15 June 2005
The world's first hybrid TV card has been unveiled, providing PC-users with television access, regardless of whether they have access to a digital signal or not.
The new card, manufactured by Hauppauge Digital, will feature both an analogue and a digital TV tuner, and will allow PC manufacturers to supply products that can be used anywhere in the UK.
This issue has arisen as 25 per cent of the country that does not have digital coverage. The new "one size fits all" products should result in construction cost cuts for manufacturers, savings which could be passed onto consumers.
Yehia Oweiss, managing director of Hauppauge Digital UK, said: "Talking to PC makers it is obvious that the 25% of UK homes that cannot receive Freeview is a problem.
"It means twice the number of configurations, plus the cost and hassle of accommodating returns if digital reception is poor. With the HVR-1100 there's no question - it will receive TV."
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