PCI or USB FM Tuners for the computer?

[Sparky191]

What PCI or USB FM tuners would people recommend for computer use? Preferably without a TV tuner.

 

[andyshedd]

Griffin Technology makes the only one I know of. And I hear the Mac bundled software is or was better than the software for the PC. I'm personally waiting for HD Radio for the PC--with standard PC tuners the signal has to go from analog to digital to analog. HD Radio is transmitted in digital.

 

[Sparky191]

Bit pricy but certainly seems like it does the job. Thanks for the link. I appreciate it.

 

[uzziah]

is there local brodcast you cannot get via internet streams? that would make sense; for music i don't see the point over online streaming options

 

[sgrossklass]

Why not use an oldschool standalone FM tuner? This is likely to be a better bet in terms of sonics, at least (provided you pick the right one, of course).

As for HD Radio, I wouldn't hold my breath - data rates aren't likely to knock audiophiles off their socks AFAIK, the IBOC sidebands apparently interfere with the adjacent channel, and due to the larger bandwidth occupied, stations experience reduced coverage in spite of attempts to compensate for this. Besides, tuners with a fairly large IF bandwidth and insufficient postdetection filtering may exhibit "HD Radio self-noise" (also read the article on the effect of different IF filters on this by the same author).