Dell today unveiled a USB digital TV tuner that allows individuals to watch broadcast TV on the Inspiron Mini. Dell will offer region-specific versions, designed to receive local broadcast standards. Dell expects the tuner to be available later this quarter, first in Europe, followed by North America and Asia-Pacific and China.
The Dell USB Digital TV Tuner will receive live and free over-the-air local digital and HD TV broadcasts where available and full ready for the DTV switch over happening in the US in February. Similar in size to a USB key or “thumb drive,” the Digital TV tuner includes a built in telescoping and articulating antenna that retracts into the sleek glossy black case.
Dell plans to offer regional-specific versions of the Digital TV Tuner, designed to receive local broadcast standards, including mobile digital television standards like ATSC in the U.S., DVB-T in Western Europe, ISDB-T 1-seg (a.k.a. One Seg) in Japan, and the emerging CMMB standard in China.
Dell teamed up with Siano Mobile Silicon and Hauppauge Computer Works to designed the product. It is compatible with Ubuntu Linux (8.04), Windows XP and Windows Vista Basic. The price will start at $50.
