USB Software Defined Radio dongles were meant to be television tuner devices. Connected to a computer they decode DVB-T and DVB-C digital video broadcast for television and cable. They receive FM and DAB radio, as well.
DVB-T and DVB-C are the international standard for digital television transmission and North America uses the ATSC standard. So, unfortunately I cannot show you how to setup TV.
In this project we will install the PrestoPVR software included on the little CD that came with your SDR dongle. We can copy the files from the CD and move them to any Windows PC.
Connect the USB Dongle to PCOpen the device manager of the PC and look at Sound, video and game controllers make sure REALTEK 2832U Device is working.
Open the files from the CD folder PVR and double click on setup.exe accept all defaults to install the PrestoPVR personal video recorder software. Use evaluation as serial number for installation.
Made for WinXP this software installs in Windows 11. The hardware driver on the CD is outdated and Windows Update will find a driver automatically.
Launch the PrestoPVRprogram
You may go directly to digital television scan mode for Afrikaans TV stations. Change the country and scan but in North America it will not find any stations. Scans take time to check the spectrum.
Cancel the Afrikaans panel and select FM Radio input on the main controls.
Main ScreenThis is the program that uses the tuner device to make a television screen on your computer. It can decode DAB digital audio broadcast and FM radio. Select FM Radio input.
Scan and you should see FM radio stations. It may take a while.
The control buttons for PrestoPVR are intuitive. You should have no problem changing FM radio stations and controlling sound volume. Hover over a button and you will see the name.
DAB Digital Audio Broadcast
We can try the new digital radio DAB. There are several bands. My scan finds none in my location.
We can try television signals.
Once again, my scan finds none. Many countries are listed for scan but only ones using DVB digital video broadcast.
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