TV In Window A On Computer

[Nick250]

As if I didn't already spend too much time at my computer I would like to be able to watch and listen to ball games, news etc. in a window on my computer. I am hoping I can waltz over to Comp USA and grab a TV card to put in my computer, load some software and plug my comcast into the card. A USB solution would be fine too. I only care about the analogue basic cable, no digital stuff, so I don't think I need a cable box.

The above looks pretty straightforward. Are there "gotchas" in this process? Running Widows XP, 512 Ram, 2.8 processor.

Thanks

Nick

 

[drunkmunk]

I use a ati all in wonder 9600xt and it does exactly that. and if you use ie 7 you can even use the tv screen as part of your web browser (or seperate window). and just like you said just plug the coax into the card and have it search for channels and all your analog channels will show up. it does have a tendency to eat up ram and page file because it's buffering and recording while your watching it. I would probably put another stick of ram to bring it up to a gig once you add your capture card. it's not nessacary but will help you maintain your pc's performance while watching.

 

[ironlung]

other options

Cards with a QAM tuner will be able to get QAM channels that are not encrypted. Most cable cos have the HD feeds in the clear of broadcast networks. Just FYI if your using cable and not OTA antenna. Divco fusion makes a USB digital cable tuner buggyness may vary.

I think the ATI card would only get the analog channels with it's NTSC tuner so no HD of the ball game using cable as the source.

OT

If you're tech savvy and have a sattelite dish you can get a DVB-S card and some "special" software. Depending where you point the dish you can get everything!

 

[mustang_steve]

I used to run dual-display, and put the TV fullscreen on one window, and what I was doing on the other display. i also had a VCR wired into it, so I could watch movies, DVDs, and TV on my computer.....oh, and I had an FM tuner card, and cassette deck running into it at one time.

Talk about a "full multimedia experience"

 

[Nick250]

I used to run dual-display, and put the TV fullscreen on one window, and what I was doing on the other display. i also had a VCR wired into it, so I could watch movies, DVDs, and TV on my computer.....oh, and I had an FM tuner card, and cassette deck running into it at one time.

Talk about a "full multimedia experience"

That was quite a set up. I ended up buying a little 15" LCD TV. It sits on a TV tray/table next to me that used to hold my printer. I haven't worked out where the printer is going to go, but I hardly every use it anyway.

Nick

 

[mikeyj92]

I see you got a 15" tv already, but I still recommend one of these:

http://www.ati.com/products/tvwonderusb20/index.html

I have had mine for quite some time now and it works great, and it is nice to know I don't have to worry about getting a PC with a TV tuner built in if I don't want to since I own this "card" and can just keep putting on my latest PC.

It requires a USB 2.0 connection and is fully external and can take s-video, composite or Coax inputs.

 

[mustang_steve]

My next project is a bit simpler....TV/HDTV tuner cards, a HTPC style case for my computer, and a 30" Dell display (Same display as the apple cinema, just cheaper and Dell branded).

Hard part is saving up the coin to do it...I'm a massive shopaholic....mostly for red meat...mmm steak!