Please help this noob who wants to watch tv.

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NervousNovice2

Junior Member
Jul 19, 2005
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I know the basic about computers but know nothing about how to watch TV on my computer. I heard that I just need a TV tuner card and plug my cable in. Hmm...

What exactly do I need?

I don't need fancy features to record/encode/edit videos. I just wanna watch tv. I don't need a remote control either. I don't want to spend a lot of $ but I want to get some reliable and quality hardwares.

The cheapest ones I found from Asus here and here. Are they ok or bad?


Those TV tuner cards usually say "FM". So I can listen to FM radio? Is there any cards with AM radio?

Please help. Thanks a lot.



How do I know which one is better? What should I look for to differentiate one product/performance from another?
 
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DaveSimmons

Elite Member
Aug 12, 2001
40,730
670
126
If you don't care about recording almost any $20-30 card will be fine. Not sure about AM radio.

I'd suggest going to newegg.com and look over what they have for cheap, since they list user ratings and reviews.

Note on cable: the cards will not "unscramble" protected channels and won't work with digital channels. You might only get local channels (2-13) or you might also be able to watch some cable channels.
 
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V00D00

Golden Member
May 25, 2003
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Any card that can be used to view tv can also be used to record tv.

Either of those ASUS cards would be good. The first one has a remote though, so I would suggest that one.

If they include a remote, then they must include some kind of software that interfaces with the remote. Usually the software bundled is capable of recording and all that jazz too. So it seems like you picked a good one there.

edit
I'm not sure, but by the looks of it, that one with the remote might only support PAL. PAL is the TV format in Europe. If you live in the states be sure you get a card that supports NTSC.
 
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NervousNovice2

Junior Member
Jul 19, 2005
21
0
0
Originally posted by: V00D00
edit
I'm not sure, but by the looks of it, that one with the remote might only support PAL. PAL is the TV format in Europe. If you live in the states be sure you get a card that supports NTSC.
Click to expand...

I just checked. That Asus 7135 spec says it's Philips NTSC or PAL. So I think it supports both.

How about this MSI card here Do you think it's better than the Asus?
 
akugami

akugami

Diamond Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,210
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I used a cheap ATI AIW card. Had a pretty cheap wireless Logitech keyboard/mouse combo and that was basically my remote. If you're not looking for any fancy features almost any TV tuner cards will do, though quality of the card and accompanying software may affect viewing pleasure.
 
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Stvfarmboy

Member
Jul 4, 2005
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From what people have said on other topics here XFX would be a brand to stay away from. Is there any other brands you would say NOT to get? Thanks for the advice.
 
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NervousNovice2

Junior Member
Jul 19, 2005
21
0
0
Must I use the software that comes with the TV Tuner to watch tv? Or I can just use the TV Tuner to get the connection and watch the content in other softwares?
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
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Originally posted by: NervousNovice2
Must I use the software that comes with the TV Tuner to watch tv? Or I can just use the TV Tuner to get the connection and watch the content in other softwares?
Click to expand...
For most, any software will work. The easiet way is to google for Linux support. Most of them now, though, are not tied to any specific software.
 
Cerb

Cerb

Elite Member
Aug 26, 2000
17,484
33
86
Originally posted by: NervousNovice2
Are ATI TV Wonder cards better? Even the basic one?

My graphic card is 9200SE 128MB. Is it weak to watch tv?
Click to expand...
They're good, just a touch expensive. The video card has little to do with it.
 
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NervousNovice2

Junior Member
Jul 19, 2005
21
0
0
Thanks.

Actually, I wanna have an idea. How much in real life does an expensive card differ from a cheaper one? For example, a cheap graphic card is really much worse than the expensive models. Does the same happen for tv tuners? Or is it the case that the difference between an expensive ATI card and the Asus cards above is just a few %?
 
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Pix3lDezigner

Member
Aug 30, 2005
109
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Since I got my Dell 2005FPW with picture-in-picture, I also am interested in getting a TV Tuner. I have a couple of questions for the people in the know.

1. If I have regular cable with like 75 channels, will I get all of those on my computer as well? It seems like somebody here said you would only get like 2-13. I would want all the channels if I were to get one, i.e. ESPN.

2. I only have one cable coming out of my wall, how can I have cable connection to my TV and my computer at the same time? Is there an in and out where I go into the computer and out to the TV or vice versa?

Thank you!
-Pix3lDezigner
 
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RKS

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
6,824
3
81
Originally posted by: Pix3lDezigner
Since I got my Dell 2005FPW with picture-in-picture, I also am interested in getting a TV Tuner. I have a couple of questions for the people in the know.

1. If I have regular cable with like 75 channels, will I get all of those on my computer as well? It seems like somebody here said you would only get like 2-13. I would want all the channels if I were to get one, i.e. ESPN.

2. I only have one cable coming out of my wall, how can I have cable connection to my TV and my computer at the same time? Is there an in and out where I go into the computer and out to the TV or vice versa?

Thank you!
-Pix3lDezigner
Click to expand...


1. the card software will usually allow you to choose input such as over-the-air analog stations (probably not a great quality picture) or cable input. Choose Cable and the software will cycle through and recognize all of you cable stations.

3. You can get a co-axial 'splitter'. the main cable line goes into the splitter and two 'out' lines are for your tv and computer/tv card.
 
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Pix3lDezigner

Member
Aug 30, 2005
109
0
0
Originally posted by: RKS
Originally posted by: Pix3lDezigner
Since I got my Dell 2005FPW with picture-in-picture, I also am interested in getting a TV Tuner. I have a couple of questions for the people in the know.

1. If I have regular cable with like 75 channels, will I get all of those on my computer as well? It seems like somebody here said you would only get like 2-13. I would want all the channels if I were to get one, i.e. ESPN.

2. I only have one cable coming out of my wall, how can I have cable connection to my TV and my computer at the same time? Is there an in and out where I go into the computer and out to the TV or vice versa?

Thank you!
-Pix3lDezigner
Click to expand...


1. the card software will usually allow you to choose input such as over-the-air analog stations (probably not a great quality picture) or cable input. Choose Cable and the software will cycle through and recognize all of you cable stations.

3. You can get a co-axial 'splitter'. the main cable line goes into the splitter and two 'out' lines are for your tv and computer/tv card.
Click to expand...

Thank you very much! Also, sorry if I hijacked this thread in any way.
-Pix3lDezigner
 
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