I highly recommend you to get the Mediasonic ATSC Digital TV Tuner, or if you want the best USB tuner then you can go for Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD and if you need an external tuner then Iview 3300STB is the best.
How can I watch live TV on my Mac for free?
You can watch free live tv on your mac with a free tuner that catches over-the-air channels. I reviewed one of the best ATSC 3.0 tuners above you can check.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a device that will take your Apple TV experience to the next level, look no further than the Hauppauge WinTV-Go Ultra Tuner. It provides an easy and straightforward way to record, store, and playback live TV from the internet.
The Hauppauge WinTV-Go Ultra Tuner is the easiest way to connect your Macbook to a TV. It’s not hard to set up, but it does require some technical know-how.