Plextor is getting into the HDTV tuner business with the PX-HDTV500U - a portable USB based tuner which they’ve labeled as a “mini digital HDTV receiver”. At first glance, the PX-HDTV500U looks like standard USB flash drive but connect it to your computer, and you’ll get access to tons of over the air HD channels.

Here are the key features to the tuner:

  • Supports US digital TV standard ATSC protocol
  • Free air-to-air digital terrestrial TV and audio program playing
  • Automatic channel scanning
  • Electronic program guide
  • Supports 4:3 and 16:9 ratios
  • resizable screens
  • Supports Windows Media Center
  • Tuner frequency: 42 – 864 MHz
  • Supports SDTV and HDTV resolutions
  • Video format – MPEG-2 Main Profile and Main Level
  • Audio format – MPEG-2 Audio Layer 1 and 2
  • Measures 71.2 x 13.8 x 28.1 mm and weighs 19.8 grams

The Plextor PX-HDTV500U isn’t available quite yet but once it is, you’ll be able to purchase one for $99.

[Check it out via ExtremeTech]

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