using a laptop to watch TV - what do I need

[RogerP]

I'm trying to lighten the load and I have it in mind to possibly leave the TV at home and use my laptop.

Ideally I want to be able to connect the laptop to either the built in aerial and get Freeview or to my Satelite sky digi-box.

Can anyone tell me if its possible and what I'd need?

Cheers

Roger

 

[chris_374367451]

Hi we have just started using the laptop for the same reason

What we did is get a wintv kit which is basically a small dongle type bit that you plug into your USB port and connect to your ariel, you then scan and pick up freeview channels. We got our wintv from pc world cost about

 

[SillyBilly]

Hi Chris

Does this give you all the freeview channels in full screen mode?

What about if you have a Freesat aerial?

 

[chris_374367451]

HI, i pick up more freeview channels while i`m in my caravan then i do when at home. we have the directional roof ariel on our caravan[ not the one that looks like a dome]and useing the program that comes with wintv you can watch tv in part or full screen and you will also pick up the radio channels.If you go to pc world web site search product code 501556 they have the same model as mine for

 

[swpostie]

Hi RogerP,

Hauppage make a great variety of TV receivers for PCs and laptops.

I've been using them for years and they're really one of the best. At present I use a combined analogue and digital tuner in my laptop (if the digital signal is no good you can usually still get a reasonable analogue signal - for the time being!).

My TV tuner fits an Expresscard slot on my laptop though they are also available for a USB connection.

A lot of them come with remote control and recording software - and you can group your favourite channels in one folder to save flicking through all of them!

 

[Peter_374355840]

The software that normally comes with these usb stick`s are useless.

I personally use GBPVR, free software which is fantastic.

Media centre software, view and record TV, set seasion recording, view pictures, listen to your music, weather forcast`s, cinema listings, sports results. lots and lots more

Have a look here WWW.GBPVR.COM

 

[RogerP]

many thanks for the replies so far , very helpful.

Can anyone tell though what I'd need to connect up my Sat Dish digi box to the laptop? Are there any adapters?

Sorry if I'm being dumb

 

[TheTurk]

No, I don't think you are being dumb. I wonder the same. I have a Sky sat system built in the van and was wondering about using a laptop as a second tv fed from the RF output in the bedroom. No need to tune it other than to receive the sat signal, so I would welcome "plain speaking" advice as well.

Ian