USB External PC TV Tuner - Recommendations?

talk random
1

Hey everyone,
I’m wondering if anyone has any experience with external PC TV tuners. I’m interested in one of those USB ones that will hook up to my laptop and allow me to watch cable tv on my laptop’s screen.

The only decent ones I’ve managed to see are by Hauppage, but that requires my laptop to have a Line In input for sound. Unfortunately, my laptop does not have such an input.

Is it possible to have one small box that sends both video and audio via the USB 2.0 ports on my laptop instead?

Thanks!
Kirupa :ro:

2

I purchased aabout 2 weeks ago a wintv usb capture card which also works like a tv tuner it brings the plugs in order for you to get audio input from a camcorer or a vcr but i dont know about cable tv never tried it :-/

3

All the ones I just looked up require Line In, I think you may be out of luck Kman.

4

Thanks max/grim! That’s what I figured :frowning:

hmm - I wonder if getting one of the external USB sound cards like the Audigy 2 ZS External or something would be worth it haha. I don’t feel like getting a real TV because that would require an extra weight that I’ll need to carry around the dorm when moving every year. I don’t feel like spending a lot for a flat panel either :slight_smile:

I hope Ken Jennings loses on Jeopardy, then I won’t have to worry about needing a TV to watch the show lol.

5

Find the cheapest sound card with Line In and then get the TV. How many USB ports do you have?

You might need something like this:
http://www.byterunner.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=byterunner&category=USB+to+Audio+Adapters

6

I only have two, but I may look into the product link you provided. That seems pretty promising :slight_smile:

7

Keep us updated, I might buy something similar soon also.

8

I decided that it simply wasn’t worth it. I went out and bought a TV instead - Toshiba 20" FD. That came out to be a lot cheaper than having to accessorize my laptop with more stuff :slight_smile:

9

abit off topic but…is there much advantage of using your PC as a TV? imo, the screen is not only smaller, you are closer to the screen (bad for your eyes :(), and it won’t be as easy to turn away to do stuff on the computer when there’s nothing good on tv/do a quick reply to a friend’s IM :huh:

10

There’s not many advantages, but the main one I can think of is space. Have you seen the typical dorm room these days? Mine is tiny.

Also, if you have your computer hooked up to it, you basically have a Tivo where you can set your machine to record shows and stuff.

-teet

11

I like my TV on the computer because it lets me watch or listen to TV while talking to people, plus, it’s quite discreet.

12

I believe Pinnacle Systems makes those. I’m not sure what they use to connect to your computer though…

13

yep, that’s was exactly why I had considered doing this :slight_smile: in fact, aside from space it also saving cash.
[SIZE=1]thanks for the reply…you guys can go back on topic now =)[/SIZE]