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australia:remote_tv

digital TV for portable devices

Introduction

  • there are 5 main ways to see digital TV broadcasts:
    • a Smart TV connected to a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
      • this requires AC power supply and a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
    • an old TV plus a digital TV set top box (STB)
      • this requires AC power supply and a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
    • a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone PLUS USB tuner dongle
      • this requires a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
      • this may also give you DAB digital radio and FM radio
      • this may be the only solution if you don't have internet, satellite or AC power
    • via the internet
      • using TV station streaming apps or web browsers on your device or smart TV
      • obviously, you need to have internet access
    • via satellite paid TV
      • eg. Foxtel - if you have a paid subscription, a satellite antenna and tuner, and a device to view it on
      • this will require a power source for both the tuner and the device

Digital TV tuner USB dongles

  • the main critical aspects in choosing one for your device include:
    • does it support the digital TV protocol for your region?
      • Australia and NZ are still using DVB-T along with many other countries
      • Much of Europe has upgraded to DVB-T2
      • USA has a different protocol again - ATSC
    • will it work on your device operating system?
      • most USB-A dongles are only designed for 32bit Windows - not sure if they will work on 64bit Windows!
      • many Android dongles are older micro USB
        • you could get a USB-C to female micro USB To Go cable
      • there are some USB-C dongles which may suit your newer Android device
    • does it have a remote control or will you need to use the software on your device?
    • is their software available that is compatible with the dongle?
      • you may need to download the DVB-T driver from Google Store for Android devices and then also other software such as Pad TV HD app to view TV and change channels
      • on 32bit Windows most are probably compatible with Microsoft drivers and software
      • there may be issues with 64bit Windows
  • BEWARE not all DVB-T2 dongles will also support DVB-T!
  • NB. most of these require 75 Ohm antenna input (you can't just use your 50 Ohm radio antenna)
australia/remote_tv.txt · Last modified: 2025/09/01 08:59 by gary1

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