Cutting the cable is one of our favorite topics here at Tom's Guide. It is of interest not only to our readers, but to ourselves as well. I have documented the process of cutting the cord and saving astronomical cable bills. My colleague, Henry T. Casey, went through a similar journey (and we chose the cord-cutting method).

However, both Henry and I engaged in the quest to eliminate cable TV by finding the best alternatives to cable TV, live TV streaming services like Sling, Fubo, and YouTube TV. We wanted a specific list of channels and the ability to watch them live or DVR them. Then I got an email from a reader named Skip. He asked if there was a way to watch local channels on his computer, but without having to pay a monthly subscription fee for a live TV service.

Thus I discovered the USB TV tuner.

You are probably familiar with TV antennas. The best TV antennas receive the channels on the air for free. There are several different types, ranging from old-fashioned rabbit-eared antennas, to newer flat matte options, to larger outdoor models. Many antennas have dual VHF/UHF reception and an amplifier to amplify the signal. Most antennas connect to a TV or other device via coaxial cable.

USB TV tuners connect the antenna directly to the computer, not the TV. The coaxial cable is connected to one side of the tuner and the USB side to a port on the computer.

Usually, these USB TV tuners come with software with DVR capabilities, allowing you to record programs or watch one program while recording another. Some support QAM service, which is an unencrypted service offered by some cable companies. Some support QAM service, which allows users to receive unencrypted cable TV channels offered by some cable companies. [The AVerTV Volar Hybrid Q USB TV Tuner and the Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD Dual USB 2.0 HD TV Tuner are highly rated on Amazon and cost about $60.

The other great thing about these USB TV tuners is that they are portable - as long as you travel with an antenna. Even if you are going somewhere that doesn't have a TV, you can still watch or record live news, sports, and entertainment programs. While not the exact same local channels you watch at home, you have access to extensive programming from ABC, CBS, Fox, and NBC.

The USB TV tuner sounded like the answer to Skip's cord-cutting dilemma. I also considered how it might work for me.

However, I ran into a couple of problems: first, Skip specifically asked about watching local channels on his MacBook. Since I also have a MacBook, this question particularly struck a chord with me.

Unfortunately, most USB TV tuners are only compatible with PCs. All three models above work with Windows.

For Macs, Elgato's EyeTV series became the standard for TV tuners, but the company no longer makes them for the US market; they are still resold on Ebay and elsewhere.

Geniatech manufactures its own version, the EyeTV U6 Pocket-Sized Tuner Stick. And, as with peripherals and accessories, Macs tend to cost more than PCs: live TV on Mac, iPhone, and iPad, as well as PC and Android devices; support for DVRs, electronic program guides, and storing favorite channels; and the ability to stream live TV on a Mac, iPhone, and iPad, as well as PCs and Android devices.

Beyond Geniatech, however, there are really no other options for the Mac.

Ultimately, USB tuners don't make much sense to me; live TV services like Sling have all the content and features I need, and I'm willing to pay for them because they are much cheaper than my old cable bill. Even if I were to limit myself to local programming only, having a MacBook means that I essentially have only one hardware option.

But others, like Skip, might find this a better solution: a USB TV tuner is a one-time investment with no monthly subscription fee. Fortunately, cord cutting has become much easier thanks to a variety of methods. In fact, since writing this article, cord cutters have discovered yet another new way to watch and DVR broadcast TV. It's all about finding what works for you.