multituner

Multituner refers to a device or software configuration that supports more than one tuner, enabling simultaneous reception or recording of multiple television channels or radio streams. In television systems, a multituner can include multiple tuners installed in a single chassis, or a set of networked tuners that appear to the user as a single virtual device. The primary advantage is parallel channel access for timeshifting, recording, or watching different channels on different displays.

Operation involves a centralized control layer that schedules tuners according to user requests. Tuners may be based on DVB-S2, DVB-T/T2, ATSC, or other broadcast standards depending on region. The system assigns available tuners to channel requests, uses EPG data for guide information, and may store program metadata. When configured for recording, it can capture multiple programs simultaneously or allow live viewing on one channel while others are being recorded.

Hardware multituners are commonly integrated in set-top boxes or dedicated DVRs; networked tuners connect via Ethernet and are controlled by software such as MythTV, Tvheadend, Plex, or vendor frontends. In Linux-based environments, a central backend exposes tuners to multiple clients and manages recording queues, while frontends provide the user interface.

Typical use cases include home entertainment systems that require recording multiple programs at once or watching one channel while recording others. In larger installations, such as campuses or small cable headends, multituners enable higher channel capture rates and more flexible scheduling.

Examples of multituner products include networked tuners such as HDHomeRun and multi-tuner DVRs from various vendors. The concept is widely implemented in consumer and professional video systems, with ongoing improvements in software integration, compatibility with streaming devices, and support for new broadcast standards.