I was thinking that buying a TV tuner and using it with my laptop would be a cheaper alternative to buying a television for college. If I have a TV tuner, do I still have to pay a monthly bill for cable or digital cable or whatever? Or do I just install the tuner and I can automatically watch TV?
2007-08-12 22:08:45 · 8 answers · asked by J C 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Laptops & Notebooks
After looking on my schools website, they DO offer free cable. So just to clarify...I'm going to need a TV tuner and antennae? Or just the tuner? Do I need a cable box? Or any special wires?
2007-08-12 22:27:49 · update #1
If the tuner you are looking at is anything like the one I have yes you can watch TV by using the antenna that comes in the kit but you will only be able to pick up networks that broadcast over air like you local NBC, CBS, Etc and you will need to pay no bill, if you can pick up those stations. Think of it like the old Rabbit ear antennas that used to be on TVs in the early days, same principle.
2007-08-12 22:27:37 · answer #1 · answered by jet_blackdawg 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The resolution and refresh rate of your TV and Computer screens are different. Now the TV input that you get, is naturally created for TVs, not PCs. So to make the TV input compatible to your laptop, TV Tuner has been invented. Some TV Tuners like some models of Pinnacle have added benefits of recording as well. So, in layman words, TV Tuner is just a signal converter and nothing else.
All other things like payment options remain same as that with a TV.
Good thing about watching TV in laptop is you avoid all the hassles of recording and happens pretty fast, if you have the right TV tuner.
2007-08-12 22:31:57 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Depends on the level of service you want.
Any pay channels will require a cable box, and digital channels (usually anything about around channel 70) will require a cable box. For just standard/basic cable, the tv tuner card will work fine.
Naturally, you'll still have to pay your cable bill, whether you get expanded service or not.
Edit:
If they are providing basic cable, then all you need is the tv-tuner.
2007-08-12 22:18:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Unless they give you free cable, you need to get the tv signal from somewhere!
Fortunately, a lot of local channels, including a lot of Hi Def stations, are now broadcasting on the open airways.
For this, you'll need a tuner, AND a proper antannae!! Expect only basic programming, and a limited number of channels (and marginal quality).
If you need something better, try sharing a cable connection with a friend, and hook your pc! I would suggest a tv tuner with recording features, and a remote control. Great stuff...
2007-08-12 22:24:55 · answer #4 · answered by Jim 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you're moving into a dorm see if you get cable TV in your dorm for free. Some give it to you some dont. If you don't you will have to pay for it. You're buying a tuner and if you have no signal coming into it you have nothing to tune. If you're going to use your puter as a TV don't go cheap on the tuner. A good one will give you TV quality some others will give you a headache. Also make sure you have the latest drivers for your video card.
2007-08-12 22:49:29 · answer #5 · answered by s j 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Maybe you can try this: http://satellite-tv-on-computer.info
they say:
You Can Get over 3000 STATIONS on your PC. You don’t need a satellite dish, receiver, or any cable or satellite service! All you need is an internet connection and a computer. Watch all these channels anywhere in the world. More than 1 million users are already enjoying the incredible variety.
2007-08-13 13:27:57 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, of course. You can use the cable from your television :)
2007-08-12 22:18:34 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i guess not.
2007-08-13 21:23:25 · answer #8 · answered by The Game 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋