With the switch over to HDTV, broadcast TV now has more channels to watch. It's become interesting again! But the new TVs are expensive. You can't buy a little cheapie TV for your office or kitchen any more. The littlest TVs cost almost the same as a big one.
However, you can get a TV tuner card or USB device for your computer, which will allow you to watch TV wherever you are.
Instructions
1. Think about where and how you want to watch TV on computer before you shop for a tuner. Just as with a regular TV, you will need a cable connection or a digital antenna - which in turn needs a spot with good reception. There is no point in buying the antenna and tuner for a location where you can't use them.
A TV tuner can also take up a lot of processing power, so if you are going to watch on a laptop, realize that it will get hot while you are watching. You'll want to think about air circulation, and you won't want the computer on your lap.
2. Check the specs before buying! You can't watch TV on your computer if the tuner card or USB device doesn't work with your system. It's also a good idea to check the consumer reviews on various sites. Even if you don't buy your device online you can find customer reviews of HDTV tuner cards, and HDTV USB tuners on retail sites like Amazon.com.
3. Decide whether you want a card that goes inside your computer, or a USB plug-in device. The card will take more effort to install, but once it's there it will be in place and out of the way. However, there may not be a card available at all for your lap top. A USB device is often cheap and quick, but it isn't quite as portable as you'd think, because some of the companies have very restrictive software that goes with it.
4. Once you buy your HDTV tuner you'll have to install it. A card will have to be physically installed inside your computer by you or a tech. A USB hdtv tuner just plugs in to the USB port. Either of these will come with a coaxial cable port to which you hook up the antenna or cable, just like a TV.
Both the internal card and the external USB tuner will also come with software that you'll need to install. This software not only allows you to watch TV in a window, but it usually also lets you record video on your hard drive, just like a TiVo. As I mentioned before, sometime this software has strict copy protection on it. Make sure you have your serial number handy, and it is always best to install it while connected to the internet.
5. Consider buying an amplified antenna. If you don't have cable, you have to worry about reception. Depending on your location, you may find a lot of channels to watch tv on your computer, or you may get only a few. An amplified antenna that boosts the signal can help you get more hdtv channels.
Tags: your computer, amplified antenna, card device, card will, come with
