[maniscca]

My TV antenna arrived a few weeks ago and it works beautifully. I like that it has a suction cup and a clip for my notebook so I can locate the antenna in a variety of different places. I'm glad Dell finally got it right.

[avj73]

After being told to wait 17-21 days from my invoice date to get the antenna, waiting 21 days and not getting an antenna, I emailed Dell again. I Got an e-mail today that said

Thank you for contacting Dell Online Customer Care.

I apologize for the inconvenience caused by long delay in resolving your concern regarding the missing antenna.

I checked the details of the antenna that was to be sent to you, however, our records indicate that it is no longer available. Hence, we are unable to send it to you.

If you wish to return the system for refund, we can initiate a return request for full refund. We will also arrange for the return shipment.

This is absurd. The email doesn't make sense as they are still selling the mini 10 with the TV Tuner, so they have to have anntennae. I called customer service, and they are just giving me the run around. I love my Mini 10 and don't want to return it...I just want my antenae!!! Hey Bill from Dell....HELP!

Andrew

[dvsman]

Originally Posted by rc_avigator

Why can't I hook up my cable tv to the tv??

If you mean "Why can't I hook up my cable tv to my dell ... to my understanding and FWIW, the DELL adapter is only for OTA / over the air signal. Says so right in the product description.

The OTA signals from your local channel affiliates (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX) are not compressed so anyone can pluck it and watch it if they have the right gear (i.e. antenna + HD equipment to receive HD), including the Dell tuner.

However a Dell tuner does not work to unscramble compressed cable channels by a cable company. Try google or wiki searching ATSC/NTSC/QAM for more information on the different specs.

[bozo8787]

Originally Posted by dvsman

If you mean "Why can't I hook up my cable tv to my dell ... to my understanding and FWIW, the DELL adapter is only for OTA / over the air signal. Says so right in the product description.

The OTA signals from your local channel affiliates (NBC, ABC, CBS, FOX) are not compressed so anyone can pluck it and watch it if they have the right gear (i.e. antenna + HD equipment to receive HD), including the Dell tuner.

However a Dell tuner does not work to unscramble compressed cable channels by a cable company. Try google or wiki searching ATSC/NTSC/QAM for more information on the different specs.

I would love to get OTA HD signal.

However, I just purchased my Dell Mini1010 with 2GB RAM, but no option for TV-Tuner

My questions are:

1. Can I just buy the internal TVTuner and install it myself?

2. If #1 is a no-go, can I purchase an external OTA TVTuner+Antenna?

TIA, to anyone that can guide me

[rrfranczak3]

Originally Posted by jrc

I've read alot about cable TV and tuners, quick question. Do you use Analog, aka Basic Cable? No digital services? If you use Digital services do you have a settop box for them? I'd have to see the specs of the Dell TV Tuner but I suspect it may only do ATSC Over-The-Air broadcasts, and Analog CABLE TV. The type you plug in from your wall directly to your TV. Which might, MIGHT, mean you are outta luck with Cable TV. Hopefully though you can get it to work. One last stupid question, did you scan? Some people may not realize that you have to scan for channels, I'm not saying you would do this, just being sure.

Edit:
Just did a quick Yahoo search for Dell Mini 10 TV Tuner Specs and from Gizmodo.com it sounds like the TV Tuner in the Mini 10 is only an ATSC tuner. What that means is you will only be able to get TV Stations broadcast over the air, or OTA. These will be ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, PBS, and the CW, plus whatever their .2-3 stations are. Unless I am incorrect, which is if I am someone correct me, you will not be able to get Cable TV with this Tuner.

Dont they market it as a DIGITAL TV TUNER? see below a direct quote form their order page

QUOTE: "Add the new TV tuner and watch over-the-air live digital broadcasts on your Mini 10." UNQUOTE

thats right off their web site.....I dont get it????

it should work..but I have the same problem, no channels excep for 2 crappy CCTV stations nearby...which is NOT why I paid for the TV tuner, I dont expect HBO, but I would like ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX....but they are all digital now also.at least here in New York (USA)..anyone help?

I think we should ALL start a class action suit against DELL for misrepresentation and false advertising

mine doesnt even play the radio...the button is grayed out...

[Jon_J]

I get 10 local digital channels on my mini-10 with the dell tv tuner.
ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, MyTV, CW plus subs.
I'm in Illinois, USA.
I did the following:
I installed anything that has to do with the TV card from the Dell "Drivers and Utilities" DVD.
I don't think I installed the DVB-T related driver, as I think this is related to European TV.
Next, I used the little antenna adapter and hooked it up to my rooftop antenna. (UHF)
I scanned the channels in with this "stronger" antenna, and got all 10 locals, with subs.
Later I used the Dell antenna and am able to get at least 8 of the above 10 stations.
If I drove up on the hill, out of the valley, I would probably get distant channels also.
BTW, do the scanning on a nice clear day, not while it's raining. Wet tree leaves can block or "scatter" UHF signals.

[WolfKeeper]

it should work..but I have the same problem, no channels excep for 2 crappy CCTV stations nearby...which is NOT why I paid for the TV tuner, I dont expect HBO, but I would like ABC,CBS,NBC,FOX....but they are all digital now also.at least here in New York (USA)..anyone help?

You should go do some research before blaming Dell on why you can't pick up more DTV signals. DTV signals travel far shorter distances than analog TV and are far more susceptible to interference due to it's line of sight nature.

[rrfranczak3]

Originally Posted by Jon_J

I get 10 local digital channels on my mini-10 with the dell tv tuner.
ABC, NBC, CBS, PBS, FOX, MyTV, CW plus subs.
I'm in Illinois, USA.
I did the following:
I installed anything that has to do with the TV card from the Dell "Drivers and Utilities" DVD.
I don't think I installed the DVB-T related driver, as I think this is related to European TV.
Next, I used the little antenna adapter and hooked it up to my rooftop antenna. (UHF)
I scanned the channels in with this "stronger" antenna, and got all 10 locals, with subs.
Later I used the Dell antenna and am able to get at least 8 of the above 10 stations.
If I drove up on the hill, out of the valley, I would probably get distant channels also.
BTW, do the scanning on a nice clear day, not while it's raining. Wet tree leaves can block or "scatter" UHF signals.

Thanks for the reply...my 1st problem is that I dont have an outdoor antenna...we have had cable since 1977, certainly not putting one up just for this little netbook..thanks anyway..

[Jon_J]

You could always try this to get a "better" antenna, just to scan the channels in with.
You can make one using household "junk".
How to build a UHF antenna... - AVS Forum
It's about 112 pages long. Look inside that thread or google "coathanger antenna"
There's a video of a guy making one out of scrap wood and coathangers. He's kinda funny too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw
He just placed it behind his TV and got a bunch of channels he didn't get previously.

[rrfranczak3]

Originally Posted by Jon_J

You could always try this to get a "better" antenna, just to scan the channels in with.
You can make one using household "junk".
How to build a UHF antenna... - AVS Forum
It's about 112 pages long. Look inside that thread or google "coathanger antenna"
There's a video of a guy making one out of scrap wood and coathangers. He's kinda funny too...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWQhlmJTMzw
He just placed it behind his TV and got a bunch of channels he didn't get previously.

thanks for the reply, but I cant imagine carrying that around with me....kinda takes the portable out of portablity