Xbox One transforms into a digital TV tuner for 40 bucks

Xbox One digital TV tuner

Microsoft no stranger trying to bring live TV to Xbox One just announced that it will release a new Digital TV Tuner USB adapter to its video game console. The accessory will be available in the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and Spain for €29.99 ($40) in October.

The digital TV tuner will connect to European Xbox One easily using a USB port turning the console into a TV set-top box. Once connected users will be able to tune free over-the-air DVB-T, DVB-T2, and DVB-C TV channels available in the area without the need of a cable subscription or proprietary box, or setting messy IR blasting through the Microsoft’s Kinect sensor.

Using the new digital TV tuner Xbox One owner in Europe will be able to:

  • Watch HDTV without cable subscription
  • Watch Live TV and receive game invitations and notifications
  • TV viewing in Snap mode, while playing, Skype, or using other apps
  • Pause live TV
  • TV listing using OneGuide
  • Create favorite channel list in OneGuide
  • Use voice commands to tune channels
  • Full support of Xbox SmartGlass to access OneGuide with the ability to tune channels using your tablet or phone
  • Users will also get notifications of which TV shows are available to watch on demand using the video app

According to Microsoft this was a highly requested feature and now is a reality for European Xbox One owners. However one of the most important feature found in a TV set-top box isn’t included, that is the DVR functionality to record live TV. Perhaps the 500GB storage isn’t enough to keep many shows, but the console already supports external storage, so it’s possible we could be seeing a future update with this functionality.

The Xbox One digital TV tuner will be available in Europe in October and it’ll be priced at 29.99 EUR.

Also… Please Microsoft bring the digital TV tuner to America too.

Source Microsoft

About the author

Mauro Huculak is a Windows How-To Expert who started Pureinfotech in 2010 as an independent online publication. He has also been a Windows Central contributor for nearly a decade. Mauro has over 14 years of experience writing comprehensive guides and creating professional videos about Windows and software, including Android and Linux. Before becoming a technology writer, he was an IT administrator for seven years. In total, Mauro has over 20 years of combined experience in technology. Throughout his career, he achieved different professional certifications from Microsoft (MSCA), Cisco (CCNP), VMware (VCP), and CompTIA (A+ and Network+), and he has been recognized as a Microsoft MVP for many years. You can follow him on X (Twitter), YouTube, LinkedIn and About.me.