digital TV for portable devices

see also:

I don't sell any of these nor do I receive any remuneration if you buy them, and I have not personally reviewed all of them, they are listed here to give you perspective

Introduction

there are 5 main ways to see digital TV broadcasts:
- a Smart TV connected to a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
  - this requires AC power supply and a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
- an old TV plus a digital TV set top box (STB)
  - this requires AC power supply and a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
- a computer, laptop, tablet or smartphone PLUS USB tuner dongle
  - this requires a 75 Ohm digital TV antenna
  - this may also give you DAB digital radio and FM radio
  - this may be the only solution if you don't have internet, satellite or AC power
- via the internet
  - using TV station streaming apps or web browsers on your device or smart TV
  - obviously, you need to have internet access
- via satellite paid TV
  - eg. Foxtel - if you have a paid subscription, a satellite antenna and tuner, and a device to view it on
  - this will require a power source for both the tuner and the device
  - see satellites and their radio signals

Digital TV tuner USB dongles

the main critical aspects in choosing one for your device include:
- does it support the digital TV protocol for your region?
  - Australia and NZ are still using DVB-T along with many other countries
  - Much of Europe has upgraded to DVB-T2
  - USA has a different protocol again - ATSC
- will it work on your device operating system?
  - most USB-A dongles are only designed for 32bit Windows - not sure if they will work on 64bit Windows!
  - many Android dongles are older micro USB
    - you could get a USB-C to female micro USB To Go cable
  - there are some USB-C dongles which may suit your newer Android device
    - Geniatech MyGica PT362 for DVB-T2 and DVB-T
      - this requires the Pad TV HD software downloadable from Google Play Store or from https://www.mygica.com/support/
      - https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32919086252.html ~$AU60
- does it have a remote control or will you need to use the software on your device?
- is their software available that is compatible with the dongle?
  - you may need to download the DVB-T driver from Google Store for Android devices and then also other software such as Pad TV HD app to view TV and change channels
  - on 32bit Windows most are probably compatible with Microsoft drivers and software
  - there may be issues with 64bit Windows

BEWARE not all DVB-T2 dongles will also support DVB-T!
NB. most of these require 75 Ohm antenna input (you can't just use your 50 Ohm radio antenna)