Is it possibale to watch TV from a laptop? I like to travel with the laptop so I can view & store photo's on it, would be good if we could leave the TV at home.
Margaret
Margaret
TV from Laptop ?
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Hi Margaret
yes it's possible. Some laptops have a TV tuner built in (eg My Sony Vaio) but you can buy tiny USB receivers that plug in and all you then need is the normal aerial. Some of these even include Freeview. I bought one from PC World but unfortunately had to return it as the makers said the subtitles were not good and I need this facility as I have hearing difficulty.
Have a google for "USB TV"
All the best
Jim
yes it's possible. Some laptops have a TV tuner built in (eg My Sony Vaio) but you can buy tiny USB receivers that plug in and all you then need is the normal aerial. Some of these even include Freeview. I bought one from PC World but unfortunately had to return it as the makers said the subtitles were not good and I need this facility as I have hearing difficulty.
Have a google for "USB TV"
All the best
Jim
You can get USB equipment which comes up with everything (menus, channels etc) you would get on a normal TV or digibox for around
G
Guest
My son in-law has this and it works fine.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48873&C=ProdVid&U=48873&ShowVid=Y&doy=7m12
http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=48873&C=ProdVid&U=48873&ShowVid=Y&doy=7m12
euro
Love the description
"The design of light and handy is matched stylish you. No matter traveling worldwide or live in the tiny apartment, KWorld DVB-T355U Dongle USB2.0 offers you the smartest multimedia entertainment!"
Love the description
"The design of light and handy is matched stylish you. No matter traveling worldwide or live in the tiny apartment, KWorld DVB-T355U Dongle USB2.0 offers you the smartest multimedia entertainment!"
G
Guest
I have to say that " Dongle " TV seems an apt description of some of UK TV's offering and some of the so called celebs on it {;-)
Search Google for "Hauppage" who produce a range of analogue/digital usb/pc-card based tv receivers for both laptops and desktops. Bear in mind that the analogue versions won't "convert" to digital, even with a digibox.
RogerL
You are right but you can run from a freeview box to the analogue Hauppage USB box using a frigged scart to phono lead - if anyone wants to know how to do it I will post how.
It is easier to buy a DVB-T unit but my existing laptop is to ancient to run a DVB-T converter and I did this a couple of years back.
I can get the info fairly easily because I posted it on a Hauppage forum at the time.
You are right but you can run from a freeview box to the analogue Hauppage USB box using a frigged scart to phono lead - if anyone wants to know how to do it I will post how.
It is easier to buy a DVB-T unit but my existing laptop is to ancient to run a DVB-T converter and I did this a couple of years back.
I can get the info fairly easily because I posted it on a Hauppage forum at the time.
Interesting Garry, do you use a normal Scart to phono lead, or do some of the pins have to be changed?
G
Guest
I recently got a new Sony laptop with media Center installed so got myself a cheap USB digital stick. Be aware that they need quite a Strong signal to receive all the services so not always suitable.
I did use it on one trip but always had a niggle in the back of my mind that a lot of money's worth of equipment was in the van that could be carried away easily.
I did use it on one trip but always had a niggle in the back of my mind that a lot of money's worth of equipment was in the van that could be carried away easily.
G
Guest
Steve, Sounds like similar set up to my son in-laws, he has a top notch media Vaio.
His USB dongle takes a normal aerial lead so can use the caravan aerial system works very well.
His USB dongle takes a normal aerial lead so can use the caravan aerial system works very well.
Ref running freeview box to laptop via analogue USB adapter
Euro
The reason for doing this - If you have an old laptop like mine it will simply not run a digital adapter.
If you look at the hardware/software requirements for all digital TV USB adapters you will see that you are looking at specs that only machines around up to around 3-4 years old would have. My laptop is around 6 years old and I will be replacing it with an MCE laptop soon.
Until then.....
RogerL
This is how to do it ( my post from Hauppage forum some time ago).
You will be able to use the same lead to connect DVB-S (satellite) as well, some boxs only have scart outputs and not rf.
"I was having trouble sorting out connections from freeview to WinTV USB and managed to sort it using the following.
Use scart to composite lead - these off the shelf leads seem to be configured to input information from a source with composite to a destination with scart (i.e. camcorder to video or TV) this is not what we want but can be changed as follows.
The cable I used was scart composite to 2 x phono plugs
Look for a scart socket that comes apart (not moulded) look for a screw collar and then they just snap apart.
for the audio I used a phono to DIN adaptor and for the video the phono to SVideo adaptor that came with the card.
If you do not have the audio adapter use the lead from an old set of headphones.
You can either resolder or just pop the pins out from the back by pressing in the small protrusion on the pin and connect them as follows
AUDIO
Scart Pin 1 Audio right out
Scart Pin 3 Audio left out (for mono both mine are connected together but I believe 3 is the norm) - These should connect through to the centre connector on the phono or audio in plug
Scart Pin 4 Audio return - Connects to outer on audio in plug
VIDEO
Scart Pin 17 Composite video out return (outer of phono plug)
Scart Pin 19 Composite video out (centre of phono plug)
After setting up the channel as Composite/SVideo I have mono sound and reasonable colour from the freeview box .
This is nowhere near as complicated as it sounds - it takes about 20 mins - have a go."
Euro
The reason for doing this - If you have an old laptop like mine it will simply not run a digital adapter.
If you look at the hardware/software requirements for all digital TV USB adapters you will see that you are looking at specs that only machines around up to around 3-4 years old would have. My laptop is around 6 years old and I will be replacing it with an MCE laptop soon.
Until then.....
RogerL
This is how to do it ( my post from Hauppage forum some time ago).
You will be able to use the same lead to connect DVB-S (satellite) as well, some boxs only have scart outputs and not rf.
"I was having trouble sorting out connections from freeview to WinTV USB and managed to sort it using the following.
Use scart to composite lead - these off the shelf leads seem to be configured to input information from a source with composite to a destination with scart (i.e. camcorder to video or TV) this is not what we want but can be changed as follows.
The cable I used was scart composite to 2 x phono plugs
Look for a scart socket that comes apart (not moulded) look for a screw collar and then they just snap apart.
for the audio I used a phono to DIN adaptor and for the video the phono to SVideo adaptor that came with the card.
If you do not have the audio adapter use the lead from an old set of headphones.
You can either resolder or just pop the pins out from the back by pressing in the small protrusion on the pin and connect them as follows
AUDIO
Scart Pin 1 Audio right out
Scart Pin 3 Audio left out (for mono both mine are connected together but I believe 3 is the norm) - These should connect through to the centre connector on the phono or audio in plug
Scart Pin 4 Audio return - Connects to outer on audio in plug
VIDEO
Scart Pin 17 Composite video out return (outer of phono plug)
Scart Pin 19 Composite video out (centre of phono plug)
After setting up the channel as Composite/SVideo I have mono sound and reasonable colour from the freeview box .
This is nowhere near as complicated as it sounds - it takes about 20 mins - have a go."
G
Guest
I am not making any comment re the viability of getting tv on a laptop, it is relatively easy these days as long as you park in a good signal area. I merely comment on what you actually are likely to be watching?
My wife has just come through to tell me that BBC2 has decided to show snooker from 1.30 pm through to 5.30 pm and cancelled, yet again all the things she likes to watch such as Ready Steady Cook. The evening schedules don't have much to offer either unless you are in to soaps or some person having a traumatic experience. I know we used to joke about the Soviet Union showing programmes about the joys of Number 36 Tractor factory, but I have now realised that we have followed suit. We are usually resorting to ITV3 and watch the repeats as they are the only things bearable, apart from all the adverts.
My wife has just come through to tell me that BBC2 has decided to show snooker from 1.30 pm through to 5.30 pm and cancelled, yet again all the things she likes to watch such as Ready Steady Cook. The evening schedules don't have much to offer either unless you are in to soaps or some person having a traumatic experience. I know we used to joke about the Soviet Union showing programmes about the joys of Number 36 Tractor factory, but I have now realised that we have followed suit. We are usually resorting to ITV3 and watch the repeats as they are the only things bearable, apart from all the adverts.
Personally I can't be bothered with TV in the caravan - but then I can't be bothered to have it at home either.
Sooner spend the licence money on DVD's, which I watch on my laptop.
Sooner spend the licence money on DVD's, which I watch on my laptop.
Margaret
I have a TV card in my PC and a USB stick for my laptop so have a little experience of this.
I suggest you get this
http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10289372&pid=0&rstrat=3166
It is both digital and normal TV signal ready and is from a good manufacturer. Costs a bit more but worth the extra
Steve
I have a TV card in my PC and a USB stick for my laptop so have a little experience of this.
I suggest you get this
http://www.savastore.com/productinfo/product.aspx?catalog_name=Savastore&product_id=10289372&pid=0&rstrat=3166
It is both digital and normal TV signal ready and is from a good manufacturer. Costs a bit more but worth the extra
Steve
OK, so to be more constructive in the desired direction.
If you are using a TV card (USB or PCMCIA) on a laptop, the software that comes with it should also enable you to use the hard disc as a video recorder.
Laptop discs probably don't hold all that much, but you can add an external USB disc with lots of space for quite a reasonable figure.
By the way, nobody has mentioned the necesary laptop spec; it needs to have USB2 (if using USB devices) and a processor at least 800Mhz. Less than this and performance can be uncertain.
If you are using a TV card (USB or PCMCIA) on a laptop, the software that comes with it should also enable you to use the hard disc as a video recorder.
Laptop discs probably don't hold all that much, but you can add an external USB disc with lots of space for quite a reasonable figure.
By the way, nobody has mentioned the necesary laptop spec; it needs to have USB2 (if using USB devices) and a processor at least 800Mhz. Less than this and performance can be uncertain.
Oldfogey
I did mention that you needed to check the requirements - you can run some analogue adapters on 500Mhz although I did not have the PVR (recorder) facility at that speed.
I did mention that you needed to check the requirements - you can run some analogue adapters on 500Mhz although I did not have the PVR (recorder) facility at that speed.
Thank you every one for the advice. We have decided to leave the TV behind when we go to Scotland.
Happy Christmas to you all.
Margaret
Happy Christmas to you all.
Margaret
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