video capture/tuner question

[Inspector Jihad]

I'm going to have access to a cable box, however I don't have a TV. What do I need to use my laptop as a TV? I guess I don't need a tuner because the cable box will be doing that right? Thanks

 

[Inspector Jihad]

 

[Jax Omen]

Most laptops don't have video inputs, do they?

I'd think you'd still need a capture card of some sort, just to provide input from the cable box to the laptop.

 

[Binky]

The TV tuner usually acts as the video input when you use a cable/sat box. Some tuners are available in USB that include the video input, like the "avertv hybrid ultra."

But that's only the hardware part. You need software too, like MCE 2005, or Vista Pro/Ultimate. The software sometimes included with TV tuners is generally pretty weak.

 

[Inspector Jihad]

is there any good free software?