Microsoft is now officially offering an Xbox-branded TV tuner manufactured by Hauppauge, available now for interested customers in the U.S. and Canada.
The company announced last month that it will soon have a treat in store for Xbox owners in North America, enabling them to watch live TV via an over-the-air antenna. The feature has already been available in other markets, and now it's ready for the U.S. and Canada as well.
The Hauppauge Digital TV Tuner for Xbox One aims to serve as an affordable way to enjoy free over-the-air reception. The TV tuner costs just $59.99, but an antenna is also required and it is sold separately. To make it easier and more convenient, Microsoft is also offering a bundle that includes both the TV tuner and the antenna for $99.98, allowing for savings of $30 compared to the total price of the two hardware items purchased separately.
"With the Hauppauge TV Tuner for Xbox One and an HDTV antenna, Xbox One owners can look forward to a variety of useful features, such as the ability to pause up to 30 minutes of live TV, watch TV on the right side of your screen while playing games with Snap, and navigate channels using Kinect voice controls. Additionally, users can stream over-the-air TV to other devices within the home using the Xbox app on Windows 10 devices or the Xbox One SmartGlass app on Windows, Windows Phone, iOS and Android, even while someone else is playing a game on Xbox One," touts the official announcement.
A guide will also be available based on the user's zip code, and users will also be able to control the TV with voice commands via Kinect. It sounds like an attractive offer at this price, but it's highly advisable to check for coverage before proceeding with the purchase. Just buying the Hauppauge TV Tuner for Xbox One and the HDTV antenna will not guarantee a strong over-the-air signal, so Microsoft is recommending that interested customers visit the dedicated website and check what channels are available in their area and find the suitable antenna.
For more information on how to set up the Hauppauge TV Tuner for Xbox One and HDTV antenna, head over to Xbox Support here or check out the video below.