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11 Replies Last post: Dec 4, 2008 5:32 AM by coastie65

Napalass

1 posts since
Sep 25, 2008

Sep 25, 2008 5:43 PM

Watching TV on computer

I'd like recommendations for watching TV on my laptop without having to load hardware. Also, please add why you like your recommendation's program. Thanks!

rgreen4

6,831 posts since
Oct 22, 2006

1. Sep 25, 2008 7:10 PM

in response to: Napalass

Re: Watching TV on computer

First of all you cannot watch TV on any computer without some hardware device being installed. Now in a desktop, this is normally handled by a TV tuner card. What type of card you need depends on how you get your TV signal.

If for example you get your signal from a digital cable box or satellite TV, then you cannot get by without the box. That box will then have to be connected to the line input of a TV input device. If you want to receive TV off the air, then you will want a HD tuner, since the SD over the air channels will disappear within six months.

For a laptop this device would have to be connected to the USB ports most likely. My best advice is to go to Newegg.com and in the search box at the top enter TV and then chose one of the sub-categories, then peruse the available devises and customer ratings to make your choice.

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Adama

6,570 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

2. Sep 25, 2008 7:20 PM

in response to: Napalass

Re: Watching TV on computer

Hi Napalass, and welcome to PCWorld Community.

Another way of watching TV on your computer is to go to the TV Station's website. Most of them now show their latest shows the day after.

Easy and painless, no need to buy extra hardware. I catch up with some of my shows that way.

smax013

6,494 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

3. Sep 25, 2008 9:53 PM

in response to: rgreen4

Re: Watching TV on computer

rgreen4 wrote:First of all you cannot watch TV on any computer without some hardware device being installed. Now in a desktop, this is normally handled by a TV tuner card. What type of card you need depends on how you get your TV signal.

If for example you get your signal from a digital cable box or satellite TV, then you cannot get by without the box. That box will then have to be connected to the line input of a TV input device. If you want to receive TV off the air, then you will want a HD tuner, since the SD over the air channels will disappear within six months.

For a laptop this device would have to be connected to the USB ports most likely. My best advice is to go to Newegg.com and in the search box at the top enter TV and then chose one of the sub-categories, then peruse the available devises and customer ratings to make your choice.

Eh, I will dicker some...kind of depends on how you define "some hardware device being installed". If you mean that you cannot watch TV on computer without installing some hardware device on the COMPUTER, then you are wrong. If you mean installing some hardware device in general (no necessarily on/in the computer), then I would agree more.

I watch TV on ALL my computers using a SlingBox. It is a device that you connect to your cable line/cable box/DVR/DVD player/VCR/video device and your network. It then can stream your video connection (i.e. cable TV signal) over your network to your computers. Then you only need to install software on the computer.

I will note that there are also websites that allow you to watch full TV episodes online either for free or for money. While this is NOT live TV, they are TV episodes. And no specific hardware is necessary.

[soapbox] Backup = good...No backup = bad!! [/soap box]

Adama

6,570 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

4. Sep 26, 2008 3:45 PM

in response to: Napalass

Re: Watching TV on computer

@ Smax

I've heard of Slingbox, and I've seen it at BestBuy and other places. I don't think it costs too much $ either. But I never knew of anybody who actually is using it, so I'm glad that's working for you.

@ Napalass

There's also huluTV which carries episodes of current TV shows, all free and legal. You can find just about anything there.

And VeohTV which has a very different array of TV shows, including Anime of all sorts (I use this one to watch Naruto Shippuuden.) All you have to do is download their Veoh Player - which is free - and you're in business.

With Veoh you have to be a little choosy, because some of the shows they carry may not be appropriate for everybody.

smax013

6,494 posts since
Jan 28, 2007

5. Sep 26, 2008 10:08 PM

in response to: Adama

Re: Watching TV on computer

Adama wrote:
@ Smax

I've heard of Slingbox, and I've seen it at BestBuy and other places. I don't think it costs too much $ either. But I never knew of anybody who actually is using it, so I'm glad that's working for you.

It works rather well...and I can watch remotely on ANY computer (with a broadband connection) that connects to the Internet (as long as you install the software). I can also watch my TV signal with my Palm Treo 755p phone from anywhere I get a wireless signal.

Adama wrote:

There's also huluTV which carries episodes of current TV shows, all free and legal. You can find just about anything there.

Hulu does not have all network shows. You will certainly find current NBC shows and older shows.

You can also get a lot of full episodes of major network shows from the network websites. They don't offer every single one, but you can get the VAST majority of TV episodes from the network sites.

And then there is iTunes and Amazon...both offer TV episodes for download...for a fee...generally, it is $1.99 per episode. iTunes will play on any Windoze or Mac computer, iPods (nano, Classic, Touch and iPhone) and AppleTV. Amazon will now play on any Windoze or Mac computer I believe (even Linux, I think) and you can also download them to some portable players and TiVo devices, I believe.

[soapbox] Backup = good...No backup = bad!! [/soap box]

Adama

6,570 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

6. Sep 27, 2008 12:52 PM

in response to: smax013

Re: Watching TV on computer

smax013 wrote:

Hulu does not have all network shows. You will certainly find current NBC shows and older shows.

You can also get a lot of full episodes of major network shows from the network websites. They don't offer every single one, but you can get the VAST majority of TV episodes from the network sites.

Yeah, I found that out when I tried watching The Mentalist on hulu last night, and it wasn't available.

I ended up going to CBS (link above) and watching it there. The picture was very high quality; the only drawback is that if you miss something, there's no back button to rewind the thing.

maria987

5 posts since
Dec 2, 2008

7. Dec 3, 2008 3:22 PM

in response to: Napalass

Re: Watching TV on computer

The best thing to do is just to go to hulu.com. It works just like youtube, but they have a great selection of tv shows. There are some shows on youtube too, but hulu is better. Some networks have free episodes on their websites. Sometimes you have to load software though, and the software is usually slow on most of them.

Adama

6,570 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

8. Dec 3, 2008 3:25 PM

in response to: Napalass

Re: Watching TV on computer

Hi again, Napalass,

I wonder if some/any of our suggestions worked out for you?

Visit us again and let us know of your findings.

coastie65

9,163 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

9. Dec 3, 2008 3:44 PM

in response to: Adama

Re: Watching TV on computer

This thing is a little over 2 months old. I doubt if we'll be getting a response. coastie

eMachines T5212.... Intel Pentium D 945 3.4Ghz..... evga 9800 GT 512 Mb PCI-E video card..... Realtec HD audio......2 Gb Crucial 667 Mhz DDR2 memory..... Lite on CD RW; DVD RW, DL,& Lightscribe optical drive...... Windows XP MCE 2005....... Antec Basiq 500w PSU......200 Gb Parallel ATA HDD.........Samsung 22" WS SyncMaster 2243BWX Monitor.

Adama

6,570 posts since
Sep 7, 2007

10. Dec 3, 2008 9:36 PM

in response to: coastie65

Re: Watching TV on computer

That's exactly the reason why I posted a comment. Maybe he'll get the email notif and get back here, give us some info and mark it as Answered?

coastie65

9,163 posts since
Apr 2, 2007

11. Dec 4, 2008 5:32 AM

in response to: Adama

Re: Watching TV on computer

Good point. Guess I missed that angle.

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Sep 25, 2008 5:43 PM

Watching TV on computer

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