TV on Xbox Gets More Versatile with Over-the-Air Tuner for the U.S. and Canada

We’re excited to announce a partnership with Hauppauge, 23-year veterans in the over-the-air TV space, to deliver one of the most asked for Live TV features on Xbox Feedback to our fans in the U.S. and Canada – an over-the-air TV tuner. Support for over-the-air TV on Xbox One means access to broadcast networks available in your area, like CBS, FOX, NBC, and PBS, with no subscription cost. When paired with the recently released Sling TV, you can get all of those networks, plus ESPN, TNT, Disney Channel, Adult Swim, and more, live, on your Xbox One.

Starting today, members of the Xbox One preview program in the U.S. and Canada can get over-the-air TV by purchasing the Hauppauge WinTV-955Q (MSRP $79.99 at Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop and Micro Center), and an HDTV antenna. In the next few months, Xbox will be partnering with Hauppauge to release a lower cost version of this tuner, the Hauppauge TV Tuner for Xbox One, retailing for MSRP $59.99, and available to everyone in the U.S. and Canada.

We are also pleased to announce that we are expanding support for the Xbox One Digital TV Tuner to preview members in 11 more European countries starting today, adding Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Sweden, and Switzerland. The Xbox One Digital TV Tuner is already available today for those in Australia, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and will be available at retail in these 11 new countries later this year.

For more information about over-the-air TV including setup, availability and summary of features, check out this article over at Xbox Wire.

We’re pleased to be expanding our TV offerings, bringing TV tuners for over-the-air TV to a total 19 markets and helping gamers stay connected to their gameplay, even when they’re watching TV. Stay tuned for more news on entertainment and gaming coming soon!

Comments

  • http://twitter.com/rogXue rogXue

    I’m interested in this but why is the design so different from the UK version of the product?

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    • http://twitter.com/rogXue rogXue

      also, as a preview member I kinda wish MS would’ve given us a special price so that we could help test this. I really don’t want to pay $80 (60 on amazon) to be a guinea pig.

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      • Michel Simmons

        You can buy it from newegg for $50 but still need to buy the adapter for usb to hdmi.

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      • Placeman

        I don’t think you plug this into your HDMI. You plug it into one of your usb ports. Xbox’s software will control the dongle via the usb (tuning).

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    • serge2k

      I’m sure somewhere Microsoft has data saying that in the USA people are not going to be interested in this as much as Europe… so instead of them making a USA model they went with an existing tuner that Hauppauge makes… saving them costs….

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      • OssianGrr

        I’m guessing it’s more like “Comcast, Time Warner, and Verizon are trying their best to prevent anyone else from providing easy access to TV, are making this exceedingly difficult for Microsoft in the US, and would shut down the air if they could.”

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      • Derek D

        To me it seems Microsoft is still in bed with the cable companies. OTA is easily accessible with any modern TV and $5 antenna

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      • OssianGrr

        Don’t forget: This new partnership requires users to buy both the Hauppauge device *and* an antenna. And you have to be lucky enough to live in a place that can pick up a decent OTA signal.
        In my neck of the woods, the $50 powered Mohu Leaf is a _minimum_ to get over-the-air content (and it still doesn’t get all the major OTA channels).
        What you’re gaining is the ability to integrate that viewing experience into the main XBOne UI. Which is convenient, but I don’t know if it’s $100+ of convenient. They really need to support CableCard or *at least* ClearQAM, if not a totally streaming-live-TV experience like sling with more channels, for this to be a truly revolutionary announcement.

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      • kftgr

        You get integration into the XB1 UI and wifi streaming of the TV feed to a 2nd device.

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      • Michel Simmons

        There are actually quite a few different hdmi in antennas you can buy on Amazon to get over the air TV on the Xbox One. You just need a coaxial antenna as demonstrated in the video.

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      • OssianGrr

        But those still rely on the IR-blaster passthrough which I’ve heard is unreliable (I have not actually tried this myself).

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      • Baxter DeBerry

        not in my area its not, you need a out door high end antenna to get anything which is sad

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  • Mando44646

    I was really excited for this! Then I saw the price. $60 isnt all that great. Isnt it much cheaper in the EU?

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  • Virus

    why you got no featured or ads on your home screen

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    • http://summified.com/ Ry L

      Wish mine didn’t…

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  • Icmatta

    This is great but the guide info is still awful for OTA tuners. I’d love to replace my 360 as my OTA TV source but until you can Manually add and remove channels, this device is useless.

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    • chex_mix

      just out of curiosity, why would you want to manually add a channel that the tv tuner/antenna couldn’t pick up automatically when it scans?

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      • Icmatta

        I live between two major cities and I get channels that are from each city. When you put your zip/postal code in the one guide set up, you have to pick listings from one city or the other. There is no way to add channels from another region. Right now I use Windows media center and a 360 and it works flawlessly because you can manually add channels and guide info.

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      • chex_mix

        interesting, makes sense. thanks for explaining!

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      • missinglinx

        While you can’t manually add channels it doesn’t use zip codes to setup the guide. It will scan for channels and the channels you receive will be put in the guide.

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  • OssianGrr

    Will this work with unencrypted cable channels (ClearQAM) as well as OTA?

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    • OssianGrr

      I got an answer to this on twitter. My original “reply” here is still stuck in approval-land (probably because it included a spammy-looking URL). But Hauppauge’s official answer at the moment is “ATSC Only on the Xbox, not ClearQAM”, even though ClearQAM works with their dongle on PC. Meh.

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  • DaSpiderMonkeys

    Can I stream my Dish Network box to a smart glass device or is that just for over the air?

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    • eAbyss

      Just OTA. You still need a box for cable and satellite.

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      • DaSpiderMonkeys

        I’ve got the satellite receiver already. I was just hoping I could stream it to the iPad or my phone while I’m gaming. Maybe one day!

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      • Catalyst

        There is already a DISH app for this capability.

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  • Maclawyer

    PLEASE bring this feature to South America. I really want it!

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  • Chase

    Here is a VERY important question. Do I need the specific Hauppauge USB Tuner, or can I use any tuner? I already have a USB to Coax tuner so all I need is the antenna, but I don’t want to get an antenna if it won’t work with what I’ve got already.

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    • serge2k

      Article only states a specific Hauppague usb tuner model and does not state that you can use any tuner….theres the answer to your very important question

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    • Capt4chris

      I bought a 3rd party OTA digital tuner that plugs into the Xbox One via HDMI and it works well but the Xbox Oneguide is missing channels, has incorrect programming & has odd names for the channels.

      The Xbox One needs a way to manually add or change channels.

      The program guide issue could be the broadcast station or something.

      There also needs to be a way to rename channels for voice control. With some of the more abstract channels, I have to speak the call signs to change to that channel. There’s no way to remember that!

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    • Michel Simmons

      There not using the usb port. They gave a usb to hdmi adapter but didn’t state that.

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  • Nick Peck

    I’ll just wait for the XBO version to drop in the next few months and pick it up. That way I can drop hulu+ and go with slingTV.

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    • chex_mix

      it doesn’t look like you are able to actually record anything with this though can you? if not, then i don’t see how this is better than the service hulu+ offers with basically any show you want at any time on demand. the days of watching things day and time when they air are becoming days of the past.

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      • Nick Peck

        The problem with Hulu is that they don’t always have everything. They lose episodes and seasons constantly which drives me nuts. I don’t really care to record though these days. But I agree, it’s a pro vs. cons thing and I’ll have to mess around with it to see what works.

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      • OssianGrr

        Live OTA TV includes things like local news, etc. The ultimate dream is for “ALL THE MEDIA” to go through a single box, regardless of source, and live local TV is one of the few missing pieces of that puzzle (especially because the xbox “hdmi passthrough” is a less-than-stellar hack)

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  • Riekopo

    I’m not interested in buying a Haupauge product. I just want the existing TV Tuner.

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    • Mr XBob

      Learn about TV signals and realise that the current TV tuner would be 100% useless in the US.

      Then move to Europe.

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      • ImTheMetalLord

        Like that’s practical?

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      • Riekopo

        Obviously the internals would have to be switched.

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    • TheHeraldOfDeath

      Why? Your Xbox One is basically running Windows and open to third party accessories. Is the Xbox branded one that much better?

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  • http://forum.xda-developers.com/member.php?u=4826512 ebucha

    The Xbox One needs network tuner (HDHomerun, Ceton, etc) and DVR support. If these features were available it would truly be the ONE device to rule the living room. Until then, it’s a halfhearted effort.

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    • OssianGrr

      CableCard support would be nice too.

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    • Chupon

      Here here ! HDHR Prime support would be amazing. Why is WMC not on the Xbox One?

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  • Doppleganger

    Does it have to be the Hauppauge 995q tuner for it to work or can use use any tuner?

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  • Arminator

    Using a Hauppauge on Xbox One?!! How awesome is that! If you could get the Hauppauge WinTV-NOVA-HD-USB2 to work on the Xbox One, that would be awesome for Europe.

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  • Foggen

    Why is it twice as expensive to make an ATSC version as a DVB-T version?

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  • gamer04

    awesome news, thanks MS team, been waiting for this since the announcment for overseas

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  • ElektroDragon

    OH MY GOD!!! THANK YOU MICROSOFT AND MAJOR NELSON!!! YOU LISTENED!!!

    Wait, why don’t we get an official Xbox one like Europe?? You’re too afraid to take the risk and you don’t believe the market is there…. you are WRONG!

    I didn’t have good results with the Hauppage stick on my PC, I switched to AverTV which gives me better reception. Kind of a bummer actually.

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  • http://www.thealephnullsaga.com/ Jeremiah Locanas

    I just want them to add “pause” to cache up to 30 minutes of their TV capabilities, even without tuner. That means they can definitely add DVR. All of this is technically feasible already and hopefully will be added soon!!

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  • Lucky13X

    Ok, that is it. CABLE IS DEAD. Holy hell, this is amazing!

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  • Rudy Bienaime

    Do I need this in order to view live streams on smart glass? Or can I just use my existing hook up to watch TV on smart glass?

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  • Doppleganger

    Full media player support and this console is beond perfection. I Love my xbox one.

    I would gladly buy another one if they release a non optical version which is smaller and has much larger hard drive.

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  • https://twitter.com/Ganon255 Ganon255

    Just chiming in to say I love this. Maybe we could see a new console SKU with integrated tuner, larger/faster HDD, and cable card ability (to eliminate the need of using a separate cable box). Also DVR needs to come for OTV and cable.

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    • TheHeraldOfDeath

      Problem with integrated tuners is that MS would either need to make different models for every standard or use an expensive mulituner cranking up the price. The USB option is much more cost effective.

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  • Legion

    This actually has my attention. I’ll probably mark the new model on Amazon and wait for a price drop/sale. I never thought I would do the whole “tv on my xbox thing” because to me it’s always been about the games. However, a “one-and-done” tv option where I don’t have to pay more than one time ever has me intrigued.

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    • CXK

      Don’t be afraid of the TV on the console. I have my 360 connected to the One so I can stream Media Center live/recorded TV and its great. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been watching TV, my wife gets a call or has to go do something, says “Xbox Pause” and I say “Xbox, go to GTA V” and go cause some trouble for the 10-15 min she is gone. It has a lot of benefits. My Xbox One is as essential to my entertainment set up as my TV or AV receiver now is. We liked the feature so much I bought an HDMI switch so plug my Apple TV into the Xbox One also. It sounds kind of silly but if you’re big into Xbox and being connected to friends, its great. You can get game invites while watching TV/movies and just go. No switching inputs, waiting for the console to boot and log in, its just all ready all the time.

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      • Legion

        I would be very interested to see how that setup all works / the delay between connected devices, etc.

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  • Derek D

    I don’t mean to be THAT guy, but a few thoughts. First of all, it took way to long for this to come out. Still don’t know why you favorited the UK over the US with a feature. It’s pretty pathetic. Secondly, why did you have to partner with another company to make this product? And lastly, this thing shouldn’t cost more then $25 tops. Way to expensive for a few ota channels that 99% of people can get with $5 rabbit ears.

    Why does everything have to be 1step forward and 3 steps back with Xbox.

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    • kftgr

      The one time that US is not first for a feature and you’re crying pathetic?

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      • Derek D

        Microsoft is a US based company where the Xbox sells the most in the USA then in any other country. Also, the only reason Xbox sells in the UK is because of the stupid Fifa series exclusivity that only the UK cares about. So yeah…. its kind of pathetic.

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      • CXK

        I get what you’re saying. Sony gives Japan everything first, even though its a tiny market compared to the US. I’m pretty certain their reason for going with the EU first was either not wanting to upset cable providers/content owners or they just thought the US was too into cable still. When I built my Media Center set up and tried to explain to friends/family that I was using an antenna to get HDTV, they all were completely baffled. “You mean you get free cable?” They couldn’t understand that free HDTV exists, even after explaining they thought I could get HBO with it. Its like US resident have a cable line attached to them instead of an umbilical cord at birth. We’re so used cable being a common utility like electricity and water. I’m sure Microsoft figured they’d spend the money marketing and building this and no one buys it. Or they buy it, try to plug their cable box into and complain like nut jobs on the internet that Microsoft doesnt know what they’re doing and Xbox sucks.

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      • Kravex

        Fifia’s so aimed at the UK they put an Argentine on the front cover who plays for a Spanish team…
        Unlike in the USA when there’s a football world cup it actually includes the world.

        Most of the EU get TV as standard over the air and there are so many different satellite or fibre companies offering TV it was much easier to offer OTA instead of trying to adapt a large number of different companies into OneGuide.

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  • Jerome Noxby

    and the games are where,,,,,

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  • eAbyss

    This should have been built into the X1 from the start. Another oops brought to you by Microsoft.

    Like

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