As reported by WinBeta in April, Xbox previously said that through a new partnership between Microsoft and Hauppauge, a US manufacturer of TV tuners for personal computers, the Xbox One will get its own Over-the-Air (OTA) tuner.
Today, Microsoft announced the Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner for Xbox One is now available at your local Microsoft store or online through Microsoft and Amazon for $59.99 in the US and Canada. Microsoft is also selling a live TV bundle at its stores and online that includes the Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner for Xbox One and a Mohu Leaf 50 HDTV antenna for $99.99.
This new digital tuner integrates OTA TV channels with Xbox One’s built in TV viewing features to place the Xbox One as even stronger option for those looking to cut the cord with your cable or satellite TV provider. The new tuner brings OTA TV viewing with the following features:
- Integration with Xbox One’s OneGuide, a guide to navigate TV listings and track favorite shows.
- Snapping TV alongside a game or other Xbox One application for side by side viewing
- Pausing live TV for up to 30 minutes
- Changing channels by voice with Kinect
- Stream the OTA TV feed on your Xbox One to any mobile device on your home through the Xbox One SmartGlass app, which is available on Windows, Windows Phone, iOS, and Android.
With already having an offering of On-Demand viewing apps like Netflix, Hulu Plus, Amazon Prime, and HBO Go among others, and live TV Apps such as Sling TV, ESPN, TWC TV, and Verizon FiOS, the addition of OTA TV to the Xbox One makes it a stronger alternative to traditional satellite and cable providers.
Have you been looking to cut the cord and are you considering making the Xbox One your primary TV viewing device?
